Campana sobre campana

1. Campana sobre campana,
y sobre campana una;
asómate a esa ventana,
verás a un Niño en la cuna.

Belén, campanas de Belén,
que los ángeles tocan
¿qué nuevas me traéis?

Recogido tu rebaño
¿a dónde vas pastorcito?
Voy a llevar al portal
requesón, manteca y vino.

Belén, campanas de Belén,
que los ángeles tocan
¿qué nuevas me traéis?

2. Campana sobre campana
y sobre campana dos;
asómate a esa ventana,
porque está naciendo Dios.

Belén, campanas de Belén,
que los ángeles tocan
¿qué nuevas me traéis?

Caminando a media noche
¿dónde caminas pastor?
Le llevo al Niño que nace,
como a Dios mi corazón.

Belén, campanas de Belén,
que los ángeles tocan
¿qué nuevas me traéis?

3. Campana sobre campana
y sobre campana tres;
en una cruz a esta hora
el Niño va a padecer.

Belén, campanas de Belén,
que los ángeles tocan
¿qué nuevas me traéis?

Si aún las estrellas alumbran,
pastor ¿dónde quieres ir?
Voy al portal por si el Niño
con Él me deja morir.

Belén, campanas de Belén,
que los ángeles tocan
¿qué nuevas me traéis?

Villancico Andaluz tradicional
(Traditional Andalusian carol)

Pastores a Belén vamos con alegría

Pastores a Belén, vamos con alegría,
que ha nacido ya el Hijo de María.

¡Allí! ¡Allí! Nos espera Jesús.

¡Allí! ¡Allí! Nos convida su luz.

Llevemos, pues, turrones y miel,
para ofrecer al Niño Emanuel.
Llevemos, pues, turrones y miel,
para ofrecer al Niño Emanuel.

Vamos, vamos, vamos a ver,
vamos a ver a recién nacido,
Vamos, vamos, vamos a ver,

vamos a ver al Niño Emanuel.

¡Oh niño celestial! Bendice a los pastores
que corren al portal, cantando sus loores.

Corred, volad, sus glorias alcanzad. (2x)

Ofrece a mil, amor y virtud.
Traed, zagal, al Niño Jesús. (2)

Vamos, vamos, vamos a ver,
vamos a ver a recién nacido,
Vamos, vamos, vamos a ver,

vamos a ver al Niño Emanuel.

Traditional Puerto Rican carol

Riu, Riu, Chiu

Refrain:

Riu, riu, chiu
La guarda ribera
Dios guarde el lobo
De nuestra cordera.

El lobo rabioso la quiso morder,
Mas Dios poderoso la supo defender;
Quisole hazer que no pudiesse pecar,
Ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera. (Refrain)

Este qu'es nascido es el gran monarca,
Cristo patriarca de carne vestido;
Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito,
Aunqu'era infinito, finito se hizera. (Refrain)

Muchas profecias lo han profetizado,
Y aun en nuestros dias lo hemos alcancado.
A Dios humanado vemos en el suelo
Y al hombre nel cielo porqu'er le quisiera. (Refrain)

Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan cantando,
Por aqui bolando, haciendo mil sones,
Diziendo a gascones Gloria sea en el cielo,
Y paz en el suelo qu'es Jesus nascieta. (Refrain)

Este viene a dar a los muertos vida
Y viene a reparar de todos la caida;
Es la luz del dia aqueste mocuelo;
Este es el cordero que San Juan dixera. (Refrain)

Pues que ya tenemos lo que desseamos,
Todos juntos vamos presentes llevemos;
Todos le daremos nuestra voluntad,
Pues a se igualar con el hombre viniera. (Refrain)

Words & Music: 16th c. Spanish villancico

Los Peces en el Río

(1) La Virgen se está peinando
Entre cortina y cortina
Sus cabellos son de oro
Y el peine de plata fina (Estribillo)

Estribillo

Pero mira cómo beben los peces en el río
Pero mira cómo beben por ver al Dios nacido
Beben y beben y vuelven a beber
Los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer

(2) La Virgen está lavando
Y tendiendo en el romero
Los angelitos cantando
Y el romero florecido  (Estribillo)

(3) La Virgen está lavando
Con un poquito de jabón
Se le picaron las manos
Manos de mi corazón  (Estribillo)

Traditional Spanish carol

Fum, Fum, Fum (Catalan)

A vint-i-cinc de desembre
fum, fum, fum (bis)
Ha nascut un minyonet
ros i blanquet, ros i blanquet;
Fill de la Verge Maria,
n'és nat en una establia.
Fum, fum, fum.

Allí dalt de la muntanya
fum, fum, fum (bis)
Si n'hi ha dos pastorets
abrigadets, abrigadets;
amb la pell i la samarra,
menjant ous i botifarra.
Fum, fum, fum.

Qui dirà més gran mentida?
Fum, fum, fum (bis)
Ja en respon el majoral
el gran tabal, el gran tabal;
jo en faré deu mil camades
amb un salt totes plegades.
Fum, fum, fum.

A vint-i-cinc de desembre
fum, fum, fum (bis)
n'és el dia de Nadal,
molt principal, molt principal,
quan n'eixirem de matines,
farem bones escudines.
Fum, fum, fum.

Déu vos do unes santes festes
fum, fum, fum (bis)
amb temps de fred i calor,
i molt millor, i molt millor
fent-ne de Jesús memòria
perquè ens vulgui dalt la glòria.
Fum, fum, fum.

Traditional Catalan Carol (16th/17th century)

ليلة الميلاد Laylat Al-Milad (The Night of Christmas)

Refrain

ليلة الميلاد يمحى البغضُ
ليلة الميلاد تزهر الأرضُ
ليلة الميلاد تدفن الحربُ
ليلة الميلاد ينبت الحبُ

عندما نسقي عطشان كأس ماء ___نكون في الميلاد
عندما نكسي عريان ثوب حب___نكون في الميلاد
عندما نكفكف الدموع في العيون ___نكون في الميلاد
عندما نفرش القلوب بالرجاء ___نكون في الميلاد

عندما أُقبّلُ رفيقي دون غش ___نكون في الميلاد
عندما تموت فـيّ روح الإنتقام ___نكون في الميلاد
عندما يرمـد فيّ قلبي الجفا _____نكون في الميلاد
عندما تذوب نفسي في كيان الله ___نكون في الميلاد

Laylat al-Milad ... yummahah-l-bughdou
Laylat al-Milad ... tuzhiru-l-ardou
Laylat al-Milad ... tudfanou-l-harbou
Laylat al-Milad ... yanbutou-l-hubbou.

1. 'Indama nusqee 'atshan ka'sa ma' ... nakoonu fi-l-milad
'Indama naksoo 'uryan thaowba hub ... nakoonu fi-l-milad
'Indama nukafkifu-d-dumoo' fi-l-'uyoon ... nakoonu fi-l-milad
'Indama nafrishu-l-qulooba bi-r-raja' ... nakoonu fi-l-milad.

2. 'Indama uqabbilou rafeeqi douna ghush ... akoonu fi-l-milad
'Indama tamootu fiyya roohu-l-intiqam ... akoonu fi -l-milad
'Indama yarqudu fi qalbi-ya-l-jafa ... akoonu fi-l-milad
'Indama tamootu nafsi fi kiyan il-lah ... akoonu fi-l-milad.

English Translation:

Refrain

On the night of Christmas ... Hatred will vanish
On the night of Christmas ... The Earth blooms
On the night of Christmas ... War is buried
On the night of Christmas ... Love is born

1. When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person, we are in Christmas
When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love, we are in Christmas
When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes, we are in Christmas
When we cushion a hopeless heart with love, we are in Christmas

2. When I kiss a friend without hypocrisy, I am in Christmas
When the spirit of revenge dies in me, I am in Christmas
When hardness is gone from my heart, I am in Christmas
When my soul melts in the Being of God, I am in Christmas

Arabic Christmas Carol

聖夜靜歌 (聖夜清，聖夜靜) [Sheng Ye Qing, Sheng Ye Jing] (Holy Night, Blessed Night)

聖夜靜歌 (聖夜清，聖夜靜)

(1) 聖夜清 聖夜靜
明星燦爛 天地寧
水寂山眠 萬籟無聲
卿雲繚繞擁着伯利恆
客店馬槽誕生天嬰

(2) 聖夜清 聖夜靜
天使顯現 牧人驚
金琴玉箏 漫天歌韻
哈利路亞 山海欲齊鳴
傳報佳音 救主降生

(3) 聖夜清 聖夜靜
救主耶穌今降生
仁愛 捨身 公義 和平
聖容赫華 猶如日初升
恩光輝耀 照徹乾坤

English Paraphrase: "Holy Night, Blessed Night"


(1) Holy night, blessed night
Stars shine brightly, earth is still.
Hills and valleys, field and woodlands,
All surround the small town Bethlehem.
In a manger, Christ the Lord sleeps.


(2) Holy night, blessed night,
Angels sing praise, shepherds fear,
Earth and heaven ring with praises,
Alleluia all creation sings.
Tell the good news: Christ is born now.


(3) Holy night, blessed night
Christ has come down, dwells with us.
Sacrifice, love, peace and justice.
Shine upon us like the morning sun.
Grace and glory bless the whole world.


Text: Zhu Weiyu and Wu Jingren (1921)
English paraphrase: Kathleen Moody
Music: Shi Qigui (1982)

The "O" Antiphons: 23 December -- O Emmanuel (plainchant / Hallock)

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, expectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domine, Deus noster. O Emmanuel, our king and lawgiver, the desire of all nations and their salvation: come and save us, O Lord our God. Latin: plainchant English: Peter Hallock, 1986

The "O" Antiphons: 22 December -- O Rex Gentium / O King of Nations (plainchant / Hallock)

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti. O King of Nations, and their desire, you are the cornerstone that binds two into one: Come and save the creature, whom you have fashioned from clay. Latin: plainchant English: Peter Hallock, 1986

The "O" Antiphons: 21 December -- O Oriens / O Rising Dawn (plainchant / Hallock)

O Oriens, splendor lucis aeternae, et sol iustitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis. O Rising Dawn, brightness of the light eternal, sun of righteousness: come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Latin: plainchant English: Peter Hallock, 1986

I Wonder As I Wander (Appalachia/USA)

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all
But high from God's heaven, a star's light did fall
And the promise of ages it then did recall.

If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing
A star in the sky or a bird on the wing
Or all of God's Angels in heaven to sing
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King

I wonder as I wander out under the sky
How Jesus the Saviour did come for to die
For poor on'ry people like you and like I;
I wonder as I wander out under the sky

Appalachian folk carol, adapted/expanded by John Jacob Niles

The "O" Antiphons: 20 December -- O Clavis David/O Key of David (plainchant / Hallock)

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;
qui aperis, et nemo claudit;
claudis, et nemo aperit:
veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris,
sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

O Key of David, and sceptre of the house of Israel;
you open and no one closes;
you close and no one opens:
come and deliver us from the chains of prison,
we who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

Latin: plainchant
English: Peter Hallock, 1986

The "O" Antiphons: 19 December -- O Radix Jesse/O Root of Jesse (plainchant / Hallock)

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum,
super quem continebunt reges os suum,
quem Gentes deprecabuntur:
veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

O Root of Jesse, you stand as an ensign to the people;
before you kings shall keep silence,
all nations bow in worship:
come and save us, and do not delay.

Latin: plainchant
English: Peter Hallock (1986)

Venez, divin Messie (France)

See also the English translation: O Come Divine Messiah

Refrain:

Venez, divin Messie,
Sauvez nos jours infortunés;
Vous êtes notre vie,
Venez, venez, venez!

1. Ah! descendez, hâtez vous pas,
Sauvez les hommes du trépas,
Secourez nous, ne tardez pas.
Voyez couler nos larmes.
Grand Dieu! Si vous nous pardonnez,
Nous n'aurons plus d'alarmes:
Venez, venez, venez!

(Refrain)

2. Ah! désarmez votre courroux,
Nous soupirons à vos genoux,
Seigneur, nous n'espérons qu'en vous.
Pour nous livrer la guerre,
Tous les enfers sont déchaînés;
Descendez sur la terre,
Venez, venez, venez!

(Refrain)

3. Que nos soupirs soient entendus!
Les biens que nous avons perdu
Ne nous seront-ils pas rendus?
Seigneur, Vos saints oracles
A tous les siècles étonnés
Promirent ces miracles,
Venez, venez, venez!

(Refrain)

4. Si vous venez en ces bas lieux,
Nous vous verrons victorieux,
Fermer l'enfer, ouvrir les cieux.
Nous l'espérons sans cesse;
Les cieux nous furent destinés:
Tenez Votre promesse;
Venez, venez, venez!

(Refrain)

5. Ah! puissions-nous chanter un jour,
Dans Votre bienheureuse cour,
Et Votre gloire et votre amour!
C'est là l'heureux partage
De ceux que vous prédestinez:
Donnez-nous-en la gage:
Venez, venez, venez!

(Refrain)

See also the English translation: O Come Divine Messiah

Text: Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, 1663-1745

The "O" Antiphons: 18 December -- "O Adonai" (plainchant / Hallock)

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel,
qui Moysi in igne flammae rubi apparuisti,
et ei in Sina legem dedisti:
veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.

O Adonai, ruler of the House of Israel,
you appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush:
on Mount Sinai you gave him your law:
with outsretched arm, come and redeem us.

Latin: plainchant
English: Peter Hallock, 1986

Angelus ad virginem

1. Angelus ad virginem
Subintrans in conclave.
Virginis formidinum
Demulcens inquit "Ave."
Ave regina virginum,
Coeliteraeque dominum
Concipies
Et paries
Intacta,
Salutem hominum.
Tu porta coeli facta
Medella criminum.

2. Quomodo conciperem,
quae virum non cognovi?
Qualiter infringerem,
quae firma mente vovi?
'Spiritus sancti gratia
Perficiet haec omnia;
Ne timaes,
sed gaudeas,
secura,
quod castimonia
Manebit in te pura
Dei potentia.'

3. Ad haec virgo nobilis
Respondens inquit ei;
Ancilla sum humilis
Omnipotentis Dei.
Tibi coelesti nuntio,
Tanta secreti conscio,
Consentiens
Et cupiens
Videre
factum quod audio,
Parata sum parere
Dei consilio.

4. Angelus disparuit
Etstatim puellaris
Uterus intumuit
Vi partus salutaris.
Qui, circumdatus utero
Novem mensium numero,
Hinc Exiit
Et iniit
Conflictum,
Affigens humero
Crucem, qua dedit ictum
Hosti mortifero.

5. Eia Mater Domini,
Quae pacem reddidisti
Angelis et homini,
Cum Christum genuisti;
Tuem exora filium
Ut se nobis propitium
Exhibeat,
Et deleat
Peccata;
Praestans auxilium
Vita frui beta
Post hoc exsilium.

Text: Mediaeval 13th century Latin carol

Birjina gaztetto bat zegoen (Gabriel's Message/The Angel Gabriel) [Basque]

English translation (Sabine Baring-Gould): Gabriel's Message/The Angel Gabriel

Birjina gaztetto bat zegoen
Kreazale Jaonaren othoitzen,
Nuiz et'aingürü bat lehiatü
Beitzen zelütik jaitxi
Mintzatzera haren.

Aingüria sartzen, diolarik:
«Agur, graziaz zira betherik,
Jaona da zurekin, benedikatü
Zira eta haitatü
Emazten gañetik».

Maria ordian dülüratü,
Eta bere beithan gogaratü
Zeren zian uste gabe ebtzüten
Hura agur erraiten.
Hanbat zen lotsatü.

«Etzitela, ez, lotsa, Maria;
Jinkoatan bathü'zü grazia:
Zük düzü sabelian ernatüren,
Eta haor bat sorthüren
Jesüs datiana».

Harek, dülüratürik, harzara:
«Bena nula izan daite hola,
Eztüdanaz gizunik ezagützen,
Ez eta ezagütüren
Batere seküla?».

«Ezpiritü saintiak huntia
Izanen düzü hori, Maria».
Zü zirateke, ber ordian, ama
Bai et'ere birjina,
Mündian bakhoitza.

Mariak arrapostü ordian:
«Hao naizü Jinkoren zerbütxian,
Zük errana nitan biz konplitü».
Jaona aragitü
Haren sabelian.

O Jinkoaren ama saintia,
Bekhatügilen ürgaitzarria,
Zük gitzatzü lagünt, bai Jinkoaren,
Baita berthütiaren
Bihotzez maithatzen.

English translation (Sabine Baring-Gould): Gabriel's Message/The Angel Gabriel

Traditional Basque Carol

The "O" Antiphons: 17 December -- O Sapientia (plainchant) / O Wisdom (Hallock)

O Sapientia, quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti,
attingens a fine usque ad finem,
fortiter suaviter disponensque omnia:
veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.

O Wisdom, you came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
and reach from one end of the earth to the other,
mightily and sweetly ordering all things:
come and teach us the way of prudence.

Latin: plainchant
English: Peter Hallock (1986)

Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree (England)

The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the applle tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I'm weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Words: Joshua Smith (1784)
Music: Elizabeth Poston

Ábranse los cielos

1. Ábranse los cielos, lluevan al Mesías,
que es nuestro consuelo,
nuestro Redentor.
Claman los collados:
“Ven ya, Salvador”;
los sedientos prados: “Llega, Redentor”.
Y el erial sin río pide ya el rocío.
Ábranse los cielos, lluevan al Mesías,
que es nuestro consuelo,
nuestro Redentor.

2. ¡Oh sol del Oriente,
claro más que el día;
la noche sombría ced al resplandor!
Huella las tinieblas de muerte y horror,
a fundir las nieblas venga tu fulgor;
que el desierto es largo
y el destierro amargo.
Ábranse los cielos, lluevan al Mesías,
que es nuestro consuelo,
nuestro Redentor.

3. Un yermo es la tierra,
zarzas sólo brotan.
El vivir es guerra de la humanidad.
Broten ya las flores en nuestra heredad.
Cedan los rigores de la adversidad.
y la tierra ría viendo el nuevo día.
Ábranse los cielos, lluevan al Mesías,
que es nuestro consuelo,
nuestro Redentor.

Letra/text: villancico Adviento tradicional
Tune/música:Nöel Suisse/villancico francés

Night of Silence

Cold are the people, Winter of life,
We tremble in shadows this cold endless night,
Frozen in the snow lie roses sleeping,
Flowers that will echo the sunrise,
Fire of hope is our only warmth,
Weary, its flame will be dying soon.

Voice in the distance, call in the night,
On wind you enfold us you speak of the light,
Gentle on the ear you whisper softly,
Rumors of a dawn so embracing,
Breathless love awaits darkened souls,
Soon will we know of the morning.

Spirit among us, Shine like the star,
Your light that guides shepherds and kings from afar,
Shimmer in the sky so empty, lonely,
Rising in the warmth of your Son's love,
Star unknowing of night and day,
Spirit we wait for your loving Son.

Composer: Daniel Kantor (1984)

People Look East

 










1. People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.

2. Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in course the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.

3. Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen
God for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the bird, is on the way.

4. Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the star, is on the way.

5. Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
Christ who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.

Text: Eleanor Farjeon (1928)
Tune: BESANCON, 87.98.87

Carol of the Stranger

Peace and grace be to this house
Where all are welcomed in;
Receive the guest, receive this heart:
Tell the Stranger, tell.

Tell the Stranger what you cannot tell
Those who love you and desire your joy:
Tell.

Make tall your walls, make long these beams,
Who once believed alone;
Make wide the circle, feed the fire:
Tell the Silence, tell.

Tell the Silence what you cannot tell
Those who love you and desire your joy.
Tell.

Blessings be upon this place,
Let every wound be healed,
Let every secret, every dream:
Tell the Angel, tell.

Tell the Angel what you cannot tell
Those who love you and desire your joy.
Tell.

Peace and grace be to this house,
All will be returned;
Let every soul be called your own,
Tell the Mystery, tell.

Tell the Mystery what you long to tell
Those who love you and desire your joy.
Tell.

Text: Michael Dennis Browne
Music: Abbie Betinis

Conditor alme siderum

See also the English translation: Creator of the Stars of Night

Conditor alme siderum
aetérna lux credéntium
Christe redémptor
ómnium exáudi preces súpplicum

Qui cóndolens intéritu
mortis perire saeculum
salvásti mundum languidum
donnas reis remedium.

Vergénte mundi véspere
uti sponsus de thálamo
egréssus honestissima
Virginis matris cláusula.

Cuius forti ponténtiae
genu curvántur ómnia
caeléstia, terréstia
nutu faténtur súbdita.

Te, Sancte fide quáesumus,
venture iudex sáeculi,
consérva nos in témpore
hostis a telo perfidi.

Sit, Christe rex piissime
tibi Patríque glória
cum Spíritu Paráclito
in sempitérna sáecula.
Amen.

See also the English translation: Creator of the Stars of Night

Text: 7th century Advent Vespers hymn
Tune: Plainchant, Mode IV

Advent Matin Responsory (I Look From Afar)

V: I look from afar:
R: And lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth.

V: Go ye out to meet him and say:
R: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel?

V: High and low, rich and poor, One with another,
R: Go ye out to meet him and say:

V: Hear, O thou shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.
R: Tell us, art thou he that should come?

V: Stir up thy strength, O Lord, and come
R: To reign over thy people Israel.

V: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
R: I look from afar: and lo, I see the power of God coming, and a cloud covering the whole earth.

V: Go ye out to meet him and say:
R: Tell us, art thou he that should come to reign over thy people Israel?