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

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

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

O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf (Germany)

See also the English translation: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide

O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf,
Herab, herab, vom Himmel lauf!
Reiß ab vom Himmel Tor und Tür,
Reiß ab, wo Schloß und Riegel für!

O Gott, ein’ Tau vom Himmel gieß;
Im Tau herab, o Heiland, fließ.
Ihr Wolken, brecht und regnet aus
Den König über Jakobs Haus.

O Erd’, schlag aus, schlag aus, o Erd’,
Daß Berg und Tal grün alles werd’
O Erd’, herfür dies Blümlein bring,
O Heiland, aus der Erden spring.

Wo bleibst du, Trost der ganzen Welt,
Darauf sie all’ ihr’ Hoffnung stellt?
O komm, ach komm vom höchsten Saal,
Komm tröst uns hie im Jammertal.

O klare Sonn’, du schöner Stern,
Dich wollten wir anschauen gern.
O Sonn’, geh auf, ohn’ deinen Schein
In Finsternis wir alle sein.

Hie leiden wir die größte Not,
Vor Augen steht der ewig’ Tod;
Ach komm, führ uns mit starker Hand
Vom Elend zu dem Vaterland.

Da wollen wir all’ danken dir,
Unserm Erlöser, für und für.
Da wollen wir all’ loben dich
Je allzeit immer und ewiglich.

See also the English translation: O Savior, Rend the Heavens Wide

Paraphrase of Rorate caeli desuper

Text: Friedrich Spee (1622)
Tune: Rheinfelsisches Gesangbuch (1666)

Here is the Little Door

1. Here is the little door,
lift up the latch, oh lift!
We need not wander more,
but enter with our gift;
Our gift of finest gold.
Gold that was never bought or sold;
Myrrh to be strewn about his bed;
Incense in clouds about His head;
All for the child that stirs not in His sleep,
But holy slumber hold with ass and sheep.

2. Bend low about His bed,
For each He has a gift;
See how His eyes awake,
Lift up your hands, O lift!
For gold, He gives a keen-edged sword.
(Defend with it thy little Lord!)
For incense, smoke of battle red,
Myrrh for the honored happy dead;
Gifts for His children, terrible and sweet;
Touched by such tiny hands,
and Oh such tiny feet


Words: Francis Chesterton (1874-1936)
Music: Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

Maria durch ein' Dornwald ging (Germany)

See also the English translation: Mary Walked Through A Wood of Thorn

Maria durch ein' Dornwald ging.
Kyrie eleison!
Maria durch ein' Dornwald ging,
Der hatte in sieben Jahrn kein Laub getragen!
Jesus und Maria.

Was trug Maria unter ihrem Herzen?
Kyrie eleison!
Ein kleines Kindlein ohne Schmerzen,
Das trug Maria unter ihrem Herzen!
Jesus und Maria.

Da hab'n die Dornen Rosen getragen.
Kyrie eleison!
Als das Kindlein durch den Wald getragen,
Da haben die Dornen Rosen getragen!
Jesus und Maria.

Wie soll dem Kind sein Name sein?
Kyrie eleison!
Der Name, der soll Christus sein,
Das war von Anfang der Name sein!
Jesus und Maria.

Wer soll dem Kind sein Täufer sein?
Kyrie eleison!
Das soll der Sankt Johannes sein,
Der soll dem Kind sein Täufer sein!
Jesus und Maria.

Was kriegt das Kind zum Patengeld?
Kyrie eleison!
Den Himmel und die ganze Welt,
Das kriegt das Kind zum Patengeld!
Jesus und Maria.

Wer hat erlöst die Welt allein?
Kyrie eleison!
Das hat getan das Christkindlein,
Das hat erlöst die Welt allein!
Jesus und Maria.

See also the English translation: Mary Walked Through A Wood of Thorn

Words & Music: Traditional 16th c. Germany

The Truth From Above (England)

This is the truth sent from above
The truth of God, the God of love
Therefore don't turn me from your door
But hearken will both rich and poor

The first thing that I do relate
Is that God did man create
The next thing which to you I'll tell
Woman was made with man to dwell

And after that, 'twas God's own choice
To place them both in Paradise,
There to remain of evil free
Except they ate of such a tree.

But they did eat, which was a sin,
And so their ruin did begin,
Ruined themselves, both you and me,
And all of their posterity.

Thus we were heirs to endless woes
Till God and Lord did interpose
And so a promise soon did run
That he would redeem us by his son

And at that season of the year
Our blessed redeemer did appear
He here did live and here did preach
And many thousands he did teach

Thus he in love to us behaved
To show us how we must be saved
And if you want to know the way
Be pleased to hear what he did say

Words: Traditional
Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams

O Savior, Rend The Heavens Wide

See also the German original: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf

1. O Savior, rend the heavens wide;
Come down, come down with mighty stride;
Unlock the gates, the doors break down;
Unbar the way to heaven's crown.

2. O Father, light from heaven send;
As morning dew, O Son, descend.
Drop down, you clouds, the life of spring:
To Jacob's line rain down the King.

3. O earth, in flow'ring bud be seen;
Clothe hill and dale in garb of green.
Bring forth, O earth, a blossom rare,
Our Savior, sprung from meadow fair.

4. O Fount of hope, how long, how long?
When will You come with comfort strong?
O come, O come, Your throne forego;
Console us in our vale of woe.

5. O Morning Star, O radiant Sun,
When will our hearts behold Your dawn?
O Sun, arise; without Your light
We grope in gloom and dark of night.

6. Sin's dreadful doom before us lies;
Grim death looms fierce before our eyes.
O come, lead us with mighty hand
From exile to our promised land.

7. There shall we all our praises bring
And sing to You, our Savior King;
There shall we laud You and adore
Forever and forevermore.

See also the German original: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf

Text: O Heiland, reiß die Himmel auf, by Friedrich Spee (1622), trans. Martin L. Seltz
Tune: Rheinfelsisches Gesangbuch (1666)

Lamb of God (Twila Paris)

Your only Son
No sin to hide
But You have sent Him,
From Your side
To walk upon this guilty sod
And to become the Lamb of God

Your gift of Love
They crucified
They laughed and scorned him as he died
The humble King
They named a fraud
And sacrificed the Lamb of God

Chorus:

Oh Lamb of God, Sweet lamb of God
I love the Holy Lamb of God
Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Christ the Lamb of God

I was so lost I should have died
But You have brought me to Your side
To be led by Your staff and rod
And to be call a lamb of God (Chorus)

Oh wash me in His precious Blood
My Jesus Chris the Lamb of God

Composer: Twila Paris (1985)

See my other blog postings in the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) series.

Nuit lumineuse, nuit bienheureuse (Taizé)

1. Nuit lumineuse, nuit bienheureuse, nuit où Christ descendit des cieux !
O doux mystère : Christ sur a terre, vient porter le salut de Dieu !
Vibre, mon âme ! Chante et proclame, chante ta joie !
Dieu te l’envoie, Christ le Sauveur, le Roi, Alléluia !
Plus de tristesse, plus de détresse, sois sans alarmes, sèche tes larmes :
Peuple voici ton Roi ! Alléluia !

2. Paix sur la terre : Dieu notre Père donne au monde l’enfant Jésus.
Gloire et louange, chantent les anges, Gloire au Fils, le Sauveur, l’Élu !
Nuit adorabe ! Là, dans l’ étable, pauvres et mages vont rendre hommage,
Vont saluer leur Roi. Alléluia !
Peuple fidèle, viens, Dieu t’appelle ! Plein d’allégresse, plein de tendresse,
Viens adorer ton Roi, Alléluia !

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English  

Après la longue attente (Taizé)

Après la longue attente,
Après le rude hiver,
La nouvelle éclatante
Ebranle l’univers.
Fini le dur tourment,
Le Messie va paraître,
L’annonce des prophètes

S’accomplit maintenant.
Les humbles de la terre,
Les pauvres du Seigneur
Pourront lever la tête
Et réjouir leur cœur.
L’amour de Dieu s’étend
Sur tous ceux qui le craignent,
La splendeur de son règne
Eclaire les vivants.

O Seigneur, ta puissance
Nous soutient chaque jour,
Eveillant l’espérance
De ton prochain retour.
Le désespoir n’est plus
Car ta bonté fidèle
Est la vie éternelle:
Oh! viens, Seigneur Jésus!

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English 

Voici l'Étoile du Matin (Taizé)

Voici l'Étoile du Matin
Que fait lever l'amour du divin,
Pure et sainte lumière,
Répands dans nos cœurs ta clarté,
Viens dissiper l'obscurité
Qui règne sur la terre.
Seigneur, Sauveur, Fils du Père,
Ta lumière Salutaire
Nous conduit et nous éclaire.

Tu viens Jésus pour nous chercher
dans notre nuit et nous guider
à travers nos détresses.
Tu vois nos peines, nos malheurs,
tu deviens le libérateur
du mal qui nous oppresse
Seigneur, Sauveur, Fils du Père,
ta lumière salutaire
nous conduit et nous éclaire.

Laissant la puissance et l'honneur,
tu parais comme un serviteur,
pauvre et dans la souffrance.
Tu prend sur toi tous nos péchés
et ton amour nous rend a paix,
la joie et l'espérance.
Seigneur, Sauveur, Fils du Père,
ta lumière salutaire
nous conduit et nous éclaire.

Text: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, by Philipp Nicolai

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

Beati voi poveri (Taizé)

Beati voi poveri,
perché vostro è il regno di Dio.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English

At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

Text: Ad re­gi­as Ag­ni da­pes, 6th c., tr. Robert Campbell, 1849

Tune: SALZSBURG 77.77 D, by Jakob Hintze (1622-1702)

At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Sonne der Gerechtigkeit)

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side.

Praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.

Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight
thou hast brought us life and light.

Now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.

Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.

See also: At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing (Tune: Salzburg)

Text: Ad re­gi­as Ag­ni da­pes, 6th c., tr. Robert Campbell, 1849

Tune: SONNE DER GERECHTIGKEIT, 77.77

This Is The Feast of Victory

Refrain:

This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God? (Refrain)

Power, riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessing and glory are his. (Refrain)

Sing with all the people of God
And join in the hymn of all creation. (Refrain)

Blessing and honor and glory and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. (Refrain)

For the Lamb who was slain
has begun his reign. Alleluia. (Refrain)

Text: based on Revelation 5. Text (c) Copyright 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship
Tune: FESTIVAL CANTICLE, Irr. By Richard Hillert (1975).

Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Tune: EASTER HYMN)

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!
Unto Christ, our heavenly king, Alleluia!
Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!
Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which he endured, Alleluia!
Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!
Now above the sky he’s king, Alleluia!
Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!
Praise eternal as his love; Alleluia!
Praise him, all you heavenly host, Alleluia!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Words: Paraphrase of Surrexit Christus hodie (c. 1372) in Lyra Davidica (1708)
Tune: EASTER HYMN 77.77 + Alleluias (Lyra Davidica, 1708)

The Strife is O'er

Antiphon: Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The strife is o'er, the battle done;
the victory of life is won;
the song of triumph has begun:
Alleluia!

The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed;
let shouts of holy joy outburst:
Alleluia!

The three sad days are quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead;
all glory to our risen Head!
Alleluia!

Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live, and sing to thee:
Alleluia!

Text: Finita iam sunt praelia, Latin, 12th c, tr. Francis Pott, 1832-1909
Tune: VICTORY 888 + Alleluias, by Giovanni P. da Palestrina (1525-1594), adapted by William H. Monk (1823-1889).

Hail Thee Festival Day (Easter) [Tune: SALVE FESTA DIES]

See also: Hail Thee, Festival Day (Pentecost)

Refrain:

Hail thee, festival day!
Blest day that art hallowed forever;
day wherein Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Lo, the fair beauty of earth,
from the death of the winter arising,
every good gift of the year
now with its Master returns. (Refrain)

He who was nailed to the Cross
is God and the Ruler of all things;
all things created on earth
worship the Maker of all. (Refrain)

God of all pity and power,
let thy word be assured to the doubted;
light on the third day returns:
rise, Son of God, from the tomb! (Refrain)

Ill doth it seem that thy limbs
should linger in lowly dishonor;
ransom and price of the world,
veiled from the vision of men. (Refrain)

Loosen, O Lord, the enchained,
the spirits imprisoned in darkness;
rescue, recall into life those
who are rushing to death. (Refrain)

Ill it beseemeth that thou,
by whose hand all things are encompassed,
captive and bound shouldst remain,
deep in the gloom of the rock. (Refrain)

Rise now, O Lord, from the grave
and cast off the shroud that enwrapped thee;
thou art sufficient for us;
nothing without thee exists. (Refrain)

Mourning they laid thee to rest,
who art Author of life and creation;
treading the pathway of death,
life thou bestowedst on man. (Refrain)

Show us thy face once more,
that the ages may joy in thy brightness;
give us the light of day,
darkened on earth at thy death. (Refrain)

Out of the prison of death
thou art rescuing numberless captives;
freely they tread in the way
whither their Maker has gone. (Refrain)

Jesus has harrowed hell;
he had led captivity captive;
darkness and chaos and death
flee from the face of the light. (Refrain)

See also: Hail Thee, Festival Day (Pentecost)

For a different version, see: Welcome, Happy Morning!

Text: Salve Festa Dies by Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530-c. 600/609)
Translator: Maurice Frederick Bell (The English Hymnal, 1906)

Music: SALVE FESTA DIES 79.77+Refrain, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Jesús inclinó la cabeza a la hora de nona (Taizé)

Jesús inclinó la cabeza a la hora de nona.

See my other blog postings in the "Taizé" series of chants.

Official Taizé Community Website

Wikipedia information on the Taizé Community
- in French
- in English