Musings from an overworked translator

TGIF: Ríu, Chíu – RIP, Davy Jones March 2, 2012

I grew up watching reruns of The Monkees and became a huge fan. I saw them perform live several times, most notably in 1985 at Blossom Music Center. I think I still have the t-shirt somewhere… The lead singer Davy Jones died on Wednesday of a heart attack. He was always my favorite Monkees, so this video goes out to him. It is a beautiful a capella rendition of an old Spanish Christmas carol, “Ríu, Chíu.” Their voices blend really well together, and the first time I ever heard it I got chills and put it on repeat about twenty times until I could sing along with it. Critics claimed they weren’t real musicians, but anyone who can harmonize a capella (without instrumentation) is definitely a real artist. It is difficult to stay on key when you sing a capella. RIP, Davy Jones. You were always the cutest and most personable Monkee.

The English translation is:

River, roaring river, guard our homes in safety,
God has kept the black wolf from our lamb, our lady.
God has kept the black wolf from our lamb, our lady.

Raging mad to bite her, there the wolf did steal,
But our God almighty defended her with zeal.
Pure he wished to keep her so she could never sin,
That first sin of man never touched the virgin sainted.

River, roaring river…

He who’s now begotten is our mighty monarch,
Christ, our holy father, in human flesh embodied.
He has brought atonement by being born so humble,
Though he is immortal, as mortal was created.

River, roaring river…