Riu Riu Chiu: Rehearsal Aids

For Montana Christmas! 2022. This is a Spanish piece from the Renaissance era. Attributed to Mateo Flecha the Elder (1481-1553) The song has lots of verses. I’ve selected the ones below. The “chorus” is the only text that the whole choir will sing. Each verse will be for solo singers. So even though this looks really scary, the chorus parts are going to be quick to learn!

The first 11 seconds are particularly useful for learning the Spanish in rhythm. See the instructions just below for how to slow down the video playback to 50% speed, which makes it even easier. The first 11 seconds are the most helpful.

CHORUS Riu, riu, chiu La guarda ribera Dios guarde el lobo De nuestra cordera.	CHORUS Riu, riu, chiu The river bank is protected God has kept the wolf From our ewe lamb
VERSE 1 Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan cantando / Por aqui volando haciendo mil sones / Diciendo a gascones Gloria sea en el Cielo / Y paz en el suelo pues Jesus nasciera.	VERSE 1 I saw a thousand Angels Who were singing Flying around Chanting in a thousand voices Saying to the shepherds Glory in Heaven And peace on earth For Jesus is born
VERSE 2 Pues que ya tenemos lo que deseamos / Todos juntos vamos presentes llevemos / Todos le daremos nuestra voluntad / Pues a se igualar con nosotros viniera.	VERSE 2 Now we have What we desire Let us go together To present him gifts Let us all give him Our will For he came As our equal