Ríu Ríu [English translation]

Ríu, ríu, chíu1, the kingfisher,

God kept the wolf from our Lamb

God kept the wolf from our Lamb. [x3]

The raging wolf sought to bite her,

but God Almighty knew to defend her;

He chose to make her so that she could not sin;

no original sin was found in that virgin.

Ríu, ríu, chíu, the kingfisher,

God kept the wolf from our Lamb

God kept the wolf from our Lamb. [x2]

This one that is born is the Great King,

Christ the Patriarch clothed in flesh.

He redeemed us when He made himself small,

though He was Infinite He would make himself finite.

Ríu, ríu, chíu, the kingfisher,

God kept the wolf from our Lamb

God kept the wolf from our Lamb. [x2]

1. The nonsense syllables ríu ríu chíu are often taken to represent the song of a nightingale, but are more appropriately heard as the predator call of a kingfisher.