Spanish Christmas Carols

Spain is full of traditions and ethnicity. Christmas song in Spanish varies from the regular ones that you hear, but the music still gets you in festival spirit. It's the coldest season of the year and you can feel the Christmas fervor all around the place. You feel a sense of warmth just being there, your spirit is tranquil with joy and abundance. It's tricky to visualize celebrating Christmas without the music of the season. Around the homes in Spain, at least, the Christmas music comes out even before the decorations do, whether you're listening to the traditional songs or modern tunes. You find that few things converse so much of the ecstasy and astonishment of the season as does music. The most frequent themes are the joy of Christmas, the birth of baby Jesus, the activities of mother Mary, and the adoration of the three kings and the visit of shepherds to the manger. In certain places, groups of natives or children go from house to house through the streets singing Christmas carols and wishing Merry Christmas to neighbors in exchange for coins or Christmas sweets. Fortunately, the songs of Christmas transcend borders, languages, and cultures. The Spanish-speaking world also has its share of traditional carols; among the most popular Spanish carols is ‘Los peces en el río'.

Christmas Carols of Spain

The Fishes In The River - Lyrics

English Translation
The Virgin is combing her hair
between the curtains.
Her hairs are of gold
and the comb of fine silver.

Chorus:
But look at how the fishes
in the river drink.
But look how they drink
in order to see God born.
They drink and they drink
and they return to drink,
the fishes in the river,
to see God being born.

The Virgin washes diapers
and hangs them on the rosemary,
the birdies singing
and the rosemary flowering.

Chorus:
The virgin is washing herself
with a little bit of soap.
Her hands have been irritated,
the hands of my heart.

Here is another Christmas carol that can be found in the Spanish Hymns.
Below is the English version of Far, far away on Judea's plains

Far, Far Away On Judea's Plains - Lyrics

English Translation
Far, far away on Judea's plains,
Shepherds of old
Heard the joyous strains:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Sweet are these strains
Of redeeming love,
Message of mercy from heaven above:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,

Lord, with the angels
We too would rejoice,
Help us to sing with
The heart and voice:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Hasten the time when,
From every clime,
Men shall unite
In the strains sublime:
Glory to God, Glory to God,
Glory to God in the highest:
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men;
Peace on earth,
Good-will to men!

Silent Night - Lyrics

English Translation
Silent night! Holy night!
All's asleep, one sole light,
Just the faithful and holy pair,
Lovely boy-child with curly hair,
Sleep in heavenly peace!
Sleep in heavenly peace!

Silent night! Holy night!
God's Son laughs, o how bright.
Love from your holy lips shines clear,
As the dawn of salvation draws near,
Jesus, Lord, with your birth!
Jesus, Lord, with your birth!

Silent night! Holy night!
Brought the world peace tonight,
From the heavens' golden height
Shows the grace of His holy might
Jesus, as man on this earth!
Jesus, as man on this earth!

Silent night! holy night!
Where today all the might
Of His fatherly love us graced
And then Jesus, as brother embraced.
All the peoples on earth!
All the peoples on earth!

Silent night! Holy night!
Long we hoped that He might,
As our Lord, free us of wrath,
Since times of our fathers He hath
Promised to spare all mankind!
Promised to spare all mankind!

Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds first see the sight.
Told by angelic Alleluia,
Sounding everywhere, both near and far:
"Christ the Savior is here!"
"Christ the Savior is here!"