Return to children's music

Christmas carols

Christmas carols are the songs sung in much of the Western world around Christmas, when the birth of Jesus is celebrated. It's a moment of tranquility that leads to the sweetest melodies, usually sung by children themselves in front of nativity scenes, those toy or stage sets where everyone visits the newborn.

In Spain and South America, they're called villancicos; in Central America, they're also called "aguinaldos." These are very simple compositions, like popular children's songs in general. This may be why they're so effective in being passed on from generation to generation.

It represents a fascinating event that brings together children in multiple countries, cities, and regions singing the notes of similar songs. It takes place on Christmas Eve, the eve of the Nativity, where a playful atmosphere prevails.

In almost all cultures, there is a material concern for the baby Jesus, echoing the tradition that tells of the offerings of the three wise men.

But we'll find wide variations in what's on offer: from bananas and other fruits in tropical regions to "jayacas" (a corn cake) in Venezuela...

...quinoa or chuño in highland countries. This material diversity finds a common ground in the Christmas superstructure. Of course, they also exist in French, Portuguese, and English, in almost every culture that practices the Catholic rite. It is a time of unique expression of the importance of childhood and its care, its games, and songs. Even Charles Dickens wrote a novel titled A Christmas Carol.

Here are some examples of Spanish speaking:

I am a good shepherd

This Christmas carol was sent to us by Juan Romero Villegas, from the department of Trujillo, Peru.

I'm going to the birth

I am a good shepherd

With this little sheep

I'm going to offer my love

A child who has been born

Needs care this day

Bring him food

With faith and joy

Let the child not cry

Don't stop crying

That's what I came for.

And give my offerings

Cogsworth

This exclusive Christmas carol was submitted by Ladislao Peña from Pucón, Chile.

Ding dong den

Ding dong den

The bell rings

In Jerusalem

The angel has announced it

And in the town of Bethlehem

There is a party today

From the quidulén child

Another Chilean Christmas carol, from the Iquique region

Mrs. Mrs. Marriage

I come from Pichidegna

Ride this mare of mine

Trotting into the desert

That the Child is very beautiful

I bring great security

Because Miss Triniá

And my friend has seen it

I brought you some cheese.

Measure the heifer

I ate them, Marida.

Because I couldn't even see from hunger.

Mrs. Marida

Although I used their quesillos

I bring you a sack of flour

And plenty of mote con huesillo

With this I say goodbye.

I come from Peralillo

Suando the big drop

Just to see his little boy

A Christmas carol from Puerto Rico

From the Saboruco

To the cobblestone

We come singing

The Christmas bonus

The house's back

It was flourishing

Who was born tonight

The Child Messiah

This is as far as we go

Stepping on the dew

And the stomach comes

Quite empty

To the Child Jesus

From Paraguay, they sent us a Christmas carol that depicts the daily activities of the baby Jesus, according to the rural customs of the children of that country.

They say it was in a place covered in sand

Where the baby Jesus played

Oh, hey! Oh, hey! Baby Jesus is playing now.

They say it was a covered place

Of sparse clumps of esparto grass

Where the baby Jesus played hide and seek

Oh, he! Oh, he! the baby Jesus is hidden

They say it was in a fountain of blue waters,

That the child Jesus washed his feet

Oh, hey! Oh, hey! Baby Jesus is resting now.

They say it was a small golden chair

That the child Jesus used to sit

Oh, hey! Oh, hey! Baby Jesus is playing now.

Christmas carols for babies

It can be done as a game

Giddy up, horsey

Let's go to Bethlehem

There's a party tomorrow.

And past too

Colombian version

This version has similarities to the one sung in Argentina. While the version here is reminiscent of "arroz con leche" and other popular children's songs, the Colombian version has the distinctive characteristic of sounding more indigenous. (See the sheet music.)

Let's go, little shepherds.

Let's go to Bethlehem

To see the Virgin

And the child too