Notes

"Los peces en el río” is a classic Christmas carol known throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In all likelihood, the original carol emerged in Medieval times and had secular lyrics, but throughout the centuries, the lively melody has come to be synonymous with the holidays. This 2-part arrangement features a lively accompaniment that makes allusions to the classic seasonal masterpieces Messiah, by G. F. Handel, and Ballad of the Brown King, by Margaret Bonds, as well as several Latin American musical styles.

The accompaniment is available in both piano and string ensemble arrangements; it is possible to perform the piece with both versions simultaneously, as with the premiere performance above.

Text

La virgen se está peinando entre cortina y cortina.
Sus cabellos son de oro, y el peine de plata fina.

CHORUS
Pero mira como beben los peces en el río,
pero mira como beben por ver a Dios nacido.
Beben y beben y vuelven a beber,
los peces en el río por ver a Dios nacer.

La virgen está lavando y tendiendo el romero,
Los pajaritos cantando y el romero floreciendo.

CHORUS

La virgen se está lavando con un poco de jabón, (ooh, ooh)
Se la han picado las manos, manos de mi corazón. (ooh, ooh)

CHORUS (x2)

Performances and Recordings

• 19 December 2021: Premiere performance by the Boston Children’s Chorus and Eureka Ensemble (Boston, MA)

• 17-18 December 2022: Performances by the San Antonio Chamber Choir and the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio (San Antonio, TX), Richard Bjella conducting