http://lyricstranslate.com/en/ríu-ríu-chíu-riu-riu-chiu-riu-riu-chiu.html#ixzz522lP7rOt
A Spanish Christmas carol (villancico) dating from the 16th century. "ríu ríu chíu" apparently represents the call of a kingfisher, which could be a metaphor for God protecting the Virgin Mary from the devil. In keeping with this metaphor, the ambiguous second line can be loosely interpreted as "The river bank is protected", although other interpretations are possible.
Riu Riu Chiu
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank is protected
God has kept the wolf
From our ewe lamb
God has kept the wolf
From our ewe lamb
The rabid wolf
Wanted to bite her
But Almighty God
Knew how to defend her
He willed to make her
Unable to sin
Even original sin
This virgin did not have
Riu, riu, chiu...
The one who is born
Is the Great Monarch
Christ the Patriarch
Clothed in flesh
He has redeemed us
By making himself small
Though he was infinite
He became finite
Riu, riu, chiu...
He comes to give
Life to the dead
He comes to repair
The fall of all mankind
This Child
Is the light of day
He is the Lamb
Of whom St. John spoke
Riu, riu, chiu...
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
Riu, riu, chiu...
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
Riu, riu, chiu...