Description
Ríu, ríu, chíu is a lively and colourful 16th c. Christmas carol from Spain, sometimes attributed to Mateo Flecha el Viejo (1481-1553), but often identified simply as anonymous. The song, in the form of a villancico, adds the vivia symbolism of river, kingfisher, wolf, and lamb, to a depiction of the Nativity.
The characteristic flavour of the original song comes from its toneset (a dorian/aeolian hexachord in the melody, with fluctuation between dorian and aeolian in the 4-part refrain) and syncopated rhythms with imitative entries in irregular meter. This composition by Sam Vander Woude retains the Renaissance character while adding syncopation in accompaniment figures, and hints of Medieval organum, all enhanced by brilliant (and sometimes saucy) effects from the percussion.
The original song has become a popular addition to choral repertoire, and has been recorded on Christmas albums by diverse groups from Early Music specialists such as the Oxford Camerata and Chanticleer, to popular musicians such as The Monkees, Fred Penner, and Bruce Cockburn.
