The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
El lobo rabioso la quiso morder,
mas Dios poderoso la supo defender;
Quisole hazer que no pudiesse pecar,
ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Este qu'es nascido es el gran monarca,
Cristo patriarca de carne vestido;
Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito,
aunqu'era infinito, finito se hizera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Muchas profecias lo han profetizado,
y aun en nuestros dias lo hemos alcancado.
A Dios humanadp vemos en el suelo,
y al hombre nel cielo porqu'er le quisiera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan catando,
por aqui bolando, haciendo mil sones,
diziendo a gascones Gloria sea en el cielo,
y paz en el suelo qu'es Jesus nascieta.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Este viene a dar a los muertos vida
y viene a reparar de todos la caida;
es la luz del dia aqueste mocuelo;
este es el cordero que San Juan dixera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Pues que ya tenemos lo que desseamos,
todos juntos vamos presentes llevemos;
Todos le daremos nuestra voluntad,
pues a se igualar con el hombre viniera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
English:
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
The rabid wolf tried to bite her,
But God Almightly knew how to defend her,
He wished to create her impervious to sin,
Nor was this maid to embody original sin.
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
He comes to give life to the dead,
He comes to redeem the fall of man;
This Child is the light of day,
He is the very Lamb Saint John prophecied.
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
A thousand singing herons I saw passing,
Flying overhead, sounding a thousand voices,
Exhulting, "Glory be in the heavens, and peace on earth,
For Jesus has been born."
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
El lobo rabioso la quiso morder,
mas Dios poderoso la supo defender;
Quisole hazer que no pudiesse pecar,
ni aun original esta Virgen no tuviera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Este qu'es nascido es el gran monarca,
Cristo patriarca de carne vestido;
Hanos redimido con se hazer chiquito,
aunqu'era infinito, finito se hizera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Muchas profecias lo han profetizado,
y aun en nuestros dias lo hemos alcancado.
A Dios humanadp vemos en el suelo,
y al hombre nel cielo porqu'er le quisiera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Yo vi mil Garzones que andavan catando,
por aqui bolando, haciendo mil sones,
diziendo a gascones Gloria sea en el cielo,
y paz en el suelo qu'es Jesus nascieta.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Este viene a dar a los muertos vida
y viene a reparar de todos la caida;
es la luz del dia aqueste mocuelo;
este es el cordero que San Juan dixera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
Pues que ya tenemos lo que desseamos,
todos juntos vamos presentes llevemos;
Todos le daremos nuestra voluntad,
pues a se igualar con el hombre viniera.
Riu, riu chiu, la guarda ribera,
Dios guardo el lobo de nuestra cordera.
English:
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
The rabid wolf tried to bite her,
But God Almightly knew how to defend her,
He wished to create her impervious to sin,
Nor was this maid to embody original sin.
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
He comes to give life to the dead,
He comes to redeem the fall of man;
This Child is the light of day,
He is the very Lamb Saint John prophecied.
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
A thousand singing herons I saw passing,
Flying overhead, sounding a thousand voices,
Exhulting, "Glory be in the heavens, and peace on earth,
For Jesus has been born."
Riu, riu, chiu
The river bank protects it,
As God kept the wolf from the lamb.
Lyrics submitted by TheFoo, edited by Mellow_Harsher
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