You all know the good old Christmas carols that you hear every year, but how many of you know one in Spanish? I don’t mean a translation of one of ours. I mean an original in Spanish. The following is my translation of my favorite. An interesting side note is that I know some five Christmas carols in Spanish, and two of these are concerned with inviting strangers home at Christmas. I know not one in English that does this.
I hope you enjoy it.
Canción para la Navidad
Navidad es Navidad. Toda la tierra se alegra,
Y se entristece la mar.
Marinero, ¿a dónde vas?
Deja tus redes y reza.
Mira la estrella pasar.
Marinero, marinero, haz de tu barco un
altar,
Marinero, marinero, porque llegó Navidad.
Noches blancas de hospital,
Deja el llanto esta noche.
El Niño está por llegar.
Caminante sin hogar,
Ven a mi casa esta noche,
Que mañana Dios dirá.
Caminante, caminante, deja tu alforja llenar.
Caminante, caminante, porque llegó
Navidad.
El soldado vuelve ya para curar sus heridas,
Para prestarte la paz.
Navidad es Navidad. Toda la tierra se alegra,
Y se entristece la mar.
Marinero, marinero, haz de tu barco un altar,
Marinero, marinero, porque llegó Navidad.
Marinero, marinero, haz de tu barco un altar,
Marinero, marinero, deja el odio y ven
conmigo,
Porque llegó Navidad.
Christmas Song
(Translation from Spanish)
Christmas is Christmas. All the earth
rejoices,
And the sea becomes sad.
Fisherman, where are you going?
Leave your nets and pray.
Watch the star pass.
Fisherman, make of your boat an altar,
Fisherman, because Christmas is here.
White hospital nights,
Stop the weeping tonight.
The Divine Child is about to arrive.
Homeless wanderer,
Come to my house tonight,
Only God knows what will come tomorrow.
Wanderer, let your knapsack fill up.
Wanderer, because Christmas is here.
The soldier returns now to heal his wounds,
That this may bring you peace.
Christmas is Christmas. All the earth
rejoices.
And the sea becomes sad.
Fisherman, make of your boat an altar,
Fisherman, because Christmas is here.
Fisherman, make of your boat an altar,
Fisherman, leave hatred behind and come
with me,
Because Christmas is here.
