The zambombas are in full swing in Jerez right now. I wish I were there. So, here is a villancico. First the words then a video then an activity for you.
Cantaba José
Villancico
Descansando al lado de un pozo,
a la sombra de un ciprés,
los pastores se han parado
antes de llegar a Belén.
Cantaba José, María lavaba,
tendiendo los trapos pa’ que se secarán.
Pa’ que se secaran, pa’ que se secaran,
el niño dormía, José le cantaba.
Una pareja de ángeles
llegaron a toda prisa,
a ver al niño divino
y a darle los buenos días.
Cantaba José, María lavaba,
tendiendo los trapos pa’ que se secarán.
Pa’ que se secaran, pa’ que se secaran,
el niño dormía, José le cantaba.
Estando todos los pastores
haciendo de centinela,
adorando al rey del cielo
sobre su cuna más bella.
Cantaba José, María lavaba,
tendiendo los trapos pa’ que se secarán.
Pa’ que se secaran, pa’ que se secaran,
el niño dormía, José le cantaba.
Con su niño en las rodillas
José le estaba cantando,
mientras María lavaba
en un arroyo cercano.
Cantaba José, María lavaba,
tendiendo los trapos pa’ que se secarán.
Pa’ que se secaran, pa’ que se secaran,
el niño dormía, José le cantaba.
You can hear this song at 2:30 in the video below. By the way, can you spot the zambomba, friction drum used to accompany Christmas carols, in the video?
Joseph Sang
Christmas Song
Resting by a well,
under the shade of a cyprus,
the shepherds stopped
before arriving in Bethlehem.
Joseph sang, Mary washed,
hanging the towels.
So that they would dry, so that they would dry,
the baby slept, Joseph sang to him.
A pair of angels
arrived as soon as they could,
to see the divine child
and to tell him good morning.
Joseph sang, Mary washed,
hanging the towels.
So that they would dry, so that they would dry,
the baby slept, Joseph sang to him.
With all of the shepherds present
keeping watch,
adoring the King of Heaven
in his beautiful crib.
Joseph sang, Mary washed,
hanging the towels.
So that they would dry, so that they would dry,
the baby slept, Joseph sang to him.
His child in his lap
Joseph was singing,
while Mary washed clothes
in the stream nearby.
Joseph sang, Mary washed
hanging up the towels to dry.
So that they would dry,
the baby slept, Joseph sang to him.
An Activity For You
You must have noticed how the words go across the screen and are highlighted karaoke-style in the video. Why not try singing along?
To add more challenge, play palmas while you sing!
Let me know how it goes in the comments below.
