I’m in Lima, Peru, enjoying time with my family, so Spanish Playground is going to be quieter than usual for the next couple of weeks. Here is a post I did last year on the Spanish song for Christmas, or villancico, Noche de paz. It is a great carol for kids learning Spanish.
Language and culture are inseparable. The Catholic church has a strong presence in Spanish-speaking countries, and many traditions center around religious holidays. Through Christmas traditions and songs, children learning Spanish learn language, history, and the values and views that influence Spanish-speaking societies. If your family enjoys Christmas music, carols are an excellent way of exposing children to Spanish.
Noche de paz is the carol known as Silent Night in English. The original carol is in German, and there are several translations and variations in Spanish, just as there are in English. Some versions use more standard Spanish vocabulary and syntax, and those are a good choice for Spanish language learners. The versions below are all sung done by popular artists. The first is by a group from Spain, La Oreja de Van Gogh. The second is by the Mexican singer Luis Miguel. Both of these versions use common Spanish words.
The final video is one of the more traditional versions of the carol sung by Laura Pausini. She is an Italian artist who is also sings in Spanish and is very popular in the Spanish-speaking world.
The words and a translation follow the videos. The translations are not literary translations. They are word-for-word translations, for meaning only, and I include them here for those learning Spanish.
Noche de paz, noche de amor / Night of peace, night of love
Clara estrella brilla ya / Clear star shining now
Y los ángeles cantando están / and the angles are singing
«Gloria a Dios, gloria al rey celestial» / “Glory to God, Glory to the celestial king”
Duerme el niño Jesús / The baby Jesus is sleeping
Duerme el niño Jesús / The baby Jesus is sleeping
Noche de paz, noche de amor / Night of peace, night of love
Todo duerme alrededor. / Everything is sleeping all around
Sólo velan en la oscuridad / Only keeping watch in the darkness
Los pastores que en el campo están / are the shepards in the fields
Y la estrella en Belén / and the star in Bethlehem
Y la estrella en Belén / and the star in Bethlehem
Noche de paz, noche de amor / Night of peace, night of love
Nueva luz celestial. / New celestial light
Floreció la feliz Navidad /Christmas joy arrived
Es palabra y mensaje de paz / It is a promise and message of peace
Duerme el niño Jesús / The baby Jesus is sleeping
Duerme el niño Jesús / The baby Jesus is sleeping
Noche de paz, noche de amor, / Night of peace, night of love
todo duerme alrededor. / everything is sleeping all around.
Todo el mundo celebra con fe / The whole world celebrates with faith
a ese niño nacido en Belén, / the child born in Bethlehem
con canciones del corazón. / with heartfelt songs.
Hoy ha nacido el amor. / Today love is born.
Noche de paz, noche de amor, / Night of peace, night of love
todo duerme alrededor, / everything is sleeping all around
y los ángeles quieren cantar, / and the angles want to sing
para no despertar al Señor. / so as not to awaken the Lord.
Todo es paz y oscuridad. / All is peace and darkness.
Hoy ha nacido el amor. / Today love is born.
Noche de paz, noche de amor, / Night of peace, night of love
todo duerme alrededor, / Everything is sleeping all around
y los ángeles quieren cantar, / and the angles want to sing
para no despertar al Señor. / so as not to awaken the Lord.
Todo es paz y oscuridad. / All is peace and darkness.
Hoy ha nacido el amor. / Today love is born.
Noche de paz, noche de amor, / Night of peace, night of love
todo duerme alrededor. / Everything is sleeping all around.
Todo el mundo celebra con fe / The whole world celebrates with faith
a ese niño nacido en Belén / the child born in Bethlehem
con canciones del corazón. / with heartfelt songs.
Hoy ha vencido el amor. / Today love has won.
Noche de paz, noche de amor, / Night of peace, night of love
Todo duerme en derredor. / Everything is sleeping all around
Entre los astros que esparcen su luz / Among the stars that scatter their light
Bella, anunciando al niñito Jesús. / Beautiful, anouncing the baby Jesus,
Brilla la estrella de paz, / Shines the star of peace,
Brilla la estrella de paz. / Shines the star of peace.
Noche de paz, noche de amor / Night of peace, night of love
Todo duerme en derredor. / Everything is sleeping all around
Sólo velan en la oscuridad / Only keeping watch in the darkness
Los pastores que en el campo están / are the shepards in the fields
Y la estrella de Belén / and the star of Bethlehem
Y la estrella de Belén / and the star of Bethlehem
