Song Meaning

This traditional Spanish carol paints a serene Nativity scene, focusing on the Virgin Mary's gentle preparations. The opening verse describes her combing her golden hair with a silver comb, a delicate image of quiet beauty. This peaceful domesticity is then juxtaposed with the vibrant, almost ecstatic, natural world. The central tension arises from the repeated chorus, "But look how they drink, the fish in the river, but look how they drink, to see God born." This imagery is striking: the fish are not merely swimming but actively drinking, a powerful, almost thirsty, act of witnessing the divine birth. The repetition of "Beben y beben" (They drink and drink) emphasizes an unending, fervent devotion from nature itself. The lyrics further develop this theme of nature's joyous participation. The Virgin washes and hangs diapers on rosemary, which then blooms, and little birds sing. This suggests a world alive and responding to the miracle, with even the plants and animals partaking in the celebration. The later verse, where the Virgin's hands are "picado" (pricked or irritated) from washing, adds a touch of human vulnerability and sacrifice, directly linking her "hands of my heart" to the profound event. What makes these lyrics so resonant is the way they elevate the Nativity from a singular event to a cosmic awakening. Nature's enthusiastic, almost overwhelming, response—the fish drinking endlessly—mirrors the profound significance of God's birth. It’s a beautiful, simple depiction of a world utterly captivated and transformed by the divine arrival.