El cant dels ocells

For the Albert Serra film, see Birdsong (2008 film).

"El cant dels ocells" (Catalan: [əl ˈkan dəlz uˈseʎs], 'The Song of the Birds') is a traditional Catalan Christmas song and lullaby. It tells of nature's joy at learning of the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable in Bethlehem. The song was made famous outside Catalonia by Pau Casals' instrumental version on the cello. After his exile in 1939, he began each of his concerts by playing this song. For this reason, it is often considered a symbol of Catalonia.

Joan Baez included it in her 1966 best selling Christmas LP Noël, with a dedication to Casals.

In 1991, Catalan tenor Josep Carreras recorded "El cant dels ocells" on his album José Carreras Sings Catalan Songs. His Three Tenors colleague Plácido Domingo also recorded the song on his 2014 album Encanto del Mar.

The most widely heard version of the song was performed by Catalan cellist Lluis Claret and soprano Victoria de los Angeles at the 1992 Summer Olympics closing ceremony just before the Olympic cauldron was extinguished.

Lyrics

Catalan

Literal English Translation

El cant dels ocells Cançó de nadal Al veure despuntar el major lluminar en la nit més ditxosa, els ocellets cantant, a festejar-lo van amb sa veu melindrosa. L’àguila imperial se’n vola cel adalt, cantant amb melodia, dient: Jesús és nat, per treure’ns de pecat i dar-nos alegria. Repon-li lo pardal: Avui, nit de Nadal, és nit de gran contento! El verdum i el lluer diuen cantant, també : "Oh, quina alegria sento! Cantava el passerell : Oh, que hermós i que bell és l’infant de Maria! I li respon el tord : Vençuda n’és la mort, ja naix la vida mia ! Refila el rossinyol : És més bonic que el sol més brillant que una estrella! La cotxa i el bitxac festegen al manyac i a sa Mare donzella. Cantava el reietó per glòria del Senyor, inflant amb biçarria; el canari segueix: llur música pareix del Cel gran melodia. Ja n’entra el cotoliu dient: Ocells veniu a festejar l’aurora! I lo merlot, xiulant, anava festejant a la més gran Senyora. L’estiverola diu: No és hivern ni estiu sinó que és primavera; puix que és nada una flor que pertot dóna olor I omple la terra entera. Cantava el francolí: Ocells qui vol venir avui a trenc de dia a veure el gran Senyor amb sa gran resplendor a dins d’una establia? Ve cantant el puput: Eixa nit ha vingut el Rei de més grandesa! La tórtora i el colom admiren a tothom cantant sense tristesa. Picots i borroners volen entre els fruiters cantant llurs alegries; la guatlla i el cucut de molt lluny han vingut per contemplar el Messies. Cantava la perdiu Me’n vaig a fer lo niu dins d’aquella establia, per a veure l’Infant com està tremolant en braços de Maria. La garsa, griva o gaig diuen: Ara ve el maig! Respon la cadernera: Tot arbre reverdeix, tota branca floreix com si fos primavera. Xiuxiueja el pinsà: Glòria avui i demà; sento gran alegria de veure el diamant tan hermós i brillant als braços de Maria. El xot i el mussol al veure eixir el sol confosos se retiren. El gamarús i el duc diuen: Mirar no puc; tals resplendors m’admiren!

The Song of the Birds Christmas Carol In seeing emerge The greatest light During the most celebrated of nights, The little birds sing. They go to celebrate Him With their delicate voices. The imperial eagle flies high in the sky, singing melodically, saying, "Jesus is born To save us all from sin And to give us joy." The sparrow responds, Today, this Christmas Eve, Is a night of good cheer!" The greenfinch and the siskin Say in singing, too, "Oh, what joy I feel!" The linnet sang, "Oh, how lovely and beautiful Is the child of Mary!" The thrush answers: "Death is conquered, My life now begins!" The nightingale twitters, "He is more beautiful than the sun, More brilliant than a star!" The redstart and the stonechat Celebrate the infant And his virgin Mother. The wren sang For the glory of the Lord, Inflating with fantasy; The canary follows: Its music sounds like A great song from Heaven. Now comes the woodlark Saying, "Come birds To celebrate the dawn!" And the big blackbird, whistling, Went celebrating The greatest Lady. The tit says, "It is neither winter nor summer But rather springtime; A flower is born That gives a sweet smell all around And fills the whole world." The francolin sang, "Birds, who wants to come Today at daybreak To see the good Lord With all of his splendor Within a stable?" The hoopoe goes singing, "This night has come the greatest of Kings!" The turtle dove and rock dove Admire, and to all Sing without sadness. Woodpeckers and bullfinches Fly between fruit trees Singing their joys. The quail and the cuckoo From afar have come To see the Messiah. The partridge sang, "I am going to make my nest Inside of that stable, To look upon the Infant; How he trembles In the arms of Mary." The magpie, mistle thrush, and jay Say, "May is coming!" The goldfinch responds, "All the trees become green again, All the branches flower As if it were the spring." The chaffinch whispers, "Glory today and tomorrow; I feel great joy To see the diamond So handsome and brilliant In the arms of Mary." The scops owl and little owl Seeing the sunrise Leave confused. The tawny owl and eagle-owl Say, "I cannot look; Such splendors are in front of me!"

Recordings

• Short speech by Pau Casals at the United Nations in October 1971, followed by a separate recording of "El cant dels ocells" YouTube
• Joan Baez "The Carol of The Birds" YouTube
• José Carreras "El cant dels ocells" (Singing with piano accompaniment) YouTube
• Placido Domingo "El cant dels ocells" YouTube