Xicochi is a 17th century motet

Motet

In classical music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions.-Etymology:The name comes either from the Latin movere, or a Latinized version of Old French mot, "word" or "verbal utterance." The Medieval Latin for "motet" is motectum, and the Italian...

, written by Gaspar Fernandes

Gaspar Fernandes

Gaspar Fernandes was a Portuguese composer and organist active in the cathedrals of Santiago de Guatemala and Puebla de los Ángeles, New Spain .-Life:Most scholars agree that the Gaspar Fernandes listed as a singer in the cathedral of Évora,...

 while he was organist of Puebla Cathedral

Puebla Cathedral

Puebla Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the city of Puebla, in Puebla, Mexico. It is a colonial cathedral, and is the see of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Puebla de los Angeles. The cathedral's bishop is Víctor Sánchez Espinosa...

. It serves as an example of the influence of indigenous Nahua culture, dominant in Mesoamérica at the time, on colonial Spanish music.

In 2000, Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...

 recorded the song for A Merry Little Christmas.

Nahuatl Original

Xicochi, xichochi,
Xicochi, xicochi
Xicochi conetzintle
Xicochi conetzintle
Caomiz hui hui xoco angelos me
Caomiz hui hui xoco angelos me
Caomiz hui hui xoco angelos me
In angelos me in angelos me

Alleluya alleluya

English Translation

Sleep, sleep
Sleep, sleep
Sleep, O my child
Sleep, O my child
Indeed, the angels have come to call you (into the world)
Indeed, the angels have come to call you (into the world)
Indeed, the angels have come to call you (into the world)

Alleluia, alleluia

Sources

• Watkins, Timothy D. "Finding Nahua Influence in Spanish Colonial Music." Rhodes College. Hassell Hall. 24 Sept. 2008.