Campana Sobre Campana

Christmas Carols Explained, 3

We interrupt our streak of German-heavy Christmas offerings to take a jaunt to Spain, since both countries were friendly in the 1930s have rich traditions associated with the holiday. Much like Kling, Glockchen, the song Campana Sobre Campana is about ringing bells with an especial invitation to children. Its historical associations date back to the 1800s in Andalusia, which is Spain’s version of the Deep South.

As the lyrics play out, the listener hears a line of bells progressing over the distance between the hearer and Bethlehem, meant to draw you closer and closer to the Nativity scene. (Spain is big on Nativities, they do elaborate ones that I’ve long desired to duplicate in my own home.) This particular arrangement is very kiddish, so probe around the algorithm if you want a weightier version of it.