$3.25
SATB a cappella + optional Percussion 2’45”
*Recording by Cantamus app, an AI generated performance.
Note: This is a digital score (PDF).
Minimum Order: Suggested 5.
*A paid invoice will be autogenerated after successful transaction.
Many cultures of Latin America celebrate the novena following Christmas Day, leading to the Epiphany and the arrival of the three Wise Men, or Holy Kings (Reyes Magos), to Jerusalem. In Puerto Rico, children receive gifts from the three Reyes Magos as most American children are told Santa delivers. Epiphany rivals the importance of Christmas Day. This aguinaldo, “Los tres Santos Reyes,” originally a parranda (similar to caroling) in an upbeat plena style, provides a festive backdrop to the end of the Christmastime season, complete with the mystery of following a star to distant locales, led by faith that their actions would be in service of a better world.
The arrangement may be sung a cappella, or with a minimum of a guiro and conga, with a demonstration rhythm abbreviated below the vocal parts. The plena is a simple, but structured form, with the accompaniment focused on providing a stable backdrop to improvised sung lines and lyrics. The masters of plena are able to strew together large form narratives with intricate melismatic melodies.
| Forces | SATB, Güiro/Shaker (Optional), Conga Drum (Optional) |
|---|---|
| Text | Los tres Santos Reyes, los tres y los tres, Los tres santos Reyes, yo los sé contar, Llegan con cautela, la Estrella los guía ¡Señores, adiós! Doy la despedida Señores adiós porque ya nos vamos. |
| Translation | The three Holy Kings, we three, The three holy Kings, I know how to count them, They arrive cautiously, the star guides them. Goodbye, all! I say goodbye Goodbye all, because we are leaving, |
