This carol has its roots in a Catalan Christmas Carol called A vint-i-cinq de desembre or Fum, Fum, Fum that I posted last year.

It seems that “Fum, fum, fum” is imitating either the sound of strumming on a guitar or the beating on a drum.

Here’s Fum, Fum, Fum in Spanish, followed by an English translation I did for you.

Fum, fum, fum
(Spanish)

Veinticinco de Diciembre,
fum, fum, fum.
Veinticinco de Diciembre,
fum, fum, fum.

Como un sol nació Jesús,
radiando luz, radiando luz.
De María era hijo;
un establo fue su cuna,
fum, fum, fum.

Veinticinco de Diciembre,
fum, fum, fum.
Veinticinco de Diciembre,
fum, fum, fum.

Como un sol nació Jesús,
radiando luz, radiando luz.
De María era hijo;
un establo fue su cuna,
fum, fum, fum.

Fum, Fum, Fum
(English)

Twenty-fifth of December,
Fum, fum, fum.
Twenty-fifth of December,
Fum, fum, fum.

Like a sun, was born Jesus,
Radiating light, radiating light.
He was son of Maria;
A stable was his cradle,
Fum, fum, fum.

Twenty-fifth of December,
Fum, fum, fum.
Twenty-fifth of December,
Fum, fum, fum.

Like a sun, was born Jesus,
Radiating light, radiating light.
He was son of Maria;
A stable was his cradle,
Fum, fum, fum.

You can hear the tune to this song here.

I hope you’re having a nice holiday season!

Lisa