for SATB voices, accompanied
Arranged by Vicente Chavarria
Cuban composer and songwriter Tony Rubí is based in Miami, Florida, where he is active in the local music community. Porque Dios Ha Nacido comes from a collection of Christmas music written for the Archdiocese of Miami. In this song, Rub&iaute; continues a centuries-long tradition of placing the Christmas story in a local Latin American context–in this case, the Cuban countryside. His text describes the beautiful responses of nature around him to Christ's birth. This arrangement sets but two of his five verses, each of which expresses a beautiful connection to nature. The soft calypso rhythm provides a peace and tranquility which belies the song's joyful character.