Tu scendi dalle stelle
Here's a beloved Italian Christmas Carol that has touched many people around the world...
"...perhaps the oldest Christmas Song in Italy, ascribed to Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori, a catholic bishop who wrote this song in Nola, Naples circa 1754." -Gian Carlo
Below you'll find the lyrics for "Tu scendi dalle stelle" with an English translation, mp3 recordings and YouTubes. People often sing only the first two verses.
Tu scendi dalle stelle
You Come Down from the Stars
Christmas Carol
Christmas Carol
(Italian)
(English)
1. Tu scendi dalle stelle o Re del Cielo
E vieni in una grotta al freddo al gelo
E vieni in una grotta al freddo al gelo.
O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato!
Ah, quanto ti costò l'avermi amato.
Ah, quanto ti costò l'avermi amato.
2. A te che sei del mondo, il Creatore,
Mancano panni e fuoco, o mio Signore.
Mancano panni e fuoco, o mio Signore.
Caro eletto pargoletto,
Quanto questa povertà
Più mi innamora,
Giacchè ti fece amor povero ancora.
Giacchè ti fece amor povero ancora.
3. Tu lasci il bel gioir del divin seno,
per giunger a penar su poco fieno,
per giunger a penar su poco fieno.
Dolce amore del mio core,
dove amore Ti trasportò?
O Gesù mio,
perché tanto patir? Per amor mio!
Perché tanto patir? Per amor mio!
4. Ma se fu Tuo volere il Tuo patire,
perché vuoi pianger poi, perché vagire?
Perché vuoi pianger poi, perché vagire?
Mio Gesù, T'intendo sì!
Ah, mio Signore!
Tu piangi non per duol, ma per amore.
Tu piangi non per duol, ma per amore.
5. Tu piangi per vederti da me ingrato
dove sì grande amor, sì poco amato!
O diletto del mio petto,
Se già un tempo fu così,
or Te sol bramo.
Caro non pianger più, ch'io T'amo e T'amo,
caro non pianger più, ch'io T'amo e T'amo.
6. Tu dormi, Ninno mio, ma intanto il core
non dorme, no, ma veglia a tutte l'ore.
Deh, mio bello e puro Agnello
a che pensi? Dimmi tu.
O amore immenso!
"Un dì morir per Te", rispondi, "io penso".
"Un dì morir per Te", rispondi, "io penso".
7. Dunque a morire per me, Tu pensi, o Dio:
e chi altro, fuor di Te, amar poss'io?
O Maria, speranza mia,
se poc'amo il Tuo Gesù,
non Ti sdegnare.
Amalo tu per me, s'io nol so amare!
Amalo tu per me, s'io nol so amare!
1. You come down from the stars
Oh, King of Heavens,
And You come in a cave in the cold, in the frost,
And You come in a cave in the cold, in the frost.
Oh, my Divine Baby
I see you trembling here,
Oh, Blessed God
Ah, how much it costs You, your loving me.
Ah, how much it costs You, your loving me.
2. For You, who is the Creator of the world,
No clothes and fire, oh my Lord,
No clothes and fire, oh my Lord.
Dear chosen one, little baby,
This dire poverty,
Makes me love You more,
Since Love made You more poor,
Since Love made You more poor.
3. You leave the beautiful glory of the divine bosom,
To come suffer on a little hay,
To come suffer on a little hay.
Sweet love of my heart,
Where did love carry You?
O my Jesus.
Why do You suffer so much? Because You love me.
Why do You suffer so much? Because You love me.
4. But if your suffering was Your will,
Why, afterwards do You wish to weep? Why are You crying?
My Jesus, I understand you, yes!
Ah, my Lord!
You are weeping not because of pain, but because of love,
You are weeping not because of pain, but because of love.
5. You are crying because You see me ungrateful,
Whence such great love, so little beloved!
Oh, beloved of my breast,
If previously it was this way,
Now I love only You.
Dear, don't cry anymore, since I love You, and I love You.
Dear, don't cry anymore, since I love You, and I love You.
6. You sleep, my child, but meanwhile the heart
Is not sleeping, but is always awake.
Ah, my beautiful and pure lamb,
What are You thinking of? Tell me.
Oh, immense love!
"I think one day I'll die for you," You reply.
"I think one day I'll die for you," You reply.
7. So You are thinking of dying for me, my God:
Who else, besides you, can I love?
Oh Mary, my hope,
If I love your Jesus so little,
Don't be outraged.
Love Him for me, if I am not able to love Him!
Love Him for me, if I am not able to love Him!
Notes
Tu scendi dalle stelle was composed circa 1754 by Saint Alfonso Maria de' Liguori (1696-1787), a Neapolitan bishop. This carol was originally written in the Neapolitan dialect and was called Quanno nascette Ninno. The song was later re-written in standard Italian by Pope Pius IX and became a famous carol throughout the world.
Comments
Come Check Out Mama Lisa's World Blog Post: Tu scendi dalle stelle (You Come Down from the Stars): A Favorite Italian Christmas Carol with 2 YouTube Videos.
1st Recording: Damian Borkowski sings old italian christmas carol "Tu scendi dalle stelle" from XVIII century. It's author - Alfonso Maria de Liguori - was a foundator of Redemptorist Brotherhood. Arrangement comes from CPDL.org and it was made by Francesco Spiga (CPDL#27024). Piano play and recording by Michal Biedziuk. This recording was transposed up by two semitones. Arrangement made by Francesco Spiga from CPDL.org (CPDL #27024) used for this recording under LinuxTag Yellow OpenMusic License.
In the 2nd recording, you can hear verses 1 & 2 above followed by:
Tu lasci del tuo Padre il divin seno
per venire a tremar su questo fieno,
per venire a tremar su questo fieno,
Caro eletto del mio petto
dove amor ti trasportò
o Gesù mio
perché tanto patir per amor mio?
perché tanto patir per amor mio?
English Translation:
You leave the divine shelter of your Father
To come and tremble on this hay
To come and tremble on this hay.
Dear chosen one of my heart,
To where love brought you!
Oh my Jesus,
Why suffer so much for your love of me?
Why suffer so much for your love of me?
2nd Recording: Romano
Thanks!
Thanks!
Sheet Music
Thanks and Acknowledgements
English Translations: Gian Carlo Macchi, Monique Palomares and Lisa Yannucci.
Midi Music: Monique.
Many thanks also to Gian Carlo Macchi for contributing the complete song.
Image: The Nativity, Gerard David, Flemish, 1495.
Grazie mille!