Maria lavava
This selection is from Tuscany, but is well known elsewhere. It's used both as a lullaby and as a song or poem for children.
Maria lavava
Mary Busy with the Washing
Nursery Rhyme
Nursery Rhyme
(Italian)
(English)
Maria lavava,
Giuseppe stendeva,
Il figlio piangeva
dal freddo che aveva.
Stai zitto mio figlio,
che adesso ti piglio:
il latte t'ho dato,
il pane non c'è.
La neve sui monti
cadeva dal cielo,
Maria col suo velo
copriva Gesù.
Mary busy with the washing,
Joseph hung it out for drying,
All alone the baby lying
From the bitter cold was crying.
Hush my son, my little one,
In a moment I'll have done,
All my milk I've given to you
And the bread is finished, too.
As snow from the heavens
Fell over the mountains,
With her mantle of blue
Mary covered Jesu.
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Ernestine Shargool for contributing and translating this song.
Grazie mille!
