Tu Scendi dalle Stelle

Tu scendi dalle stelle is Italy's most beloved Christmas song that can be heard throughout Italy during the holiday season. This song dates back to the 18th century and was composed by Saint Alphonsus Liguori. It was originally written in the Neapolitan dialect and titled Quanno nascette Ninno (When the boy was born). It was then translated into Italian and titled Tu scendi dalle stelle (You Came Down from the Stars). The song contains seven verses, but only the first two are usually sung.

There are several translations of the lyrics into English. I have included one of those translations below alongside the Italian version.

Tu scendi dalle Stelle	You Came Down from the Stars
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.	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. 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.	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. 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!	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. 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.	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. 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.	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. 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".	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. 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!	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!

Related Articles & Resources:

• Christmas Traditions
• Lighting of the Christmas Tree
• Manarola's Illuminated Presepe