Dormi, dormi bel Bambin (Sleep, sleep beautiful child) is a traditional Italian Christmas carol and lullaby to the Christ
Child, said to originate in the north of Italy.
The song is an affectionate lullaby, presumably sung by Our Lady, to Our Lord in the Manger. She tells the God-Child: "Sleep, sleep Divine King, close Thine eyes, my Treasure. The Angels of Heaven will watch over you."
There are different versions of Dormi, dormi bel Bambin, with variations on both the melody and the text. The version on this page is here interpreted by the Schweizer Jugendchor.
Listen to Dormi, dormi bel Bambim
Lyrics:
Italian lyrics
1. Dormi, dormi bel Bambin,
Re Divin, Re Divin
Fa la nanna bel Bambino,
Re Divin, Re Divin
Fa la nanna bel Bambino.
Refrain:
Fa la ninna, fa la nanna
Fa la ninna nanna a Gesù.
Gli angioletti su nel Cielo
Veglieran su te Gesù.
La, la la, la la la, la la la, la la la
La la la, la la la, la la la, la.
2. Chiudi gli occhi mio tesor,
Dolce amor, dolce amor,
Fa la nanna sul mio cuore,
Dolce amor, dolce amor.
Fa la nanna sul mio cuore.
(Refrain)
English lyrics:
1. Sleep, sleep, beautiful Child,
Divine King, Divine King
Go to sleep, beautiful Child,
Divine King, Divine King
Go to sleep, beautiful Child.
Refrain:
Go to sleep, go to sleep
A lullaby to Jesus.
The little angels up in Heaven
They will watch over you, Jesus.
La, la la, la la la, la la la, la la la
La la la, la la la, la la la, la.
2. Close Thine eyes, my darling,
Sweet love, sweet love,
Sleep on my heart,
Sweet love, sweet love.
Sleep on my heart.
