Fermarono i cieli (Alfonso Maria de' Liguori)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2015-01-01)  CPDL #33988:  [ ]

Editor: Francesco Spiga (submitted 2015-01-01).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 306 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Arranged by Francesco Spiga for SAT and basso continuo.

General Information

Title: Fermarono i cieli
Composer: Alfonso Maria de' Liguori
Lyricist: Alfonso Maria de' Liguori

Number of voices: 3vv   Voicing: SAT

Genre: Sacred, Carol, Folksong   Meter: 66. 66

Language: Italian
Instruments: Basso continuo

Published: 1737

Description: The text was first published in a 1737 collection called Canzoncine divote under the title Maria contempla il SS. Bambinello che dorme. Three different traditional melodies are associated to this poem. This one appears to be based, in the stanza, on the same ground bass of the Tarantella carpinese, from Carpino, in the province of Foggia (I-IV-V-I in the minor mode). The third and fourth stanzas and refrain lyrics come from oral tradition and do not appear in any published work by st. Alphonsus.

External websites:

• http://www.museoalfonsiano.it/node/51
• http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ITASA0000/_P9E.HTM

Original text and translations

Italian text Fermarono i cieli La loro armonia, Cantando Maria La nanna a Gesù. Con voce divina La Vergine bella, Più vaga che stella, Diceva così: [Dormi, dormi, fa' la ninna nanna Gesù. La luce più bella Negli occhi brillava, Sul viso sembrava Divino splendor. La madre felice Di un bimbo divino Gridava il suo amore Cantando così: Dormi, dormi, fa' la ninna nanna, Gesù.]

English translation The celestial spheres suspended Their harmony, While Mary was singing Lullaby to Jesus. With a divine voice The beautiful Virgin, More charming than a star, Said this: Sleep, sleep, go to beddy-byes, Jesus. The most beautiful light Shone in her eyes, It seemed, on her face, The Divine shining. The happy mother Of a divine child Shouted her love Singing so: Sleep, sleep, go to beddy-byes, Jesus.