A sweet lullaby where the mother urges the baby, even knowing that he is a divine King descended from heaven, to close his eyes and sleep like every child. A Christmas religious song widely spread throughout Northern Italy and Ticino.
The oldest printed version can be found in the collection “Sacri canti” by Don Giambattista Michi di Fiemme, found in Palù del Fersina and dating back to the end of the 17th century. Here, the song is published under the title “Canzonetta spirituale sopra l’Aria della marchiata”. We cannot be sure whether it is a song composed by Michi himself or it is a pre-existing material of middle-european origin. Renato Morelli speculates that Michi may have disguised the melody of the “Marchiata” (a well known dance at the time) with a religious text. In partial support of this thesis, most of the documented songs of the tradition have no significant melodic variations, but come from a single source.
This version was collected by Franco Castelli in Valdolenga near San Salvatore Monferrato (AL).
from
Concerto di Natale,
released May 8, 2022
Renzo Ceroni: Chitarre e bassetto / Guitars and little double bass
Enzo G. Conti: Fisarmoniche diatoniche, dulcimer, autoharp, harmonium
Melodeons, dulcimer, autoharp, harmonium
Paolo Dall’Ara: Cornamuse e flauti / Bagpipes and recorders
Matteo Dorigo: Ghironde / Hurdy-gurdies
Vincenzo “Chacho” Marchelli: Voce, fruja, grolotìr, sonagli e campanelli / Voice, piedmontese and alpine ethnic percussions
Andrea Sibilio: Violino, viola, mandoloncello, voce / Violin, viola, mandocello, voice
Betti Zambruno: Voce / Voice
guest:
Gianni Coscia button accordion