Tu scendi dalle stelle (From Starry Skies Descending) is an Italian Christmas Carol written by St. Alphonsus Ligouri in 1732. It is a beloved carol sung by many families on Christmas Eve, including ours. It was my father’s favorite carol and we are blessed to have a recording of my amazing Dad, Michael Squillace, singing it before he passed away several years ago. I want to share it with you. You can listen to it by clicking below. I’ve also included the lyrics here in case you want to sing along.
Lyrics in Italian, followed by English:
1. Tu scendi dalle stelle,
O Re del Cielo,
e vieni in una grotta,
al freddo al gelo.
O Bambino mio Divino
Io ti vedo qui a tremar,
O Dio Beato
Ahi, quanto ti costò
l’avermi amato!
2. A te, che sei del mondo
il Creatore,
mancano panni e fuoco;
O mio Signore!
Caro eletto Pargoletto,
Quanto questa povertà
più mi innamora!
Giacché ti fece amor
povero ancora!
English
1. From starry skies descending,
Thou comest, glorious King,
A manger low Thy bed,
In winter’s icy sting;
O my dearest Child most holy,
Shudd’ring, trembling in the cold!
Great God, Thou lovest me!
What suff’ring Thou didst bear,
That I near Thee might be!
2. Thou art the world’s Creator,
God’s own and true Word,
Yet here no robe, no fire
For Thee, Divine Lord.
Dearest, fairest, sweetest Infant,
Dire this state of poverty.
The more I care for Thee,
Since Thou, O Love Divine,
Will’st now so poor to be.
Merry Christmas to you and your family from ours!
