Italian Lullabies
I’ve been in baby mode for the past few weeks due to the recent birth of my daughter (mia figlia). During this time, I learned two Italian lullabies that I think you will enjoy: “Brilla, Brilla La Stellina” and “Stella, Stellina.” I was going to write about “Ninna Nanna, Ninna Oh,” but it is about giving your baby to an old witch and a mysterious dark man (uomo nero), so my wife told me it was too creepy to put on the website. She’s probably right, but if you are curious you can check out the song and somewhat disturbing cartoon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ8D9ClvwmM.
“Brilla, Brilla La Stellina” is the Italian version of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” The lyrics are different, but the melody is the same.
Brilla, brilla una stellina
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Su nel cielo, piccolina.
So small in up in the sky.
Brilla, brilla sopra noi
Twinkle, twinkle over us.
Mi domando di che sei?
How I wonder what you are.
Brilla, brilla la stellina
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Ora tu sei più vicina.
Now you are closer.
(Repeat above verse.)
Brilla, brilla la stellina
Twinkle, twinkle little star
Ora tu sei più vicina.
Now you are closer.
“Stella, Stellina” is about farm animals getting ready to sleep, and it is a great way to teach your child the Italian words for popular animals.
Stella, stellina
Star, little star
La notte si avvicina
The night is coming.
La fiamma traballa
The flame flickers.
La mucca è nella stalla.
The cow is in the stable.
La pecora e l’agnello
The sheep and the lamb
La vacca col vitello
The cow with the calf
La chioccia coi pulcini
The hen with the chicks
La gatta coi gattini.
The cat with the kittens.
E tutti fan la nanna
And everyone goes to sleep
Nel cuore della mamma.
In the mother’s heart.
Vocabulary and Grammar Notes
Since “Brilla, Brilla La Stellina” is about a star, here are some other objects you may see in the sky:
- Cloud: nuvola
- Sun: sole
- Plane: aeroplano
- Bird: uccello
- Moon: luna
“Stella, Stellina” teaches your child about different farm animals. Here are some more animals that you may find on a fattoria:
- Dog: cane
- Bird: uccello
- Horse: cavallo
- Goat: capra
- Fish: pesce
- Donkey: asino
- Duck: anatra
- Goose: oca
- Pig: maiale
The second to last phrase of “Stella, Stellina” is “E tutti fan la nanna.” This is a shortened version of the phrase “tutti fanno la nanna” which translated literally means “Everyone does the nighty-night,” or “Everyone does the sleep.” In its colloquial form, it means “Everyone goes to sleep.”
The verb “fare” means “to make or to do.” It is conjugated as follows:
Io faccio
Tu Fai
Lui/Lei Fa
Noi Facciamo
Voi Fate
Loro Fanno
Fare is a multi-functional verb that can be used to convey diverse meanings from “Lo faccio” (I’ll do it) to “Fai lo scemo” (You play the fool.) Fare is also used to describe the weather, hearkening to Italy’s Catholic roots. “Fa caldo” means “It’s hot,” and “Fa freddo” means “It’s cold.” Translated literally, these phrases suggest that someone (God) is making it hot or cold.
I hope you enjoy singing the above lullabies to your children. I’d love to hear about your favorite Italian lullaby in the comments below.
