Login « Rome, Italy: AAA Travel Guide | Home | The Rough Guide to Italy »
Christmas Carols in Italy
The first hymns in honor of Christmas and the nativity are believed to have been written in the fifth century. These Latin hymns were solemn, and dealt only with the religious aspects of Christmas.
In the 13th century, Saint Francis of Assisi introduced the idea of joyous and spirited Christmas carols similar to what we know today. St. Francis wrote the Christmas hymn “Psalmus in Nativitate” in Latin. From Italy, Christmas carols spread all over Europe including Germany where many hyms were written.
Silent Night, one of the best known Christmas carols was written by Joseph Mohr who was born in Salzburg, Austria.
Silent Night is called Astro Del Ciel in Italian. Here are the words in Italian (you will find a number of different versions) followed by the English version:
Astro Del Ciel
Astro del ciel, Pargol divin,
Mite Agnello Redentor!
Tu che i Vati da lunghi sognar,
Tu che angeliche voci nunziar.
Luce dona alle genti
Pace infondi nei cuor!
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon virgin mother and child,
Holy infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Posted by Jackie on December 5, 2007
Comments Post A Comment Form
