If you are Italian, your Nonna was most likely a large part of your early childhood. Italian grandmothers seem to know how to solve any problem including restlessness in babies. The term ninna nanna actually means lullaby and “Ninna Nanna Ninna Oh” is one of the most popular Italian lullabies. Play this for your little one the next time he or she cannot fall asleep.
Lyrics
Ninna Nanna Ninna oh
Ninna nanna, ninna oh,
questo bimbo a chi lo do?
Lo darò alla Befana
Che lo tiene una settimana
Lo darò all’Uomo Nero
Che lo tiene un anno intero
Lo darò all’Uomo Bianco
Che le tiene finché è stanco
Lo darò al Saggio Folletto
Che lo renda Uomo perfetto!
Translation:
Ninna nanna ninna oh
who will I give this kid to?
Will I give it to the Befana (an old good which that brings presents to kids)
that will hold him for the whole week?
Will I give him to the black man
that will hold him the whole year?
Will i give him to the white man
who will hold him till he’s tired?
I will give him to the elf
that will make him a perfect man!
Sources:
- Video: YouTube – CoccoleSonore
- Main Image: Picsea on Unsplash
Marissa,
My Italian grandfather “got off the boat” in NYC in 1914. I remember him singing a lullaby to my brothers and presumably to me 70 years ago. The words that I can remember are
Ninna, nonna, ninna, nonna
Bimbo bella, della mama
I seem to remember that there were two additional lines. Does anyone know them?
He was from Malvaglio, a distant suburb of Milan.
Thanks,
Robert