Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle (Thou Descendest from the Stars) was written by St. Alphonsus Liguori in 1732. It is a gentle pastorale that is based on traditional
zampogna music, a type of Italian bagpipe.
Featuring swinging rhythmic meters, these musical pastorales aimed to evoke country life and were common during the Baroque period (particularly in Italy),
used by composers such as Corelli,
Scarlatti, Vivaldi, and Handel. In Christmas settings, pastorales recalled the scene of the shepherds gathered at the Manger.
The text of this carol is a beautiful prayer directed to Our Lord, remarking how much our salvation truly cost Him. Though He is the Creator of heaven and earth, Our Lord accepted the poverty of the stable, trembling in the bitter cold with no clothing or warmth. It reminds us how, out of His infinite love for us, Our Lord saved us from sin and death.
Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle is interpreted here by the Schola Cantorum of St. Joseph’s Seminary.
Listen to Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle
Lyrics:
Italian lyrics
1. Tu scendi dalle stelle,
O Re del Cielo,
E vieni in una grotta,
Al freddo al gelo,
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.
Ahi, quanto ti costò,
L'avermi amato.
2. A te, che sei del mondo,
Il Creatore,
Mancano panni e fuoco;
O mio Signore.
Mancano panni e fuoco;
O mio Signore.
Caro eletto Pargoletto,
Quanto questa povertà,
Più mi innamora.
Giacché ti fece amor,
Povero ancora.
Giacché ti fece amor,
Povero ancora.
English lyrics:
1. Thou descendest from the stars,
O King of Heaven,
And comest to a grotto,
In the cold, in the frost,
And comest to a grotto,
In the cold, in the frost.
O My Divine Child,
I see Thee here trembling,
O Blessed God,
Ah, how much it cost Thee,
To have loved me!
Ah, how much it cost Thee,
To have loved me.
2. For Thee, Who art the world’s
Creator,
Clothing and warmth are missing;
Oh my Lord.
Clothing and warmth are missing;
Oh my Lord.
Dear chosen Infant,
How Thy poverty,
Makes me love Thee more.
Because Thou hast shown Thy love,
Even being poor.
Because Thou hast shown Thy love,
Even being poor.
