“Ninna-o, ninna-o” by Marie Dicocco

Marie Dicocco (1954); Italian-German.  “I heard this lullaby “Ninna-o Ninnao” from women in province of Aquila Abruzzo, Italy. The word “sleep” in Italian is “Dormire”. It is a verb. But when people talk about with children they use the “ninna-nanna.” Sleep comes to me as a cloud settling over me. When I have a trouble falling asleep I breathe slowly and imagine the ocean.”

Ninna-o, ninna-o, Sta citella bella…

(Marie sung this lullaby in Italian. Also she gave a translation.)

Go to sleep, go to sleep,

This beautiful baby girl, who wants her?

If la Befana takes her, if she keeps her a week,

If the black men take her, if they keep her a whole year,

If the blue man takes her, if he keeps her a year and more?

Sleep, sleep, what patience one needs,

Go to sleep, go to sleep,

Little mama’s treasure,

Sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep...

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