Maltese Christmas Carol

These are the opening stanzas of the very popular Maltese Christmas carol written by the Jesuit Andrea (Indri) Schembri in the second half of the nineteenth century for Maltese migrants who settled in North Africa. The melody was probably based on an already known older melody. The carol is always sung by children on Christmas Eve  during the processions of the child Jesus organised by the Society of Christian Doctrine (MUSEUM).  The following lyrics are taken from

Gemgha ta' Kliem Imkaddes (Malta 1910) by Fr Andrea Schembri. The sound track can be heard on a  recording by the

Ġukulari Ensemble entitled  Doqqli Daqqa! sung by the children's choir of the parish of Pembroke,

directed by Amelia Calleja.                    

Il Benniena ta’ Ġesu Bambin

Ninni la tibkix iżjed, Ninni Ġesu Bambin,

Hallih għalina l-biki, Għax aħna l-midinbin

Ejjew ejjew ja Anġli, Mis-sema mija, mija,

Taraw ‘l Alla li ħalaqkom, Bambin ġewwa l-fisqija.

Ejjew, taraw b’għajnejkom lil  dan Alla tal-ħniena,

Bambin sabiħ u ħelu, ininni ġol-benniena

 Ninni, la tibkix izjed......

Hallu ragħajja ħallu, il-merħla tan-nagħġiet,

tibżgħux min jindokrahom, Hemm l-Anġli tas-smewwiet.

Hallu, u ejjew taraw, Fil-Grotta l-ġid li ġiena;

Hawn Alla bambin ċkejken, ininni ġol benniena.

Ninni, la tibkix iżjed....