Gesù bambino is an Italian Christmas carol composed by Pietro Yon in 1917. It was translated to English by Frederick H. Martens. The traditional Christmas song "I Saw Three Ships" derives its melody from "Gesu Bambino", though the former is a simpler version of the tune. In addition, the melody and lyrics of the chorus are derived from the chorus of "O Come All Ye Faithful".
Nell'umile capanna
nel freddo e povertà
è nato il Santo pargolo
che il mondo adorerè
Osanna, osanna cantano
con giubilante cor
i tuoi pastori ed angeli
o re di luce e amor
venite adoremus
venite adoremus
venite adoremus
Dominum
O bel bambin non piangere
non piangere, Redentor!
la mamma tua cullandoti
ti bacia, O Salvator
Osanna, osanna cantano
con giubilante cor
i tuoi pastori ed angeli
o re di luce e amor
venite adoremus
venite adoremus
venite adoremus
Dominum
Ah! venite adoremus
Ah! adoremus Dominum
venite, venite
venite adoremus
adoremus
Dominum
Note: This is not a literal translation of the Italian.
When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows
Upon a winter night
Was born the Child, the Christmas Rose
The King of Love and Light.
The angels sang, the shepherds sang
The grateful earth rejoiced
And at His blessed birth the stars
Their exultation voiced.
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord.
Again the heart with rapture glows
To greet the holy night
That gave the world its Christmas Rose
Its King of Love and Light.
Let ev'ry voice acclaim His name
The grateful chorus swell
From paradise to earth He came
That we with Him might dwell.
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
O come let us adore Him
Christ the Lord.