L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2016 www.italoamericano.org 13 L'Italo-Americano LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE Dear Readers, December Music Memories with an Italian Connection for you: *** Christmas Sing-along in Italian TU SCENDI DALLE STELLE Tu scendi dalle stelle, O re del Cielo E vieni in una grotta Al freddo al gelo; O Bambino mio divino, lo ti vedo qui tremar O Dio beato Ah quanto ti costò L'avermi amato! A te, che sei del mondo Il Creatore Mancano panni e fuoco O mio Signore Caro eletto pargoletto Quanto questa povertà Più m'innamora, Giacché si fece amor Povero ancora! ADESTE FIDELES Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes Venite, Venite, in Bethlehem Natum videti, Regem Angelorum Venite Adoremus, Venite Adoremus Venite Adoremus, Venite Adoremus Dominum Cantet nuc lo, Chorus Angelorum Cantet nunc aula caelestium Gloria, Gloria, in excelsis Deo Venite Adoremus, Venite Adoremus Venite Adoremus, Dominum Ergo qui natus die hodierna Jesu, tibi sit Gloria! Patris aeterni Verbum caro factum Venite Adoremus, Venite Adormeus Venite Adoremus, Dominum (In English) SANTA LUCIA Sul mare luccica L'astro d'argento, Placida è l'onda Prospero è il vento, Venite all'agile Barchetta mia! (Chorus) Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia. Con questo zeffiro Così soave Oh! com'è bello Star su la nave! Su passagieri Venite via! (Chorus) Or che tardate Bella è la sera, Spira un'auretta Fresca e leggera Venite all'agile Barchetta mia! (Chorus) CANZONE D'I ZAMPOGNARI Quanno nascette Ninno a Bettelemme Era notta e parea mmiezo juorno! Maje le stelle lustere e belle Se vedettero accusi! La chiù lucente Jette a chiammà li Magi in Oriente No n'cerano nemice ppe in terra, La Pecora pascea co lo lione, Co le crapette Se vedette Lo Liopardo pazzia L'urzo co zetiello E co lu lupo 'n pace u pecoriello. Guardavano le pecore li pasture E l'angelo, sbrennente chiù de lu sole Comparette E le dicette No ve spaventate, no! La terra è arrenventata Paradiso! (In English) *** Christmas in Italy traditions differ from region to region and even from one "paese" to another. In Apulia, for instance, the tradition of the "Fornai" is alive, coming from the ancient way of life when the baker was delivering daily the bread to each house, thus knowing who had the best food and the most savory cookies today, groups of people visit each other homes to taste the goodies. In Abruzzo and other regions of Italy, the tradition of setting huge fires during Christmas Eve to light the way of our Lord is still followed to this day, resulting in spectacular sights. The bagpipers from the hills of Abruzzo and Molise move to the big cities with their "ciaramelle" to bring Christmas music. And the traditional feasting of the "Vigilia di Natale" (Christmas Eve) on various regional dishes based on fish, such as the "capitone" (eel) in Rome, the "baccala" (codfish) almost everywhere else, the "minestra di ceci" (garbanzo beans soup), and an enormous number of other succulent dishes. Midnight Mass, a respected tradition, and of course, the "Pranzo di Natale" with dishes such as capon, and all the trimmings, culminate with the panettone and panforte plus a variety of cakes and cookies. The preparation of the "presepio" (Christmas crib) is still most typical of all Italian Christmas customs. In many homes, the task falls to the younger members of the family, who develop the nativity scene with touching simplicity. The folk character of these domestic presepi is in direct contrast to the elaborate and costly creations one often finds in store bought versions. Tradition says that Saint Francis of Assisi inaugurated the presepio custom on Christmas Eve, 1223, when he held Mass beside the Crib, at the woodland sanctuary at Greccio. Villagers took the parts of Joseph and Mary, the shepherds and kings, while live animals, tethered close to the manger, watched over a figure of the Babe upon the straw. The tradition of setting up "il Presepe", the creche, is still the preferred symbol of "Natale" throughout all of Italy. *** St. Silvester (Sylvester) is New Year's Eve Patron because "La Festa di San Silvestro" is December 31st. Saint Silvester, a native Roman, to whom the last day of the year is dedicated, was Pope in the fourth century during the reign of Costantine, (after Pope Melchiades died in January 314, Silvester was chosen as his successor) he governed the church for more than 21 years, ably organizing the discipline of the Roman Church. He also sent legates to the first Ecumencal Council. During his Pontificate were built the great churches founded in Rome by Costantine-the Basilica and baptistery of the Lateran, the Basilica of the Sessorian palace (Santa Croce), the Church of St Peter in the Vatican, and several cemeteries churches over the graves of martyrs. No doubt St. Sylvester helped towards the construction of these churches. He also established the Roma school of singing. On the Via Salaria he built a cemeteries church over the Catacomb of St. Priscilla, and it was in this chuch that he was buried when he died on December 31, 335. St. Silvester's efforts contributed greatly to making Christianity a recognized faith legalized by the emperor, New year's Eve is a festival when secular and religious rites combine. Janus, the two-faced god, gives his name to the first month of the year as he can look both backwards and forwards, and this is the time when people sum up the results of the past year and look to the future. On the stroke of midnight windows are opened and fireworks light up the sky. The floor is swept of old dust, and in the south the most drastic measure is taken to break with the past of throwing out of the window broken crockery, pots and pans, and sometimes even furniture. Grand dinners are organized; traditionally fish will appear as one of the courses, and stuffed pig's trotter served with lentils. Which symbolize coins and are said to bring wealth if eaten on this day. Traditionally in the U.S.A. southerners use black-eyed Peas in their "Good Luck" New years dishes to symbolize coins wealth and good fortune.

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