CHI-BABA, CHI-BABA (MY BAMBINO GO TO SLEEP)
(Music: Al Hoffman & Jerry Livingston / Lyrics: Mack David)


Perry Como with The Satisfiers - 1947

Also recorded by: Louis Prima





Many a year ago in old Sorrento
A certain ditty was quite the thing
Whenever a mother rocked her baby in Sorrento
This little ditty she used to sing

Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
An' chi-lawa kook-a la goombah
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep

Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
An' chi-lawa kook-a la goombah
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep

All the stars are in the skies ready to say goodnight
Can't you see your doll is sleepy, too
Close your drowsy little eyes, Mama will hold you tight
While she sings a lullaby to you

Oh, chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
An' chi-lawa kook-a la goombah
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep

(Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-baba)
(Chi-baba, chi-wawa and chi-lawa)
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
An' chi-lawa kook-a la goombah (la goombah)
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep

(Chi, chi, chi-baba)
Chi, chi, chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
An' chi-lawa kook-a la goombah  (la goombah)
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep 

(All the stars are in the skies)
(Ready to say goodnight, goodnight)
(Can't you see your doll is sleepy, too)
(Close your drowsy little eyes, Mama will hold you tight)
(While she sings a lullaby to you, ever so sweetly)

Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
An' chi-lawa kook-a la goombah  (la la goombah, chi-baba)
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep

Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep
Chi-baba, chi-baba, chi-wawa
My bambino go to sleep






(Contributed by Mel Priddle - June 2012)