The Italian Donkey

we all know the importance of the donkey in the nativity story and carrying Mary to Bethleham here is a song that celebrates a certian Italian Donkey

His name was Dominick and he was a big help to Santa The song Dominick the Donkey is a Christmas song written by Richard Allen, Sam Saltzberg and Lou Monte. Monte an Italian American singer first sung the song in 1960. Monte recorded from the 1950's to the early '80s. Monte passed away in 1989. 

We all have been told the story in the bible where "A brave little donkey/Carried Mary and her babe/That night was born our Savior/in a manger now he lay/God bless the little donkey and the journey that he made." The song Dominick the Donkey tells the story of Dominick an Italian Donkey who helps Santa deliver presents. Dominick the Donkey is a well known symbol of Christmas in Italy. 

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)

Santa's got a little friend,
His name is Dominick.
The cutest little donkey,
You never see him kick.
When Santa visits his paisons,
With Dominick he'll be.
Because the reindeer cannot,
Climb the hills of Italy.

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)

Jingle bells around his feet,
And presents on the sled.
Hey! Look at the mayor's derby,
On top of Dominick's head.
A pair of shoes for Louie,
And a dress for Josephine.
The labels on the inside says,
They're made in Brooklyn.

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)

Children sing, and clap their hands,
And Dominick starts to dance.
They talk Italian to him,
And he even understands.

Cumpare sing,
Cumpare su,
And dance 'sta tarantel.
When jusamagora comes to town,
And brings do ciuccianello.

Hey! Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
It's Dominick the donkey.
Chingedy ching,
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
The Italian Christmas donkey.
(la la la-la la-la la la la la)
(la la la-la la-la la-ee-oh-da)

Hey! Dominic

The Song was listed at number 14 on Billboards top 100 list in December 1960.