There are different versions of the words of this traditional Catalan Carol, but essentially it is a cradle song, translating literally as the Son of the Mother.

I have given two different versions of the text here, a shorter English translation and a longer Catalan version. 

The thing which all the variants of the words have in common is the repetition of phrases in the text and music.

The cheese spoken of in both versions (matò in Catalan) is a very soft whey cheese, rather like ricotta in texture. It is  made from sheep’s or goats’ milk with no salt added which makes it somewhat sweet. It is traditionally served with honey as mentioned here. Such treats would be the Catalan equivalents of the three Wise Men’s gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh fit for a king.

The text of the last verse alludes to the fact that as a baby, Jesus has not yet matured to realise the full prophesy that he would redeem the world by his death and resurrection at Easter.

The carol was made particularly famous as an instrumental piece by guitarist Andres Segovia in the 20th century and more recently John Rutter has made a successful setting with an orchestral accompaniment. I made my own version before hearing either of these and felt that the harmonies the melody suggested to me had a feel rather like those of Canteloube in the Songs of the Auvergne. Interestingly, Rutter’s version is also even more similar to that work in its lush harmonies and orchestration.

English variant

What shall we give to the Son of the Virgin?
What can we give that the Babe will enjoy?
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet figs to the Boy.
First, we shall give Him a tray full of raisins,
Then we shall offer sweet figs to the Boy.

What shall we give the Beloved of Mary?
What can we give to her beautiful Child?
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.
Raisins and olives and nutmeats and honey,
Candy and figs and some cheese that is mild.

What shall we do if the figs are not ripened?
What shall we do if the figs are still green?
We shall not fret; if they’re not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.
We shall not fret, if they’re not ripe for Easter,
On a Palm Sunday, ripe figs will be seen.

https://www.musicanet.org

Catalan Version

Què li darem a n’el Noi de la Mare?
Què li darem que li sàpiga bo?
Panses i figues i nous i olives,
panses i figues i mel i mató.

Què li darem al fillet de Maria?
Què li darem al xamós infantó?
Li darem panses amb unes balances,
Li darem figues amb un paneró.

Tam, pa-tam-tam, que les figues són verdes!
Tam, pa-tam-tam, que ja maduraran!
Si no maduren el dia de Pasqua
Maduraran el Diumenge de Rams…

Una cançó jo també cantaria;
una cançó ben joliua d’amor.
I que n’és treta d’una donzelleta,
que n’és la Verge, Mare del Senyor.

No ploris, no, manyaguet de la mare!
No ploris, no, ai alè del meu cor!
Cançó és aquesta que al Noi de la Mare,
cançó és aquesta que li n’ha plas, de molt.

Tam, pa-tam-tam, que les figues són verdes!
Tam, pa-tam-tam, que ja maduraran!
Si no maduren el dia de Pasqua
Maduraran el Diumenge de Rams…