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Southern Songs A to L
Addio a Napoli
(lyrics found on http://www.lyricsmania.com)
Addio mia bella Napoli,
Addio, addio
La tua soave immagine
Chi mai chi mai scordar potrà
Del ciel l’azzurro fulgido
La placida marina
Qual core lo rinebria
Ardea ardea di voluttà
Il ciel, la terra e l’aura
Favellano l’amore
E sola al mio dolore
Dal porto io sognerò, sì
Io sognerò
Addio mia bella Napoli
Addio, addio
Addio care memorie
Del tempo che passò
Tutt’altro ciel mi chiama,
addio, addio
Ma questo cor ti brama
E il cor e il cor ti lascerò
Di baci e d’armonia
È l’aura tua . . . riviera
Oh magica sirena
Fedèl fedèle a te sarò
Al mio pensier più tenero
Ritornano gli istanti
Le gioie e le memorie
Dei miei felici di,
I miei felici di
Addio mia bella Napoli
Addio, addio
Addio care memorie
Del tempo che passò
(repeat last refrain)
Rough translation:
Goodbye, my beautiful Naples
Goodbye, goodbye
Your gentle image
Who can ever, who can ever forget
The blue sky shining
The placid sea
How the heart is re-enraptured
Burning, burning with voluptuousness
The sky, the earth and the gentle breeze
Create love
And alone in my sorrow
From the harbor I’ll dream, yes,
I’ll dream
Goodbye, my beautiful Naples
Goodbye, goodbye
Farewell, dear memories
Of the time that passed
Other skies call out to me,
Goodbye, goodbye
But this heart longs for you
And my heart, and my heart I will leave with you
With kisses and harmony
It is your aura . . . the seacoast
Oh magical mermaid
I’ll be loyal, loyal to you
With my tender thoughts
The moments return,
The joys and memories
Of my happy days
My happy days
Goodbye, my beautiful Naples
Goodbye, goodbye
Farewell, dear memories
Of the time that passed
(repeat last refrain)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Allu Tiempu de li Lupini
(See also Da Milano a Torino in “Northern Songs”, which
has a similar refrain and probably the same tune)
(This version, found on http://www.laterradelrimorso.it, is from Spongano in Puglia/Apulia; the right column is standard Italian)
Allu Tiempu de li Lupini Al Tempo del Lupini (lupin flowers)
Allu tiempu de li lupini Quando è tempo dei lupini
Ne facimu li ricchini compreremo gli orecchini (earrings)
Amore amore amor amore amore amor
Amore amore amor amore amore amor
Allu tiempu de li lupini Quando è tempo dei lupini
Ne facimu li ricchini compreremo gli orecchini
Amore amore amor amore amore amor
Lu garrofalu è nu bel fior. Il garofano è un bel fior.
(Same pattern below, always ending with “lu garrofalu è nu bel fior”)
Rit.:
Se la rosa non è spinosa Se la rosa non è spinosa
Lu garrofalu è n’autra cosa Il garofano è un’altra cosa.
Allu tiempu de meti e messi Al tempo della mietitura (harvest; mowing)
Cerchi lu zitu cu te n’essi cerchi il fidanzato per uscire
(look for a fiance, to escape it with)
Rit.
Allu tiempu de le fave Quando è tempo di coglier fave
Ne facimu le suttane Ci faremo le sottane (skirts)
Rit.
Allu tiempu de lu tabaccu Quando è tempo di tabacco
Oju le scarpe cullu taccu Vorrò le scarpe con il tacco
(I want high heels)
Rit.
Allu tiempu de le ulie Quando è tempo di raccogliere olive
Se maritine le uddhrie Si maritano le donne brutte
Rit.
Rough translation:
When it is the time of the lupin flowers
We will buy earrings
Love, love, love
Love, love love
When it is the time of the lupin flowers
We will buy earrings
Love, love, love
The carnation is a beautiful flower.
(Same pattern below, always ending with “The carnation is a beautiful flower.”)
If the rose is not thorny
The carnation is another thing.
At the time of the harvest
Look for a boyfriend to leave with
When it is time to harvest beans
We’ll make skirts
When it’s tobacco time
I would like shoes with heels
When it’s time to pick the olives
The ugly women get married
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Canto dei Sanfedisti
A lu suono de grancascia
Viva lu populo bascio.
A lu suono de tamburrielli
So’ risurte li puverielli.
A lu suono de campane
Viva viva li pupulane.
A lu suono de viuline
Morte alli giacubbine.
[Refrain]:
Sona sona
Sona Carmagnola
Sona li cunziglia
Viva ‘o rre cu la famiglia
(repeat)
A sant’Eremo tanto forte
L’hanno fatto comme ‘a ricotta
A ‘stu cornuto sbrevognato
L’hanno miso ‘a mitria ‘ncapa.
Maistà chi t’ha traruto
Chistu stommaco chi ha avuto.
‘E signure ‘e cavaliere
Te vulevano priggiuniere.
[Refrain]
Alli tridece de giugno
Sant’Antonio glurioso
‘E signure ‘sti birbante
‘E facettero ‘o mazzo tanto.
So’ venute li Francise
Aute tasse ‘nce hanno mise
Liberté, egalité
Tu arrubbe a me
I’arrobbo a ttè . . .
[Refrain]
Li Francise so’ arrivate
‘Nce hanno bbuono carusate
E vualà e vualà
Cavece ‘nculo alla libertà.
A lu ponte ‘a Maddelena
‘Onna Luisa è asciuta prena,
E tre miedece che banno
Nun la ponno fa sgravà.
[Refrain]
A lu muolo senza guerra
Se tiraje l’albero ‘nterra
Afferrajeno ‘e giacubbine
‘E facettero ‘na mappina.
‘E fernuta l’uguaglianza
È fernuta la libertà.
Pe’ vuje so dulure ‘e panza
Signo’ jateve a cucca’.
[Refrain]
Passaje lu mese chiuvoso
Lu ventuso e l’addiruso
A lu mese ca se mete
Hanno avuto l’aglio arrete.
Viva tata maccarone
Ca rispetta la religione.
Giacubbine jate a mmare
Ca v’abbrucia lu panare.
[Refrain]
[Additional verse]
Addò è gghiuta ‘onna Eleonora
C’abballava ‘coppa ‘o teatro
Mò abballa miez’ ‘o mercato
‘Nzieme cu mastu Donato.
Rough translation:
[Note: I am “stealing” most of the English translation of the lyrics, and some accompanying remarks, from the Youtube website “Ex Cathedra”. In recompense, I direct interested viewers to the version of the song on that site, since to me it is the most interesting one.]
To the sound of the bass drum:
Long live the lower class!
To the sound of the snare drum:
The poor people rose up!
To the sound of the bells:
Hail, hail to the commoners!
To the sound of the violins:
Death to the Jacobins!
[Refrain]:
It’s playing, it’s playing
The Carmagnole is playing!
Sound the muster,
Long live the King and his family!
(repeat)
The Castle of St. Elmo that was so strong – –
They have reduced it to a mush. [1]
This shameless cuckold – –
They put a miter on his head. [2]
Majesty, who has betrayed you?
Who had the stomach to do that?
The nobles and knights
Wanted to imprison you.
[Refrain]
On the thirteenth of June
Glorious Saint Anthony [3]
The masters were beaten up
By the rascals.
The French have come
And have imposed new taxes.
Liberté, Egalité . . .
You rob me, I rob you.
[Refrain]
The French have arrived
And already bled us dry
“Et voilà, et voilà” – –
A kick up liberty’s ass.
At the Magdalene Bridge
Lady Luisa stood pregnant.
And three doctors came
But couldn’t make her deliver. [4]
[Refrain]
At the dock after the war
The Tree has been pulled down [5]
They have caught the Jacobins
And crumpled them like rags.
It’s the end of Equality,
It’s the end of Liberty.
For now they have belly aches;
Gentlemen, go to bed!
[Refrain]
The rainy month went by
Also the windy and angry months, [6]
And in the reaping month
They had the garlic stopped. [7]
Long live Tata Macaroni,
Who respects religion! [8]
Throw the Jacobins into the sea,
May their asses burn!
[Refrain]
[Additional verse]:
Goodbye to Lady Eleonora
Who danced at the theater
She dances in the marketplace
With Master Donato. [9]
[refrain]
(“Song of the Army of the Holy Faith”. This song needs a lot of background information, which I gleaned from various sources. After the French Revolution, King Ferdinand IV of Naples (of the House of Bourbon) joined the royalist wars against the revolutionaries (and then Napoleon) several times, once more in 1798, with the support of the British navy. The French attacked Naples and drove out the king. The French were supported by at least part of the nobility, educated classes, bourgeoisie and townspeople who, in 1799 proclaimed the Parthenopean Republic. (Parthenope was the ancient Greek name for Naples.) The king fled to Rome and eventually to Palermo, Sicily, and he sent Cardinal Fabrizio Ruffo back to Calabria to organize a counter-revolution. It was Cardinal Ruffo who called for a “Christian Army of the Holy Faith” (“Santa Fede”; hence his followers were the Sanfedisti). Ruffo was supported not only by the British and other pro-royalist governments (and of course by many in the Church) but also by Calabrian peasants and brigands, and by the lazzaroni (or lazzari) of Naples (the poorest of the lower class; the lumpen proletariat ). The lazzaroni were religious and also liked King Ferdiand, who enjoyed mingling with the commoners. After several battles throughout Campania and atrocities by both sides the Sanfedisti re-took Naples later in 1799. Many of the Republicans who surrendered were executed (including Luisa Sanfelice and Eleonora Fonseca Pimentel, mentioned in the song), imprisoned or exiled. Getting back to the song, in particular to the refrain, The Carmagnole was a song/dance (originally from Piedmont in Italy) that, with adapted revolutionary lyrics, was popular with the Jacobins. The refrain actually is mocking or responding to the Carmagnole. Some sources say that the tune of the Sanfedisti is based on the Carmagnole, but to me they seem quite different. By the way, looking at viewers’ comments on the various websites about Canto dei Sanfedisti, I found that there still are fervent monarchists, in southern Italy, France and other countries. And apparently the song still is popular with southerners with remaining grievances against the north and unification. Finally, the following footnotes will explain some of the references in the song. Grade: B+.)
[1] The commoners were barricaded in Castel Sant’Elmo, or Eremo in Neapolitan.
[2] Possibly a reference to Bishop Giovanni Andrea Serrao, who supported the republicans.
[3] The day of the Feast of Saint Anthony, as well as the day that the Sanfedisti re-took Naples. For some time St. Anthony was favored by them over San Gennaro, who had support among the republicans.
[4] ‘Onna [“Donna” in standard Italian] Luisa refers to Lady Luisa Sanfelice, a supporter of the Jacobins. Captured by the Sanfedisti and facing the death penalty, she claimed pregnancy to avoid the sentence. But no doctor could make her give birth, so she was hanged.
[5] The tree is a reference to the Tree of May or Tree of Liberty, a symbol of the revolutionaries.
[6] This is a reference to the new calendar months imposed by the French Revolution; specifically here to Pluviôse (“rainy”, from January 20th), Ventôse (“windy”, from February 20th) and probably to the angry winds of March. The reaping or harvest month was Messidor, from June 20th. The Sanfedists re-took Naples in that month; June 13th on our calendar.
[7] My somewhat literal translation is “they had the garlic stopped”, but others translate that line as “they raged” or “they discovered your fraud”. Sorry for the vulgarity, but if my interpretation is correct (following some comments that hint at this), there was a prank in which someone shoved garlic or ginger up the victim’s ass, to cause a burning sensation. Presumably this was done to some of the defeated French or local Jacobins. This is supported by other references in the verses about bellyaches and about throwing their burning asses into the sea.
[8] Some say that Tata Maccarone (“Daddy Macaroni”) refers to a brigand who respected religion, but I found more sources that say it refers to King Ferdinand IV, who was adored by the commoners for hunting and fishing with them and for enjoying macaroni, beloved by the Neapolitans.
[9] Eleonora Fonseca Pimentel was an Italian poet and revolutionary. The reference to dancing in the marketplace probably means “dancing from a rope”, since she was hanged by the Sanfedisti in August of 1799, presumably by “Master Donato”, the generic name for the king’s executioner. (Lady Eleonora had requested a beheading, befitting her nobility, but this was denied to her because she supported the Jacobins.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
C’è La Luna in Mezzo al Mare
(also called Salsiccia e Baccalà, etc.)
C’è la luna mezz’o mare
Mamma mia me maritari
Figghia mia, a cu te dari? (or, Ficchia mia, etc.)
Mamma mia, pensaci tu?
Se ti do un chianchiare (or, Si ci dugnu lu) (chianchiare = butcher)
Iddu va, iddu veni (or, izzu va, izzu veni, etc.)
Sempe sassic’ in manu tene
Se c’e in gappa la fantasia (If he gets it into his head)
Ti sasizzia la figghia mia
La lario la salsicc’ e baccalà (or, pisce fritta baccalà)
Eh, gumbà, ‘na salsiccia aggi’accatà (accatare = old Italian for “to buy”)
(Then, same pattern as above:)
barbieri … rasolu ….. ti rasulia
zuppunaro … zappuni (plow) … ti zappunia
falignami … ‘u chianuzzu. . . Ti chianuzulia (woodmaker; plane)
lu scapparu . . . ‘u matteddu . . ti matteddia (shoemaker; hammer)
etc., etc.
Next, Lou Monte’s version:
(First verse is about the butcher boy, similar to the above. Then:)
C’e la luna mezza’o mare
Mamma mia m’ho maritari
Figlia mia a cu t’ho dare?
Mamma mia pensacitu
Se ti piglia lu pisciaolo
Issu va, issu viene
Sempre lu pisce a mano tiene
Se c’in gappa la fantasia
Ti pisciulia figgiuzza mia
La lario la pisci fritt’e baccala
Oeh cumpa, u galamar’ ci haggia catta (= calamari)
“Lazy Mary, you better get up.”
She answered back, “I am not able.”
“Lazy Mary, you gotta get up,
We need the sheets for the table.”
Lazy Mary, you smoke in bed –
There’s only one man you should marry.
My advice to you would be
To pay attention to me.
You’d better marry a fireman,
He’ll come and go, go and come
Sempre la pompa a mano tiene
Se c’in gappa la fantasia
Ti pomperia figgiuzza mia
La lario la pisci fritt’ e baccalà
Oeh cumpa, na pompina ci haggia catta
Dimmi cumma ca mi voglio marita
Dammi na vagliotta ca mi voglio marita
Dammi na vagliotta ca mi voglio marita
Dammi na vagliotta ca mi voglio marita HEY!
Rough translation:
There’s the moon in the middle of the sea
Mother, marry me off
My daughter, to whom shall I give you?
Mother, what do you think?
If I give you the butcher boy
He goes, he comes,
He always has his sausage in his hand
If he gets it into his head,
He’ll sausage you, my daughter
Refrain:
La lario la, sausage and dried codfish
Hey, buddy, I want to buy a sausage
(Then, same pattern as above:)
barber . . . razor . . . he’ll razor you
plowman . . . plow . . . he’ll plow you
woodmaker . . . plane . . . he’ll scrape you
shoemaker . . . hammer . . . he’ll hammer you
etc., etc.
Next, Lou Monte’s version:
(First verse is about the butcher boy, similar to the above. Same refrain. Then:)
If you pick a fisherman
He goes, he comes
Always with his fish in his hand
If he gets it into his head
He’ll fish you, my daughter
Refrain:
La lario la, fried fish and baccala
Hey, buddy, I want to buy a calamari
“Lazy Mary, you better get up.”
She answered back, “I am not able.”
“Lazy Mary, you gotta get up,
We need the sheets for the table.”
Lazy Mary, you smoke in bed –
There’s only one man you should marry.
My advice to you would be
To pay attention to me.
You’d better marry a fireman,
He’ll come and go, go and come
Always with his pump in his hand
If he gets it into his head
He’ll pump you, my daughter
La lario la, fried fish and dried codfish
Hey, buddy, I want to buy a little pump
Tell me, auntie, who I should marry
Give me your vote who I should marry
Give me your vote who I should marry
Give me your vote who I should marry HEY!
(The Moon is Over the Sea”. Most Americans have heard the tune even if not knowing what it is about. I am told that it was sung in one of the Godfather movies, and it is played in the stadium at Mets games at least through 2018. It is a ribald song. The mother is trying to choose a husband for the daughter who wants to get married, but all the guys are too randy. The butcher boy always goes around with his sausage in his hand. If you don’t watch out he will sausage you. The fireman runs around with his pump in his hand and he will pump you. And so on. I like the Lou Monte verse in English about chasing Lazy Mary out of bed because the family needs the sheets for a tablecloth. Grade: B+.)
The next number, La Danza, is not a folk song. The music was composed in 1835 by Gioachino Rossini, with lyrics by Carlo Pepoli. It is included here because it is said that its first line was an inspiration for C’è la Luna Mezz’o Mare. If I were to give it its own place in this collection, I wouldn’t know where to put it. The composer and lyricist were from northern(ish) Italy, the words are in standard Italian (thus, originating from central Italy) and the tune is based on Neapolitan tarantella dances.
Danza, La
Gìa la luna è in mezzo al mare,
mamma mia, si salterà!
L’ora è bella per danzare
Chi è in amor non mancherà.
Gìa la luna è in mezzo al mare,
mamma mia, si salterà!
(repeat last two lines)
Presto in danza a tondo a tondo
Donne mie venite qua,
Un garzon bello e giocondo
A ciascuna toccherà.
Finchè in ciel brilla una stella
E la luna splenderà.
Il più bel con la più bella
Tutta notte danzerà.
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
Già la luna è in mezzo al mare,
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
Mamma mia, si salterà.
Frinche, frinche, frinche,
Frinche, frinche, frinche,
Mamma mia, si salterà.
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la
(repeat)
Salta, salta, gira, gira.
Ogni coppia a cerchio va,
Già s’avenza si ritira
E all’assalto tornerà.
Già s’avenza si ritira
E all’assalto tornerà.
Serra, serra colla bionda,
colla bruna và qua e là
colla rossa và a seconda,
colla smorta fermo sta.
Viva il ballo a tondo a tondo,
Sono un Re, sono un Pascià.
È il più bel piacer del mondo,
La più cara voluttà.
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
Già la luna è in mezzo al mare,
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
Mamma mia, si salterà.
Frinche, frinche, frinche,
Frinche, frinche, frinche,
Mamma mia, si salterà.
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la
(repeat)
Rough translation:
The moon is already over the sea,
Mamma mia, it’s going to jump!
The time is right for dancing,
Whoever is in love will not want to miss it.
The moon is already over the sea,
Mamma mia, it’s going to jump!
Soon we’ll be dancing round and round.
My ladies, come here,
A handsome and joyful lad
Will take a turn with each off you.
While a star twinkles in the sky
And the moon shines.
The handsomest guy and most beautiful girl
Will dance all night.
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
The moon is already over the sea,
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
Mamma mia, it’s going to jump!
Frinche, frinche, frinche, frinche,
Frinche, frinche, frinche, frinche,
Mamma mia, it’s going to jump!
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la
(repeat)
Jumping, jumping, turning, turning,
Every couple goes in a circle,
Now advancing, now withdrawing,
Then returning to the attack.
Now advancing, now withdrawing,
Then returning to the attack.
Hold the blond closely, closely,
Go here and there with the brunette,
Go next with the redhead,
With the pale one, stay still.
Long live the dance, round and round.
I’m a king, I’m a pasha,
It’s the greatest pleasure in the world,
The dearest delight.
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
The moon is already over the sea,
Mamma mia, mamma mia,
Mamma mia, it’s going to jump!
Frinche, frinche, frinche, frinche,
Frinche, frinche, frinche, frinche,
Mamma mia, it’s going to jump!
La la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la
(repeat)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Core ‘Ngrato
Catarì, Catarì
Pecchè me dici sti parole amare
Pecchè me parle e ‘o core me turmiente, Catarì?
Nun te scurdà ca t’aggio dato ‘o core, Catarì
Nun te scurdà
Catarì, Catarì che vene a dicere
Stu parlica me dì spaseme?
Tu nun’nce pienze a stu dulore mio,
tu nun’nce pienze
tu nun te ne cure
Core, core ‘ngrato
T’aie pigliato ‘a vita mia
Tutt’ è passato e
Nun’nce pienze chiù
Catarì, Catarì
Tu nun ‘o ssaje ca
Fino e ‘int’a na chiesa
Io so trasuto a aggiu pregato a Dio,
Catarì.
E ll’aggio ditto pure a ‘o cunfessore
“Stò a suffrì pe’ chella llà
stò a suffrì
stò a suffrì nun se pè redere
stò a suffrì tutte li strazie”
E ‘o cunfessore, che’à perzona santa,
mm’ha ditto: “Figliu mio
lla sala stà, lla sala stà”
Core, core ‘ngrato
T’aie pigliato ‘a vita mia
Tutt’ è passato e
Nun’nce pienze chiù
Tutt’ è passato e
Nun’nce pienze chiù
Rough translation:
Catherine, Catherine,
Why do you say to me these bitter words?
Why do you speak and torment my heart, Catherine?
Do not forget that I have given you my heart, Catherine,
Do not forget.
Catherine, Catherine why do you speak
To give me pain?
You never think of my sorrow
You never think
You do not care
Refrain:
Heart, ungrateful heart.
You have taken over my life
It’s all over,
And you think of me no more.
Catherine, Catherine,
You don’t know that
Even in church
I have prayed to God,
Catherine.
And I have told the confessor,
I am suffering because of her,
I am suffering.
My suffering has no redemption,
I am suffering all kinds of anguish.”
And the priest, who is a holy person,
Said to me, “My son,
Leave it be, leave it be.”
(Refrain)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Eh Compari
Eh compari, ci vo sunari
Chi ci sono? U friscalettu.
E comu so sono u friscalettu?
(whistle: phweet phweet phweet phweet) e bibbity bobbity boo
(or, tipiti tipiti tam)
Eh compari, ci vo sunari
Chi ci sono? U saxofono.
E comu so sono u saxofono?
Tu tu tu tu u saxofono
Phweet phweet phweet phweet u friscalettu,
e bibbity bobbity boo
(Same pattern below, adding each instrument then singing them all in reverse order, as above.)
u viulinu: a zing a zing
u mandulin: a pling a pling
La trumbetta: papa papa
La trombona: a fumma a fumma
La clarinetta: toot toot toot toot
La timpania: rappapapa
Rough translation:
Hey, buddies, I want to play an instrument.
What will you play? A little flute.
And how does a little flute sound?
phweet phweet phweet phweet
phweet phweet phweet phweet
tipiti tipiti tam
Hey, buddies, I want to play an instrument.
What will you play? A saxophone.
And how does a saxophone sound?
Tu tu tu tu the saxophone
Phweet phweet phweet phweet the little flute,
e bibbity bobbity boo
(Same pattern below, adding each instrument then singing them all in reverse order, as above.)
the violin: a zing a zing
the mandolin : a pling a pling
The trumpet: papa papa
The trombone: a fumma a fumma
The clarinet: toot toot toot toot
The kettle drum: rappapapa
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Funiculì, Funiculà
Refrain:
Jammo, jammo, jammo jammo, jà
Jammo, jammo, ncoppa jammo ja.
Funiculì funiculà funiculì funiculà
Ncoppa jammo jà funiculì funiculà
Aissera, Nanninè, me ne sogliette,
tu saie addò, tu saie addò.
Addò, sto core ngrato chiù di spiete;
farme non po’, farme non po’.
Addò, llo fuoco coce ma si fuje
Te lasso stà, Te lasso stà.
E non te corre appriesso, non te struje,
sulo a guardà, sulo a guardà.
Refrain
Se n’è sagliuta, oje né, se n’è sagliuta,
La capa già, la capa già.
E ghiuta, po’ è tornata, e po’ è venuta
Sta sempe ccà, sta sempe ccà
La capa vota vota attuorno, attuorno,
Attuorno a te, attuorno a te.
Llo core canta, sempe no taluorno,
Sposammo, oje né, spossamo, oje né!
Refrain
Translation, from the Wikipedia page about the song, that seems fairly literal:
Refrain:
Let’s go, let’s go! To the top we’ll go!
Let’s go, let’s go! To the top we’ll go!
Funiculì funiculà funiculì funiculà
To the top we’ll go, funiculi, funicula!
I climbed up high this evening, oh, Nanetta,
Do you know where? Do you know where?
Where your ungrateful heart no longer pains me
With teasing wiles! With teasing wiles!
Where fire burns, but if you run away,
It lets you be, it lets you be!
It doesn’t follow after nor torment you
Just with a look, just with a look.
Refrain
The car has climbed up high, see, climbed up high now,
Right to the top! Right to the top!
It went, and turned around, and came back down,
And now it’s stopped! And now it’s stopped!
The top is turning around, and round, and round,
Around yourself! Around yourself!
My heart is singing that on such a day
We should be wed! We should be wed!
Refrain
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
‘I Te Vurria Vasà
Ah! Che bell’aria fresca
Ch’addora e malvarosa
E tu durmenno staje
Ncopp’a sti ffronne ‘e rosa.
‘O sole a poco a poco
pe ‘stu ciardino sponta;
‘o viento passa e vasa
‘stu ricciulillo ‘nfronta
Refrain:
‘I te vurria vasà
‘I te vurria vasà
Ma ‘o core nun m’ ‘o
Ddice ‘e te scetà.
‘I me vurria addurmì
‘I me vurria addurmì
vicino ‘o sciato tujo
n’ora pur’i
Sento ‘stu core tujo
che sbatte comm’ ‘a ll’one.
Durmenno, angelo mio
Chi sa tu a chi te suonne
‘a gelusia turmenta
‘stu core mio malato
te suonne a me? Dimello
O pure suonne a n’ato?
Refrain
Rough translation:
Oh, what nice fresh air
That smells of hollyhocks.
And you are sleeping
On those pink fronds
The sun slowly
Rises over this garden
The wind passes by and kisses
The curl on your forehead
Refrain:
I’d like to kiss you
I’d like to kiss you
But my heart says
That I shouldn’t wake you
I’d like to sleep
I’d like to sleep
Near your breath
For an hour, me, too.
I hear your heart
That beats like the waves.
Sleep, my angel.
Who knows who you dream of
Jealousy torments
This sick heart of mine.
Do you dream of me? Tell me.
Or do you dream of another?
Refrain
##########################################
Stuffed Artichokes
This is my Grandma Angelina’s recipe as best that I can remember it.
Ingredients:
6 or more tbs. olive oil
8 artichokes
Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
4 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 cups bread crumbs
3 eggs, beaten
½ cup grated cheese
½ cup parsley, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
OR
2 cups white wine
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions:
Rinse the artichokes well under running water.
Cut off the stems of the artichokes so that they will stand up, but save the stems. Cut ¾ inch off the top. Cut the sharp/prickly ends of the leaves.
Pull back the leaves and remove the hairy “choke” in the middle, above the heart, with a small spoon, but do not remove the heart, which is the best part.
Cut off and discard the tough skin of the stems, and chop up the rest of the stems into small pieces.
Rub the artichokes with the lemon juice to prevent them from turning brown, if desired.
Combine the garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt (if desired) and pepper to taste, and the pieces of the stem. Then add a bit of olive oil and stir until the mixture is like a paste.
Stuff the artichokes with this mixture, down the hole where the choke was and between the leaves.
Place the artichokes in a large saucepan (Le Creuset, etc.). Add the wine or broth to the pot, and enough water to come up to ¾ of the sides of the artichokes. Drizzle the tops of the artichokes with a small amount of olive oil.
Cover the pot/pan and bring the water to a boil. Cook for 30 minutes or so, until you can easily pierce the bottoms with a knife.
Let cool a bit, and serve. They are even better at room temperature.
#######################################
Southern Songs M to Z
Marechiare
Quanno sponta la luna a Marechiare
Pure li pisce nce fann’ a l’ammore.
Se revotano l’onne de lu mare
Pe la priezza cagneno culore
Quanno spanta la luna a Marechiare
A Marechiare nce sta na fenesta
Pe’ la passione mia nce tuzzulea
Nu carofano adora int’a na testa
Passa l’acqua pe sotto e murmureà
A Marechiare nce sta na fenesta.
A Marechiare, a Marechiare
A Marechiare nce sta na fenesta.
Chi dice ca li stelle so lucente
Nun sape l’uocchie ca tu tiene nfronte.
Sti doje stelle li saccio io sulamente
Dint’a lu core ne tengo li ponte
Chi dice ca li stelle so lucente.
Scetate, Carulì, ca l’aria è doce,
quanno maie tanto tiempo aggio aspettato
pe’ accompagnà li suone cu la voce
stasera na chitarra aggio portato.
Scetate, Carulì, ca l’aria è doce.
O scetate, o scetate
Scetate, Carulì, ca l’aria è doce.
Rough translation:
When the moon rises at Marechiare
Even the fish make love.
The waves of the sea are churning,
Changing colors for joy
When the moon rises at Marechiare
At Marechiare there is a window
To where my passion knocks
The smell of a carnation enters my head
The water passing below is murmuring
At Marechiare there is a window
At Marechiare, at Marechiare
At Marechiare there is a window
He who says that the stars are bright
Does not know your eyes.
Only I know these two stars
I will place them in my heart
He who says that the stars are bright
Wake up, Caroline, the air is sweet
When have I waited so long?
To blend sounds with my voice
Tonight I have brought a guitar
Wake up, Caroline, the air is sweet
Oh wake, oh awaken
Wake up, Caroline, the air is sweet
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Marenariello, O
Oi’ ne’, fa priesto viene!
Nun me fa spanteca’.
Ca pure ‘a rezza vene
ca a mmare sto a mena’
Me stienne sti bracelle,
aiutame a tira’ . . .
ca stu marenariello
te vo’ semp’ abbraccia’!
Refrain:
Vicino ‘o mare
Facimmo ammore,
a ccore a ccore
pe’ n ’ce spassa’ . . .
so marenare
e tiro ‘a rezza,
ma p’ allerezza
stongo a muri’!
Oje ne, i tiro ‘a rezza
e tu statte a guarda’
li pisce p’ ‘a priezza
come stann’ a zumpa’!
E vide pure e stelle
Tu faie innammura’
Ca stu marenariello
Tu faie suspira’ . . .
Refrain
Rough translation:
Hey, come quickly!
Don’t make me suffer so,
The net is drawing near, too,
And the sea is getting stirred up
Grab my arms,
Help me pull . . .
This sailor
Wants to hold you forever!
Refrain:
Near the sea
We make love
Heart to heart
We pass the time
I am a sailor
And I pull the nets
But for joy
I could die!
Oh, I pull the net
And you are there watching
The fish that are jumping
Out of joy.
And also look at the moon
That you have enamored.
As for this sailor,
You make me sigh.
Refrain
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Maria, Marì
Aràpate fenesta!
Famme affaccià a Maria
Ca stòngo ‘mmiez’ ‘a via
Speruto d’ ‘a vedè
Nun trovo n’ora ‘e pace
‘a notte ‘a faccio juorno
sempe pe’ stà ccà attuorno
speranno ‘e ce parlà!
Refrain:
Oje Marì’, oje Marì’
Quanta suonno ca perdo pe’ te! (or, già versa)
Famme addurmi,
abbracciato nu poco cu te (or, una notte abbracciato cu te)
Oje Marì’, oje Marì’
Quanta suonno ca perdo pe’ te! (or, già versa)
Famme addurmi,
Oje Marì’, oje Marì’!
Pare che già s’arape
Na senga ‘e fenestella
Maria cu ‘a manella
Nu segno a me mne fa!
Sona chitarra mia!
Maria s’e scetata . . .
Na scicca serenata
Faccimole sentì.
Refrain
Rough translation:
Open, window!
Let me see Maria
I’m here in the street
Hoping to see her.
I can’t find an hour’s peace,
From night until it becomes daybreak,
Because I’m always around here,
Hoping she’ll talk to me.
Refrain:
Oh Mari’, oh Mari’,
How much sleep I have lost over you!
Let me sleep
Embracing you a little.
Oh Mari’, oh Mari’,
How much sleep I have lost over you!
Let me sleep,
Oh Mari’, oh Mari’
It seems that it’s already opening.
The little window is cracking open.
Maria, with her little hand,
is signaling to me.
Play, my guitar,
Maria is awake.
Play for her a chic seranade
For her to listen to.
(Refrain)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
‘O Paese d’o Sole
Ogge sto’ tanto allero
Ca, quase quase mme mettesse a chiagnere pe’ sta felicità.
Ma è vero o nun è vero ca so’ turnato a Napule?
Ma è vero ca sto ccà.
‘O treno stava ancora int’ ‘a stazione
Quanno aggio ‘ntiso ‘e primme manduline.
Refrain:
Chi stò ‘o paese d’ ‘o sole,
chi stò ‘o paese d’ ‘o mare,
Chi stò ‘o paese addè tutt’ ‘e pparole,
so doce o so amare,
so sempre parole d’ammore.
Tutto tutto destino.
Comme putevo fa’ fortuna all’ estero
S’ io voglio gamba ccà?
Mettite un flisco d’nfrisco ‘o vino
Tanto ne voglio vevere
Ca mm’ aggi a’mbriacà
Dint ‘a sti quatto mure io sto contento
Mamma mme sta vicino e nenna canta
Refrain
Rough translation:
Today I am so happy
That it almost, almost makes me cry from joy.
Is it really true that I’ve returned to Naples?
Yes, I’m really here.
The train is still in the station
And I can already hear the first mandolins.
Refrain:
This is the country of the sun,
This is the country of the sea,
This is the country where all words,
Be they bitter or sweet,
Are always words of love.
All, all is destiny
How could I have made my fortune in a foreign land
If I had wanted to live here?
Fill my glass with wine.
I love to drink it so much
That already it intoxicates me
I am content within these four walls.
My mother is near and my girl is singing.
Refrain
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
‘O Sole Mio
Che bella cosa na jurnata ‘e sole,
n’aria serena doppo na tempesta.
Pe’ ll’aria fresca pare già na festa
Che bella cosa na jurnata ‘e sole.
Refrain:
Ma n’atu sole
Cchiù bello, oi né
‘o sole mio
sta ’nfronte a te
‘o sole, ‘o sole mio
sta ‘nfronte a te
sta ‘nfronte a te
L ene ‘ llastre dà fenesta toia;
‘na lavannara canta e se ne vanta
e pe’ tramente torce, spanna e canta
L ene ‘ llastre dà fenesta toia.
Refrain
Quanno fa notte
E ‘o sole se ne scenne
Me vene quase ‘na malincunia
Sotto ‘a fenesta toia restarria
Quanno fa notte
E ‘o sole se ne scenne
Refrain
Rough translation:
What a beautiful thing is a sunny day,
A serene air after a storm.
The fresh air makes it seem like there has been a festival.
What a beautiful thing is a sunny day.
Refrain:
But there is another sun,
Which is no less beautiful.
My sun
Is the one I see in your face
My sun, my sun
Is the one I see in your face
There is a luster from your window.
A washerwoman is singing and boasting,
Wringing, spreading clothes and singing.
There is a luster from your window.
(Refrain)
When night comes and the sun sets
Something like a melancholy comes to me
I’ll stay under your window
When night comes and the sun sets
(Refrain)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
‘O Surdato ‘Nnammurato
Words ( in Neapolitan) by Aniello Califano; music composed by Enrico Cannio, 1915
Staje luntana da stu core
E a te volo cu’ ‘o penziero:
Niente voglio e niente spero
Ca tenerte sempe a ffianco a me!
Si’ sicura ‘e chist’ammore
Comm’i so’ sicuro ‘e te . . .
Refrain:
Oje vita, oje vita mia,
Oje core, ‘e chistu core,
si’ stata ‘o primm’ammore,
e ‘o primmo e ll’ultimo sarrà pe’ me! [or, ‘ll’urdemo sarraje]
Quanta notte nun te veco
Nun te sento in fra sti bracia, [or, bbracce]
Nun te vaso chesta faccia,
Nun t’ astrengo forte ‘mbraccio a me? [or, astregno]
Ma, scetanomi ‘a sti suonne, [or, scentànnome]
Mme faj chiagnere pe te [or, faje]
[Refrain]
Scrive sempre è sta’ cuntenta [or, sempe]
Io nun penzo che a te sola,
Nu penziero mme cunzola,
Ca tu pienze sulament’ a me.
‘A cchiù bella ‘e tutt ‘e belle [or, bbelle]
Nun è maj cchiù bella a te! [or, maje]
[Refrain]
In standard Italian:
Sei lontana da questo cuore,
A te volo con il pensiero:
Niente voglio e niente spero
Oltre che tenerti sempre as fianco a me!
Sei sicura di questo amore
Come io sono sicuro di te . . .
Refrain:
Oh vita, Oh vita mia,
Oh cuore di questo cuore . . .
Sei stata il primo amore . . .
E il primo e l’ultimo sarai per me!
Quante notti non ti vedo,
Non ti sento tra queste braccia,
Non ti bacio questa faccia,
Non ti stringo forte tra le mie braccia!
Ma, svegliandomi da questi sogni,
Mi fa piangere per te . . .
[Refrain]
Scrivi sempre che sei contenta
Io non penso che a te solamente . . .
Un pensiero mi console
Che tu pensi solamente a me . . .
La più bella di tutte le belle
Non è mai più bella di te!
[Refrain]
Rough translation:
You are far from this heart.
I fly to you with this thought:
I want nothing and I hope for nothing
Other than to keep you always by my side!
Be sure of this love,
As I am sure of you . . .
Refrain:
Oh life, oh my life . . .
Oh heart of this heart . . .
You were my first love . . .
And will be the first and last one for me!
How many nights I don’t see you,
I don’t feel you in these arms,
This face doesn’t kiss you,
I don’t hold you tight in my arms!
But, waking up from these dreams
I fall to crying for you . . .
[Refrain]
You always write that you are happy
I don’t think of you alone . . .
A thought consoles me,
That you only think of me . . .
The most beautiful of all the beauties
Is never more beautiful than you!
[Refrain]
(“The Soldier in Love”. Another Neapolitan canzone, included here because I heard it sung all around the Naples area at Christmas in 2017. Going by the words and subject matter, this would seem to be a sad song of the loneliness of a soldier far from home during the First World War. However, all the versions I have heard, including by Pavarotti and Bocelli, are lively and cheerful. Maybe that is why it is the anthem of the Naples soccer team, S.S.C. Napoli. Or maybe the reverse: the soccer fans put more pep into their version and that became the standard. Grade: B.)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Parlami d’Amore Mariù
Parlami d’amore Mariù
Tutta la mia vita sei tu
Gli occhi tuoi belli brillano
Fiamme di sogno scintillano
Dimmi che illusione non è
Dimmi che sei tutta per me
Qui sul tuo cuor non soffro più
Parlami d’amore Mariù.
Rough translation:
Speak to me of love, Maria,
My whole life is you.
Your beautiful eyes shine,
Flames of my dream sparkle.
Tell me it’s not an illusion,
Tell me you are all for me
Here in your arms I will suffer no more.
Speak to me of love, Maria.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pepino the Italian Mouse
(Pepino ‘u Suricillu)
As sung by Lou Monte (and Pepino), in Calabrese and English.
[Pepino]: Signore e signori io mi chiamo Pepino u suricillu.
[Lou]: And what a mulignan. (eggplant)
Pepino, Oh you little mouse , why don’t you go away
And find yourself another house to run around and play
You scare my girl, you eat my cheese, you even drink my wine.
I try so hard to catch you but you trick me all the time.
Ce sta nu suricillo abbaso u cella dinda u mur’
Ogni sera quell esce quannu ‘a casa è scur’
Indu u mienzi la cucina abballa sulu sul’
Ma pare nu malandrino pura ‘a gata ‘ssa paur’
Refrain:
Pepino u suricillo ma fattu scumbarì
Mannaggia u suricillo a casa ‘nna ddà i
Stasira inda cucina nu poco e vino aggià ‘lassà
E quannu si ‘mbriaga a Pepino aggià ‘ngappà
[Pepino]: Ma tu chi si Siciliano?
[Lou]: No! I’m Calabrese, you nut!
The other night I called my girl, I asked if we could meet,
I said let’s go to my house, we could have a bite to eat.
And as we walked in throught the door she screamed at what she saw.
There was little Pepino doing the cha cha on the floor.
Refrain
[Pepino]: Ma come finiu? A schifio? (How did it end? Was it foul?)
[Lou]: If I ever catch you I’m gonna throw you right in the bagnaròl! (wash tub)
Chello nun si piace u formaggio American
Chello va truvannu nu poco u parmungian
Se fattu chiatto chiatto cu sta vita buon’ (chiattone = fat)
E quannu ch’ill cammina pare proprio nu galanduom’
Refrain
[Pepino]: Luigi, I got a present for you.
[Lou]: Ah, you’re a nice mouse.
[Pepino]: Close your eyes. . . . Now put your hands in the box.
[Lou]: Ow! Mannaggia u suricillo, mma scasciato ‘a mano! A mouse trap!
(scasciato = shattered, smashed)
[Pepino sings]: O sole mio . . .
[Lou]: Eh, malandrino! (rogue, rascal)
[Pepino sings]: Oe Marì . . .
I have seen several translations, but here is my rough version of the Italian verses.
There is a small mouse in the cellar, behind the wall.
Every evening he comes out when the house is dark.
In the middle of the kitchen he dances all alone.
He seems like a rascal. Even the cat is afraid.
Refrain:
Pepino the mouse got me all confused.
That darned little mouse has to go from this house.
Tonight I’m going to leave a little wine in the kitchen.
And when he’s drunk I’m going to catch Pepino.
He doesn’t like American cheese,
He goes looking for a little Parmesan.
He’s gotten chubby chubby with the good life.
And when he walks he looks like a proper gentleman.
(Words and music by Ray Allen and Wandra Merrell © 1962 Wanessa Music Productions Co. This is the only known still-copyrighted song in this compilation. I included it because (a) it was a hit when I was growing up and (b) just recently a small mouse invaded our apartment and was stealing the peanut butter right off the mousetraps, which reminded me of Pepino. Anyway, please purchase the tune, on Lou’s CDs or on iTunes, etc. Grade: C.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Piscatore ‘e Pusilleco
Ernesto Murolo (poet)/Ernesto Tagliaferri, 1925
Piscatore ‘e stu mare ‘e Pusilleco
Ch ‘ ogne notte mme siente ‘e canta
Piscato, sti pparole so’ lacreme
Pe’ Maria ca luntana mme sta
Refrain:
Dorme ‘o mare . . . voca, voca
Tutt’ e pace attuorno a me
Ma pecche
Ma pecche mm’ he lassato
Mentr’ io moro, stannote, pe’ te?
Cassarella d’ ‘o Capo ‘e Pusilleco
Sponta ‘a luna e te vene a vasa
Quanta notte aggio perzo guardanotte
Quanta juorne aggio visto schiara
(Refrain)
Zitto oje core, ca ‘nterra Pusilleco,
veco n’ ombra ca segno mme fa
Na manella e na voce mme chiamano:
fra sti bracce Maria vo’ turna
Dorme ‘ mare . . . oje bella viene
‘ncielo ‘a luna saglie e va.
Vita mia, vita mia mme vuo’ bene
Ca si è suonno nun farme sceta.
Dorme ‘o mare . . . voca vo’
Rough translation:
Fisherman of the sea of Posillipo
Who hears me singing each night
Fisherman, these words are tears
For Maria, who is far from me.
Refrain:
The sea sleeps . . .. row, row
All is peaceful around me
But why,
But why did you leave me
While I’m dying for you tonight?
Little house on the Cape of Posillipo
The moon rises and comes to kiss you
How many nights I’ve lost looking at you
How many days I’ve seen the light of dawn
(Refrain)
Be still my heart, for in Posillipo
I see a shadow signaling to me
A hand and a voice calling me:
Maria wants to return to these arms
The sea is sleeping . . . come, my beauty.
In the sky the moon rises and sets.
Love of my life! Love of my life, do you love me?
If I am dreaming, don’t wake me.
The sea is sleeping . . Row, row . . .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Santa Lucia
Sul mare luccica, l’astro argento
Placida è l’onda, prospero è il vento
(repeat)
Venite all’agile, barchetta mia
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
(repeat)
(Same pattern below)
Con questo zeffiro, così soave,
Oh, com’è bello star su la nave
Su passaggieri, venite via
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
O dolce napoli, O suol beato
Ove sorridere volle il creato
Tu sei l’impero
Del armonia
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
Or che tardate? Bella è la sera,
Spira un’ auretta fresca e leggera.
Venite all’agile, barchetta mia
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
Rough Translation:
A silver star shines over the sea.
The wave is placid, the wind is favorable.
(repeat)
Come nimbly onto my boat.
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
(repeat)
(Same pattern below)
With this zephyr, so gentle
Oh, how beautiful to be on the boat.
Passengers, come aboard.
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
Oh sweet Naples, oh blessed soil
Where a smile willed its creation.
You are the empire
Of harmony.
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
Is the hour growing late? The evening is beautiful,
A gentle breeze blows, fresh and light.
Come onto my nimble little boat.
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Santa Lucia Luntana
Partono ‘e bastimente
P’ ‘e terre assaje luntane
Cantano a buordo e so napulitane
Cantano pe’ tramente
‘o golfo già scompare
e ‘a luna ‘a miez’ ‘o mare
‘nu poco ‘e Napule
lle fa vede’
Refrain:
Santa Lucia, luntana ‘a te
Quanta malincunia
Se gira ‘o munno sano,
se va a cercà furtuna
ma quanno sponta ‘a luna
luntana a Napule nun se po’ sta.
Santa Lucia ti tiene
Solo ‘nu poco ‘e mare
Ma cchiù luntana staie
Cchiù bella pare
‘o canto d’ ‘e Ssirene
ca tesse ancora ‘e rezze
core, nun vò ricchezze
sià nato a Napule
ce vò murì
Refrain
Rough translation:
The ship is leaving
For a land very far away
The Neapolitans on board are singing
They sing at sunset
The bay already has faded away
And the moon amid the sea
Lets them see
A glimpse of Naples
Refrain:
Santa Lucia, far from you
Such melancholy
You may go around the world
You may go to seek your fortune
But when the moon rises
You cannot stay far from Naples
Santa Lucia, you have
Only a small sea
But the farther away I am
The more beautiful it seems
The song of the sirens
Still weaves its net
My heart doesn’t want riches
Born in Naples,
It wants to die there.
(Refrain)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Scura Maie
A song from Abruzzo, as sung by a male singer on the album Folklore Musicale Italiano, Vol. 1, compiled by Alan Lomax and Diego Carpitella.
Scura màie scura màie
Tu so morte e chinda faccie
Mo’ me straccie treccie ‘n faccie
Mo’ mi iette ‘n cuozze a taglie
Scura màie scura màie
M’ài lasciate ‘na famiglia
Scaize niude appititause
Chind’appena ci riveglia (or, si risveglia)
Vuole ‘l pane e ni ll’aie
Scura màie scura màie
La teneva na casarelle
Mo’ nun tiengi chiù riciette
??Sola sola an tonta màie??
Scura màie scura màie (The singer sings only 4 lines to this verse)
Alternate/additonal verses (from http://www.wikitesti.com):
Quando a casa i riette
Ci truvette ddui usciere
E ci andenne lu prucesse
Me sequestrette la roba màie
Scura màie scura màie
La teneva na casarelle
Mo’ no tiengi chiù riciette
Senza pane e senza liette
La cacciuna semp’abbaie
Scura màie scura màie
Rough translation:
My darkness. My darkness.
You are dead, and what should I do?
I tear at my hair and face
I throw myself and cut myself
My darkness. My darkness.
You have left me a family
Barefoot, naked, hungry
Which, barely awake,
Wants bread, but there is none.
My darkness. My darkness.
I had a little house
But I no longer have shelter.
????????
My darkness. My darkness.
Alternate/additional verses:
As soon as I returned home
I encountered two bailiffs.
And they went through the legal process.
My belongings were confiscated.
My darkness. My darkness.
I had a little house
But I no longer have shelter.
Without bread and without bed.
The hound is always baying.
My darkness. My darkness.
Here are other verses and translations from the book Through the Apennines and the Lands of the Abruzzi by Estella Canziani (W. Heffer & Sons, London, 1928, pages 256-258).
Scura maie, scura maie,
Tu suo muorte, e chinda facce?
Mo me stracce trece e facce
Buo mi iette sopra a taie,
Scura maie, scura maie!
Oh poor me, poor me
Thou art dead, and what shall I do?
Now I tear my plaits and face,
Then I throw myself on thee,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Chinda pecura smarrita,
Ma lassota sciplinata,
Zu muntaune ma lassate
Enghi sola, andonda vai?
Scura maie, scura maie!
As a lost sheep,
Thou hast left me bereaved,
My husband has left me,
And alone, where shall I go?
Oh poor me, poor me!
Ma lassota na fameia,
Scanze, neuda, appitetausa,
Chindappena ci riveia
Vole le pane, e ghi ni laie,
Scura maie, scura maie!
He has left me a family,
Barefoot, naked, hungry,
Which barely awake
Wants bread, and I have none,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Ieradotte pruoprii a stauza,
Propria a stauza, propria a stauza
me ne iette pe cicore,
E ghi ntante la cuiaiva,
Scura maie, scura maie!
Yesterday eight days ago,
Exactly at this hour, exactly at this hour,
I went (to fetch) chicory,
And meanwhile I gathered it,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Menguntriette ghe na sciattata
Che mi diette appiette de morte,
Cezzicchietti na cantuneta,
Netanzegna, l’accidaiva
Scura maie, scura maie!
I have met a bad woman
Who gave me insults,
I threw a stone at her,
A little more would have killed her,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Appena a casa ietti
I la corte a fa nu sciepe,
E da puo in inurnapprissi
Cu faccia eviettavai!
Scura maie, scura maie!
As soon as I went home
The judge (the court) made a seizure,
And the next day
What a face I had to make!
Oh poor me, poor me!
Venne zu sciere ghinda un boi
Quante venne zu fribbore,
E peghietti chi gmorocchili amari
Se cherreine e ne trai,
Scura maie, scura maie!
Came the bailiff as a villain
When he came with the order,
And I gave with bitter eyes
Six carlini and other three,
Oh poor me, poor me!
La furteuna mi turmenta.
Pi i debiti e l’useura.
Me levrerne zu chetteure,
La frissaura e la tenaja,
Scura maie, scura maie!
Misfortune torments me.
For the debts and the interest on them,
They seized the saucepan,
The frying pan and the tongs,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Sci mallitti, sci mallitti,
Quanta bene t’hai fatte
Pi lu sanghe de na gatta.
Maia fo proprio na straia.
Scura maie, scura maie!
Be accursed, be accursed,
What good hast thou got
By the blood of a she-cat.
I must truly be a witch.
Oh poor me, poor me!
E di notte a la caventa
A la porta aia andra,
E di sanghe na viventa
Me feccerie pi la raia,
Scura maie, scura maie!
And by night to the hole
To the door I will go,
And of blood a drink
I will make of my rage,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Steva grassa chinda norca,
Maie fatta secca secca.
Nce nu cane che mi lecca,
La cocceuna sempre abbaia.
Scura maie, scura maie!
I was fat as a pig,
I have become dry bones.
Even a dog does not lick me,
The she-dog always barks.
Oh poor me, poor me!
Ieri ietti a zu cumpare
A cierca la carità.
Mi piette chi la staia,
Scura maie, scura maie!
Yesterday I went to a friend
To beg for charity.
He gave me a blow,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Prima tenaiva na cassarella,
Mo ne tinghe chiù riciette,
Senza fuoche, e senza liette,
Senza pane e cumpanai,
Scura maie, scura maie!
I had first a little hut,
At present I have no shelter,
Without fire, without bed,
Without bread, without companions,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Ciele! Ciele! A famme nascie!
Pe maroite nu strappaune,
E nannai zu muntauno,
La cacceuna sempre baia,
Scura maie, scura maie!
Oh heaven! Heaven! To have been born!
For a husband a pauper,
And the husband I have no more,
The she-dog always barks,
Oh poor me, poor me!
Uh! Madonna! Quai fatte?
A stu munne i pruella,
Ai rimasa viduella.
Mi murraia, mi murraia,
Scura maie, scura maie!
Oh Madonna! What have I done to thee?
In this world a poor creature,
I remain a little widow.
I shall die, I shall die,
Oh poor me, poor me!
(“My Darkness”. The title is translated as “Left in the Dark” in the book Italy, Your Passport to a New World of Music by Lou Manzi (Alfred Music Publishing). The Australian singer Kavisha Mazzella translates it as “Poor me! My heart is black!” and sings it on her album Riturnella. The song is a wife’s lament, grieving for the loss of her husband and for the poverty of the family left behind. Geographically Abruzzo is in central Italy, near Rome, but officially and linguisically it is considered to be southern Italy, so that is where I put this song. Grade: A.)
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Tarantella del Gargano
In the dialect of Foggia, in Apulia:
‘Sta donni
Comma dee fari pi ama’ ‘sta donnì
Di rose dee fare
Di rose dee fa’
Di rose dee fare ‘nu bellu ciardini (some pronounce this as “shardini”)
‘Nu bellu ciardini
Di rose dee fa’ ‘nu bellu ciardini
‘Ntorni d’intorni lei
‘Ntorni d’intorni lei
‘Ntorni d’intorni lei annamurari
(Di) lei annamurari
‘Ntorni d’intorni lei annamurari
Di prete preziosi e ori fini
Mezzo ce la cava ‘na
Mezzo ce la cava ‘na
Mezzo ce la cava ‘na brava funtani
‘Na brava funtani
Mezzo ce la cava ‘na brava funtani
E ja ja fa corre l’acqua
E ja ja fa corre l’a’
E ja ja fa l’acqua sorgentivi
(Di) l’acqua sorgentivi
E ja ja fa corre l’acqua sorgentivi
‘Ncoppa ce lu mette ‘na
‘Ncoppa ce lu mette ‘na
‘Ncoppa ce lu mette ‘n’auciello a cantari (sometimes pronounced as “augiello”)
N’auciello a cantari
‘Ncoppa ce lu mette n’auciello a cantari
E cantava e repusava
Cantava e repusava
Cantava e repusava bella diceva (sometimes sounds like “dicevi”)
(E tu) bella diceva
E cantava e repusava bella diceva
E io poi so addivintato
Io poi so addivinta’
Io poi so addivintato n’auciello
Pè farimi ‘nu suonno accanto a voi bella madonna
Me l’ha fatta annammurà la cammenatura e lu parlà
Si bella nun ci jve annammurà nun me facive
Me l’ha fatta annammurà la cammenatura e lu parlà
Me l’ha fatta annammurà la cammenatura e lu parlà
Ah! Pinciuè
‘Sta ncagnata che vuò da me
Mammeta lu ssape e tò vò dice pure a te
Ah, mammetta lu ssape e tò vò dice pure a te
Ah! Pinciuè ‘sta ncagnata che vuò da me
Ah! Pinciuè ‘sta ncagnata che vuò da me
Mammeta lu ssape e tò vò dice pure a te
Mammeta lu ssape e tò vò dice pure a te
Ah! Pinciuè ‘sta ncagnata che vuò da me
Rough translation:
This woman!
What should I do to love this woman?
I should make her a beautiful garden of roses.
A beautiful garden with roses all around,
To make her fall in love.
To make her fall in love,
A garden all around her
And in the middle I’ll put a splendid fountain
Of precious stones and fine gold.
A splendid fountain
Placed in the middle of the garden.
And there spring water will flow.
I’ll have water from a spring
Flow there.
And on it I’ll place a song bird.
A singing bird.
On it I’ll place a song bird.
It sang and rested, and said, “You are beautiful.”
“Beautiful” it said.
It sang and rested and said that you are beautiful.
And then I became a bird
So that I could sleep next to you, beautiful lady.
You have made me fall in love with the way you walk and talk.
If you weren’t so beautiful you wouldn’t have made me fall in love.
I’ve fallen in love with the way you walk and talk.
Ah, Pinciuè!
What does this angry woman want from me?
You mother knows that I love you, and I want to tell you, too.
There is a completely different version found on https:genius.com
‘Na donni, a la spuntà lu sole aje visto ‘na donni
Putenzia delli dii, putenzia delli dii,
Putenzia delli dii quann’era granni . . .
Quann’era granni putenzia delli dii quann’era granni
Et l’aveva capelli ricci et faccia tonni
Janca come la neve, janca come la neve
Janca come la neve a la muntagna
Come la neve a la muntagna
Janca come la neve a la muntagna
Dio facitela avè ‘sta giovanni bella
Tinè me vularria alli soi cumandi belli
Vojè belli a servi li munacelli
E si monaca te fai, isso eremita si farrà . . .
E si monaca te fai, isso eremita si farrà
E tu diciarraje la messa et isso sirvirà
Vojè belli cchiù lucenti so’ li stelle
‘E quante n’aje amate tu mi pari la cchiù bella . . .
Very rough translation:
A woman. At sunrise I saw a woman.
(?Rising at dawn, when it was great?)
(?Rising at dawn, when it was great?)
And she had curly hair and a (?beautiful?) face
Pale like the snow on the mountain.
Pale like the snow on the mountain.
God made her like that, this young beauty.
(?She made me want to go there at her beautiful bidding?)
I wanted to serve well the little nun.
And if you become a nun, I’ll become a hermit.
And if you become a nun, I’ll become a hermit.
You will announce the mass and I will serve at it.
I love that you are more glowing than the stars,
And I love you so much that to me you are most beautiful.
(“Tarantella of Gargano”, which is a region in the province of Foggia, Apulia. This is said to be the only tarantella in 4:4 time. It goes back at least to the 17th century. In my opinion it is the most beautiful tarantella, so Grade: A.)
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Torna a Surriento
Vide ‘o mare quant’è bello!
Spira tantu sentimento.
Comme tu a chi tiene mente
Ca scetato ‘o faje sunnà.
Guarda, gua’ chistu ciardino,
siente, sie’ sti sciure arance.
Nu profumo accussi fino
Dinto ‘o core se ne va . . .
Refrain:
E tu dice “I’ parto, addio!”
Tan’ luntana da stu core . . .
Da la terra da l’ammore
Tiene ‘o core ‘e nun turnà
Ma nun me lassà
Nun darme stu turmiento!
Torna a Surriento
Famme campa’!
Vide ‘o mare de Surriento
Che tesoro tene ‘nfunno.
Chi ha girato tutto ‘o munno
Nun l’ha visto comm’a ccà.
Guarda attuorno sti ssirene
Ca te guardano ‘ncantate
E te vonno tantu bene . . .
Te vulessero vasa’
Refrain:
Rough translation:
Look how beautiful the sea is!
It inspires so many feelings,
Such that you, with a mind
That is awake, fall to dreaming.
Look, look around this garden,
Smell these orange blossoms
A fragrance so fine
That it enters into your heart.
Refrain:
And you say, “I’m going. Goodbye!”
So far from this heart,
From the land of love,
You have a mind to not return.
But don’t leave me
Don’t give me this torment
Return to Sorrento
And let me live!
Second verse:
Look at the sea of Sorrento
What treasures are in its depths
He who has traveled all around the world
Has never seen anything like this.
Look around at these sirens
Who look at you enchantingly
And they love you very much
They would like to kiss you
(Refrain)
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Tu Ca Nun Chiagne
Comm’ è bella ‘a muntagna stanotte
Bella accussi nun l’aggio vista maie
N’ anema pare rassegnata e stanca
Solt’ ‘a cuperta ‘e chesta luna janca.
Refrain:
Tu, ca nun chiagne,
e chiagnere me faie
Tu, stanotte addì staie?
Voglio a te
Voglio a te
Quest’ uocchie te vonno
N’ atra vota vedè
Comm è calma ‘a muntagna stanotte
Cchiù calma ‘e mè nun l’ aggio vista maie
E tutto dorme, e tutto dorme o more
E i sulo veglio
Pecchè veglia Ammore
Refrain
Rough translation:
How beautiful the mountain is tonight
I’ve never seen it look as beautiful as this
It seems like a soul that is resigned and tired
Its only cover is this pale moon
Refrain:
You, who do not cry
And make me cry,
Where are you tonight?
I need you
I need you
These eyes want
To see you once more.
How calm the mountain is tonight
I have never seen it more calm
And everything sleeps, sleeps or is dead
And only I stay awake,
Because Love is awake.
(Refrain)
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Desserts
Crostoli
We enjoyed crostoli (crustoli) made by both my grandmothers, by great aunt Mary Zanotti Diani and by my Aunt Tosca Disoteo, among others. Each of their versions was slightly different since each of them had their own secrets. The reigning crostoli maker these days is Jeanne Bertolotti.
Here is a generic recipe.
Ingredients:
4-plus cups of flour
3.5 tbs. butter, softened and cut into small pieces
¼ cup sugar
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
¼ cup milk
½ tsp. salt
3 tbs. grappa (or another liquor or liqueur)
3 tbs. lemon juice (and some lemon zest if you want)
Vegetable or canola oil for frying
Confectioner’s sugar, for dusting (plenty of it)
Directions:
Sift the flour and mix it in a bowl with the salt and the (regular) sugar. Knead it a bit. Add the butter and knead it a bit more. Add the egg, egg yolk, grappa and lemon juice (and zest, if using) and knead it some more, into a ball. Then let the ball of dough rest a bit; maybe an hour in the refrigerator. Cut off a manageable piece from the ball and roll the piece out on a floured surface into a roughly rectangular shape, just about as thin as you can (so that you can almost see through it). Then cut it into strips, about 1 inch by six inches. Usually this is done with a pasta cutter or other tool, so that the edges are ridged. Do this with the rest of the ball of dough.
Heat the oil in a large pan. It should be hot – about 300 degrees. (Use a thermometer.)
Place some of the strips in the oil. Bubbles should form in the “pastry”. Fry one side until golden brown and then do the other side. Remove the strips from the pan and drain on paper towels. When they are cool, dust with confectioner’s sugar.
The crostoli will keep for several days.
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Granita
Puree watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew (or a combination, if you like) in a blender, food processor, etc.
Pour into a shallow baking pan. Freeze about 1-2 hours, stirring every 20-30 minutes, or more often if it is starting to freeze solid, to make it “fluffy”. Scoop into bowls or martini glasses and serve.
If you think just the fruit will not be sweet enough (taste the fruit first) you can add some sugar. Better to melt the sugar in a bit of hot water, let it cool a bit, and stir that in when putting the melon in the baking pan.
At that stage, if you want you can add some fresh lemon or lime juice and/or a few tablespoons of liquor or liqueur.
Keep in mind that I usually make it with just the melon, and it is sweet enough for me.
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Quel Mazzolin di Canti 