Bellissimo Cosi… May 2, 2012

Another great song by Laura Pausini!  Her passion is incredible…

Bellissimo Cosi

Ricomincio da qui

  e battezzo i miei danni

  con la fede in me

  senza illudermi  

ma con un principio da difendere

 punto a pieno su noi  

è bellissimo così  

meglio tardi che mai  

ascoltami  

posso essere io  

l’occasione che aspetti da una vita  

il mio  

sarò di più  

io sarò la certezza che chiedevi tu  

è innegabile  

che da quando tu mi vuoi  

punto tutto su noi  

sorprendimi.  

 lascia il tuo passato com’è

 e porta il meglio da me  

nel tuo presente  

spezza le parole di chi non t’ama e ti dice si  

non è sufficiente  

e lasciati guardare un po di più  

come un bagliore  

splendi di rivoluzione tu  

bellissimo così 

vieni a me come sei  

fallo immediatamente non voltarti mai  

l’essenziale l’hai tu  

lo nascondi ai miei occhi  

ma vale di più  

sei perfetto così

 coi tuoi denti lucidi  

punto a capo da qui

 ascoltami  

 lascia il tuo passato com’è  

lo porterai insieme a me  

nel tuo presente  

mezza vita è molto per chi

 ti vuole e ti dice si

 e lo fa per sempre  

lasciati ammirare un po di più  

senza pudore  

provochi la mia reazione tu

 bellissimo così  

sono trasparente lo sai

 io quando parlo di noi  

quasi indecente  

canto sottovoce ma c’è  

un suono dentro di me  

così prepotente

 e lasciati guardare un po di più  

come un bagliore  

splendi di rivoluzione tu

 bellissimo così  

bellissimo così  

***************************************

Beautiful Like This

I will start from her

And baptize my faults

With the faith that is within me

Without deluding myself

But with the beginnings of defending

me and you.

It’s beautiful like this

Better late than never

Listen to me

I could be

the occasion that you’ve been waiting a lifetime

For me

It’s more

I will be the certainty that you’ve been asking for

it’s undeniable

that since you’ve wanted me

I put everything on us

Surprise me.

Leave your past where it is

And bring the best of me

Into your present

Cut the words of those that don’t love you and tell you yes

It’s not enough

And let yourself be looked at a bit more

Like a glow

You’re a beautiful revolution

Beautiful like this.

Come to me as you are

Do it immediately, and don’t ever turn away

You have the essential

and you hide it from my eyes

But it’s worth more

You’re perfect like this

With your bright teeth

From the beginning to the end

Listen to me.

Leave your past how it is

You’ll bring it together with me

Into your present

Half of your life and alot for who

want you and tell you yes

and will do it forever

Let yourself be admired a little bit more

Without modesty

Provoke my reaction to you

Beautiful like this.

I am transparent, you know

when I speak of you.

Almost indecent

I sing softly

A sound inside me

So strong

And let yourself be looked at some more

Like a glow

You’re a beautiful revolution

Beautiful like this.

Beautiful like this.

Viva L’Italia! April 25, 2012

The war years in Italy were difficult – innocent people were killed by the Germans because they were believed to be helping the Partisans (see my post about this at  An Italian Tragedy), people were hungry and not sure if they would get food, and idlyllic and peaceful places full of history, art, and beauty were being destroyed.  Once the Americans came in and the Partisans triumphed, Italy began to breathe a sigh of relief.  La Festa della Liberazione, a National holiday in Italy marking the end of World War II and the fall of the Fascist government, is celebrated today, April 25th, with parades and other festivities all over Italy.  Rebuilding Italy after the War would turn out to be a significant and difficult task, but the Italians worked hard and persevered.  Even though it is not immune to the problems plaguing the rest of the world, Italy has come a long way from those horrible days during and after World War II to become the Italy that so captivates and enchants those that visit her.

Below is a song written by Partisan sympathizers and sung during the War by the Resistance.   It was sung in the underground and only became popular to the public after the War when it was introduced by some Italian student singers at Berlin’s Youth Festival in 1948.  I have to make note, here, that I am purely sharing this song as part of Italy’s history and I’m not making ANY political statement here!!!  With that said, here it is:

BELLA CIAO

Una mattina mi son svegliato O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao Una mattina mi son svegliato Eo ho trovato l’invasor

O partigiano porta mi via O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao O partigiano porta mi via Che mi sento di morir

E se io muoio da partigiano O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao E se io muoio da partigiano Tu mi devi seppellir

Mi seppellire lassù in montagna O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao Mi seppellire lassù in montagna Sotto l’ombra di un bel fiore

E le genti che passeranno O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao E le genti che passeranno Mi diranno: “Che bel fior”

È questo il fiore del partigiano O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao È questo il fiore del partigiano Morto per la libertà

**********************

One morning I woke up O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao One morning I woke up And I found the invader

Oh partisan, carry me away, O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao Oh partisan, carry me away, For I feel I’m dying

And if I die as a partisan O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao And if I die as a partisan You have to bury me

But bury me up in the mountain O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao, But bury me up in the mountain Under the shadow of a beautiful flower

And the people who will pass by O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao, And the people who will pass by Will say to me: “what a beautiful flower”

This is the flower of the partisan O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao This is the flower of the partisan Who died for freedom

***************************************

Here is a song that was sung by the Alpini – a branch of the military that patrols the mountains all around Italy.  It captures the sentiments felt during the War by those Alpini soldiers and their love of the mountains of Italy.  It is in a sort of dialect, and therefore I will try to translate it as best I can!

IL TESTAMENTO DEL CAPITANO

 El capitan de la compagnia l’è ferito stà per morir el manda a dire ai suoi Alpini perchè lo vengano a ritrovar. el manda a dire ai suoi Alpini perchè lo vengano a ritrovar.

I suoi Alpini ghè manda a dire che non han scarpe per camminar O con le scarpe o senza scarpe i miei Alpini li voglio qua. O con le scarpe o senza scarpe i miei Alpini li voglio qua.

Cosa comanda, siòr capitano, che noi adesso semo arrivà? E io comando che il mio corpo in cinque pezzi sia taglià. E io comando che il mio corpo in cinque pezzi sia taglià.

Il primo pezzo alla mia Patria secondo pezzo al Battaglion il terzo pezzo alla mia Mamma che si ricordi del suo figliol. il terzo pezzo alla mia Mamma che si ricordi del suo figliol.

Il quarto pezzo alla mia bella che si ricordi del suo primo amor. L’ultimo pezzo alle montagne che lo fioriscano di rose e fior L’ultimo pezzo alle montagne che lo fioriscano di rose e fior.

*******************

The Captain’s Testament

The captain of the company is wounded and is dying.  He sends a message to his Alpini soldiers for them to come and visit him.

His Alpini soldiers tell him that they don’t have shoes to walk.  He says that with our without shoes, he wants them there.

What do you command, Captain sir, now that we have arrived?  I command that you cut my body up into 5 pieces.

The first piece to my Country, the second piece to my battalion, the third piece to my mother so that she may remember her son.

The fourth piece to by girlfriend so that she can remember her first love.  And the fifth piece to the mountains so that it can be covered in roses.

Tis the Night…. January 5, 2012

Tonight’s the night….are your stockings hung?  All over Italy, children are awaiting the loot they will find when The Befana comes to visit.  And all women are getting ready for their day….or are they?  There’s always the question if being wished “Auguri” tomorrow is a good thing or not, since La Befana is an ugly old witch….and does it mean that whoever is wishing us cheer is thinking we are like La Befana?  Quite a dilemma, huh?  The story of La Befana is a cute one, and you can read about it on my post from last year here:  La Befana by Tesoro Treasures.

But today, I wanted to share a fun little song from 1978, sung by the great Gianni Morandi, about La Befana.

Enjoy!

Trullalla, Trullalla!

The Befana comes at night

With shoes all broken

With a sock

Around her neck

With carbon, with iron, with brass.

On her broom

To fly

She comes from the sea, She comes from the sea.

And the snow shall fall

On the deserts of Maharaja

From Alaska to Canada.

She’ll need to leave

And she’ll sing while she leaves.

She’ll dress like a woman from the South

And with the sock she’ll arrive.

The storm will win,

And she’ll sing “Trullalla”

The Befana will arrive…

Trullalla…Trullalla!

A child,

The size of a little mouse,

Inserted himself in the chimney

To see her closeup.

When she arrives,

The Befana,

Without teeth,

Jumps and dances for some wime.

Then, hiding, she backs away

With the night stuck to her skirt.

And a warm wind will blow

on the deserts of the Maharaja

From Alaska to Canada.

Only one star will shine,

and she’ll have to follow it

to fly towards the North..

and the road is long, but

the storm will win.

And singing Trullalla

The Befana will go.

Buon Natale!! December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas to all my dear readers.   May the joy and laughter of Christmas fill your hearts and your lives during this Holiday season…and throughout the New Year.  I can never have enough words to express my gratitude to each one of you for your support and encouragement.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!  Mille grazie a voi tutti!!!

I want to share a beautiful Christmas song, sung by the talented Roberta Bonanno…A Natale Puoi…

Un Cuore Con Le Ali…and Some Deep Reflections June 14, 2011

This beautiful song by Eros Ramazzotti evokes various responses in me whenever I hear it.  The music, as always, is mesmerizing and artistically pleasing to the ear, but it’s the lyrics of this song that trigger my inner reflections.  I am instantly transported to Italy with  ci si trova in compagnia, sotto i portici del centro, alle uscite del metrò (We find each other, under the porticos of the city center, at the exits of the metro)…the old porticos of the ancient cities with the modern metro…it is so descriptive that I can easily picture myself in that same scene.

This song has a deeper message, though….it is a social commentary on Eros’ view of Italy’s youth culture back in 1985 (when the song was released).  He seems to be saying that the youth felt bored and trapped – they wanted to do so much and had desires to fly, but they weren’t capable of achieving those goals.  I’d be curious to understand why and what was holding them back…was it a stab at the government or the state of the Italian economy?  And would this song be pertinent in today’s world?  Perhaps someone from Italy can clue me in…but the song has a sad and desperate tone about it.  What do you think?

quando il cielo si fa scuro
e la notte cade giù
come intonaco dai muri
ci si trova in compagnia
sotto i portici del centro
alle uscite del metrò
per guardarci dentro
e parlare un pò…

ci hanno detto a muso duro
che per camminare soli
noi non siamo ancor maturi
e che siamo tutti uguali
ma un cuore con le ali
ce l’abbiamo solo noi
e nessuno sa
che presto volerà…

cosa si fa
cosa si fa questa sera
dove si va
dove si va fuori un’idea
prima che ci soffochi la noia…
cosa si fa, dove si va
questa sera…

per adesso si comincia
a girare la città
fino in fondo alla provincia
per i viali e per le piazze
a chiamare le ragazze
che ci aspettano di già
per vedere fuori
l’alba a colori…

che nessuno ha preparato
come il mondo che ci han dato
senza domandarci niente
è per questo che i pensieri
così grandi, così seri
ce li abbiamo anche noi
e nessuno sa
che fatica è…

fuori di te
fuori di te, fuori di testa
che gente è
che vita è e quanto ne resta
quella che vogliamo
non è questa
la carità, finta pietà
nessuno l’ha chiesta…

**********************************************************************************************************************************************

When the sky gets dark

And the night falls down

like plaster from the walls,

we find each other

under the porticos of the center

at the exits of the metro

to look within

and talk a bit…

They told us, with a stern face,

that to walk alone

we are not yet ready

and that we are all the same;

but a heart with wings

we are the only ones to have it

and nobody knows

that soon it will fly…

What are we going to do?

What are we going to do tonight?

Where are we going to go?

Where are we going to go…let’s have some ideas

before we suffocate from boredom…

What are we going to do, where are we going to go

tonight…

for now, we’ll start

by wandering the city

until the end of the province,

through the alleys and in the piazzas,

calling the girls

that have been waiting for us for a while now

to see outside the dawn and the colors…

Nobody prepared

the world that was given to us

Nobody asked us anything

and for this reason, the worries

so big, so serious

we have them, too

and no one knows

what hardship it is…

Outside of yourself,

Outside of yourself, out of your mind

What kind of people are there,

What kind of life is it and what remains

The life we want

Is not this one.

The charity, the false pity

No one asked for it….

Cose Della Vita February 6, 2011

Eros Ramazzotti has teamed up with the phenomenal and dynamic Tina Turner for this sensational video and song!  Their two voices, both a little rough around the edges, blend so well and complement each other to make this one of my favorite songs.  The scenery in the video is so beautiful – driving along those incredibly scenic roads and meeting in one of those truly Italian of piazzas has me daydreaming of my own time nel Bel Paese!  And best of all….Tina has translated a lot of it for us

Cose Della Vita

Sono umana situazioni                          These are human situations
quei momenti fra di noi                        These moments between us
i distacchi e i ritorni                               The detachments and returns
da capirci niente poi                               Just to understand nothing
gia…come vedi                                         As you can see….
sto pensando a te….si…da un po’      I’ve been thinking of you, for awhile.

They’re just human contradictions
feeling happy, feeling sad
these emotional transitions
all the memories we’ve had
yes, you know it is true
I just can’t stop thinking of you

No, I just can’t pretend
all the time that we spent could die
wanna feel it again
all the love we felt then

Confinanti di cuore solo che ognuno sta       Hearts that are close but stand
dietro gli steccati degli orgogli suoi                behind the fences of their pride
sto pensando a te                                                    I am thinking of you
sto pensando a noi…                                             I am thinking of us…

Sono cose della vita                                              These are things of life
vanno prese un po’cosi                                        That are taken a bit like this.

Some for worse and some for better
but through it all we’ve come so far

Gia’… come vedi                                                    As you see
io sto ancora in piedi                                          I am still standing

Perche                                                                      Because they are human
sono umani tutti i sogni miei                         these dreams of mine
con le mani io li prenderei, si perche         I would take them with my hands                                                               

What is life without a dream to hold?
take my hand and never let me go

It’s part of life together
but what future does it hold?

Sono cosa della vita                                     These are things of life
ma la vita poi dov’e                                     But then where is life?

Yes, you know it is true
I just can’t stop thinking of you

Questa notte che pasa piano accanto a me    This night that passes with you
cerco di affrontarla, afferrarla                           I will try to confront, grasp it

If our hearts miss a beat
or get lost like a ship at sea
I want to remember, I can never forget

Can’t stop thinking of you,
Sto pensando a noi
Can’t stop thinking of you

Rubygate…Bunga Bunga January 21, 2011

]

“I Love Life and Beautiful Women”

Rubygate…Berlusconi’s alleged relationship with a Moroccan teen and it’s “coverup”…has resurfaced once again.  This time the authorities want to  look at his office’s records and ascertain whether he did, indeed, pay for sex with Ruby and other prostitutes which frequently attend his “parties”!  Of course, he and Ruby both deny that they had anything but a friendly relationship – even though he did give her 7000 Euros just because he wanted to help her out.  What a nice guy…..hmm…..

The women of Italy have had quite enough with Signor Berlusconi’s obvious ignorance when it comes to his views on what women really are!  He hasn’t learned that the modern woman is independent, intelligent…and doesn’t live just to please her MAN!  Therefore, they have banned together to sign an online petition which states that not all Italian women are prostitutes or showgirls.  This campaign is called ”BASTA!” or “Enough”, and it is aimed at re-instructing the males of Italy on how to treat and look at woment!  Chissa (we’ll see) if it will work!

Rubygate, as you can imagine, has also sparked a host of jokes and parodies by comedians all over the world. It has recently even become the inspiration for a movie starring Italy’s “Italian Stallion”, porn star Rocco Siffredi.  The movie is titled “Bunga Bunga Presidente” and it is loosely based on the parties held by the Premier in his villa outside of Milan.  The film’s producers state that any similarity is stricly accidental, but there are too many similarities which make us doubt the coincidences.  The plot revolves around a womanizing politician who intervenes to save a “damsel in distress” after she is arrested by police.  The girl appears in the movie sitting on a bed draped with the Italian flag!  Now, how many more clues do we need?  Really! 

The clip from the movie is pretty tame, but just in case…you have been warned!!!

And, the best of all, is this catchy tune about the Bunga Bunga Presidente!!!

My, oh my, Silvio never ceases to give the world a little comedy!!  But for a political figure, this may not be such a good thing…hmmm?

Italy Book Challenge 2011 January 6, 2011

I LOVE reading books set in Italy.  I especially enjoy historical fiction, and the Renaissance is one of my favorite periods.  But, really, all stories set in my beautiful country are attractive to me.  Even though most of the books I read are fiction, their factual accounts of places and events in Italy teach me so much about Italy’s history, culture, people, and places.  It makes me relive those places to which I’ve been, and to dream about the others yet to be discovered.  That’s why when I heard about Book after Book’s Italy Book Challenge 2011, I knew I had to participate.  First of all, I think it’s a great resource to discover new titles to read.  Secondly, it’s fun to read reviews by others who also enjoy reading books about Italy!

The “challenge” runs the entire year, and the goal is to read one novel about Italy every month, and then to review it.  There is the possibility of winning a prize, too!  If you are interested in joining the challenge, you can join Book after Book’s Italy Book Challenge 2011.

Can’t wait to read my first new book about Italy….stay tuned!

Dominick the Donkey December 20, 2010

I was introduced to this silly Chrismas song only this year, when our XM radio station has been playing it during the Holidays!  And because it’s about an ITALIAN Christmas donkey, it peaked my interest   Dominick the Donkey is Santa’s adorable little helper who helps Santa climb the steep hills of Italy to deliver the gifts to all the little boys and girls!  It was originally sung by Lou Monte in the 1950′s and although it was not a big hit in Italy, it became popular amongst Italian-Americans mostly on the East Coast.  Today,  Dominick has a huge fan base, including his own Facebook page.

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.
Cummare’s and cumpare’s do the dance ‘a
tarantella’,when Santa Nicola comes to town,
and brings ‘o ciucciarell

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! Dominick! Buon Natale!
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)
(hee-haw, hee-haw)

Laura Pausini Has Done It Again! October 16, 2010

Laura Pausini’s latest album, Primavera Anticipata, is once again exceptional!  Her incredible voice and interpretations always make me realize the depth of feeling that the Italian language can provoke when the right voice sings it!  All the songs on the album are beautiful, but this one is especially powerful.  Thank you, Laura, once again for your talent!

È inutile che ormai ti ostini a dire no
Negando un fatto ovvio
Tu necessiti di me
Nello stesso modo che anche io di te
Tu lascia che ora sia così
Prendi il sogno che ora è qui
E inizi a crederci
E non andare mai via perchè

Fino a che rimani
Sarà tu il migliore dei miei mali, tu sarai
Di quest’anni avari
L’oro nelle mani, sarò
Lo stesso anche io per te

E basterebbe ammattere
Che comunque quel che c’è
È la prova più evidente
Di un passato sterile
Non concede reppliche
Nel futuro ne al presente, così
Ormai, non tornare indietro mai
Non sacrificare noi, lo sai

Fino a che rimani
Sarà tu il migliore dei miei mali, dei miei mali
Tu sarai
Di quest’anni avari
L’oro nelle mani, è sarò
Lo stesso anche io, lo stesso anche io

Dei miei giorni sani
La cura nelle mani tu sarai
Lo sarò anche io per te

È inutile che ormai
Ti ostini a dire no
Negando un fatto ovvio

****************************************************************************

It’s useless already that you insist on saying no

negating an obvious fact

you need me

in the same way that i need you.

Just forget that now it’s like this

Take the dream that is now here

and begin to believe

and don’t ever leave because….

Until you remain

you will be the best of my hurts,  you will be

of these greedy years

the gold in my hands, I will be

the same for you, too.

And crazy as it is

and whatever it is

the most evident trial

of a sterile past

doesn’t deserve repitition

in the future nor in the present, like

now, I won’t ever return

Don’t ever sacrifice yourself, you know…

Until you stay

You will be the best of my hurts, of my hurts

You will be

Of these greedy years

the gold within my hands, and I will be

the same for you, the same for you.

Of my sane days

You are the cure

And I will be even for you.

It’s useless that you

continue to insist to say no

Negating an obvious fact.