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Canzone Napoletane / Neapolitan Songs

The canzone napoletane, or songs of Naples, are known throughout Italy and throughout the world. These songs are not in Italian, but in the Neapolitan dialect.

Below we have listed the lyrics to three songs which are perhaps the most famous of all the canzone: O Sole Mio, Torna a Surriento, and Oje Mari. Of course there are many other songs as well. You can find the lyrics to them and more information at the following web sites:

Napoletane


'O sole mio
( G. Capurro - E. Di Capua, 1898 )

I

Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole,
n'aria serena doppo na tempesta!
Pe' ll'aria fresca pare gia' na festa...
Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole.

Ma n'atu sole
cchiu' bello, oi ne'.
'o sole mio
sta 'nfronte a te!

II

Lùcene 'e llastre d''a fenesta toia;
'na lavannara canta e se ne vanta
e pe' tramente torce, spanne e canta
lùcene 'e llastre d'a fenesta toia.

Ma n'atu sole ...

III

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.

Ma n'atu sole...

English


O sole mio
( G. Capurro - E. Di Capua, 1898 )

I

What a beautiful thing, the day and sun,
The serene air after a storm!
The fresh air is just like a feast!,
What a beautiful thing, the day and sun.

But is there another sun
more beautiful? Oh no!
My Sun
shines on your forehead!

II



Torna a Surriento
(G. De Curtis - E. De Curtis, 1904)

I

Vide 'o mare quant'è bello!
Spira tantu sentimento.
Comme tu a chi tiene mente
ca scetato 'o faie sunna'.

Guarda, gua' chistu ciardino;
siente, sie' sti sciure arance.
Nu prufummo accussì fino
dinto 'o core se ne va...

E tu dice: "I' parto, addio!"
T'alluntane da stu core...
Da la terra de l'ammore...
Tiene 'o core 'e nun turna'?

Ma nun me lassa',
nun darme stu turmiento!
Torna a Surriento,
famme campa'!

II

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 Sserene,
ca te guardano 'ncantate
e te vonno tantu bene...
Te vulessero vasa'.

E tu dice: "I' parto, addio!"
T'alluntane da stu core...
Da la terra de l'ammore....
Tiene 'o core 'e nun turna'?

Ma nun me lassa',
nun darme stu turmiento!
Torna a Surriento,
famme campa'!



Return to Sorrento
(G. De Curtis - E. De Curtis, 1904)

 

 


Maria Mari (Oje Mari)
(V. Russo - Di Capua)

Arápete fenesta!
Famme affacciá a Maria,
ca stóngo 'mmiez'â via...
speruto d''a vedé...

Nun trovo n'ora 'e pace:
'a notte 'a faccio juorno,
sempe pe' stá ccá attuorno,
speranno 'e ce parlá!

Oje Marí', oje Marí',
quanta suonno ca perdo pe' te!
Famme addurmí,
abbracciato nu poco cu te!
Oje Marí', oje Marí'!
Quanta suonno ca perdo pe' te!
Famme addurmí...
oje Marí', oje Marí'!

II

'Mmiez'a stu ciardeniello,
ce ride 'a malvarosa...
Nu lietto 'e fronne 'e rosa
aggio fatto pe' te...

Viene che 'a notte è doce,
'o cielo ch'è nu manto...
Tu duorme e io te canto
'a nonna a fianco a te...

Oje Marí', oje Marí', ...

III

Pare che giá s'arape
na sénga 'e fenestella...
Maria cu 'a manella,
nu segno a me mme fa!

Sòna chitarra mia!
Maria s'è scetata!...
Na scicca serenata,
facímmole sentí:

Oje Marí', oje Marí', ...


Maria Mari (Oje Mari)
(V. Russo - Di Capua)

Throw open the window!
Let me see my Maria
Here I stand in the middle of the road
Hoping to see her!

I am not able to find peace
neither by night nor by day
I always return here
Hoping to speak with her!

Oh Mari! Oh Mari!
How much sleep I have lost over you!
Let me sleep,
a little bit more hugs from you.
Oh Mari! Oh Mari!
How much sleep I have lost over you!
Let me go to sleep
Oh Mari! Oh Mari!

II

In the middle of this little garden

A little bed of grass & roses
I have made for you

Come by night and sweetly,
cloaked by the sky,
You sleep and I will sing to you
a lullaby, side by side with you.

Oh Mari! ...

III

Just as above the window
opens by just a crack,
Maria with her small hand
gives me the sign!

I play my guitar
Maria has awakened!!
??
Hear me!

Oh Mari! ...

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