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Neapolitans

Aldo Giuffrè

(10 apr 1924 -
26 jun 2010)

An Italian film and theatre actor, on stage played with his brother Carlo.

Texts of the Neapolitan songs

Core signore


Museca: Nicola Valente,

Vierze: Salvatore Baratta.

Anno: 1920

Noble heart


Music: Nicola Valente,

Lyrics: Salvatore Baratta.

Year: 1920


Sì comm'a tutt' 'e ffemmene
E po', pe' ghionta 'e ruotolo,
Sì nata 'mmiez' ê zuoccole,
Ce pasce e nce vuò stà.
Capisce si 'nu giovane
È nato c' 'a sciammeria,
Cu 'e scarpe 'e pella lucida,
C' 'a penna e 'o benparlà?

Pirciò ce penzo e dico,
E 'o ddico proprio a tte:
" 'O mmale 'o ssaje qual è?
'O mmale 'o ssaje qual è?
Ca i' sò signore
E tengo 'o core
Cchiù signore 'e me.
Ca i' sò signore
E tengo 'o core
Cchiù signore 'e me".

T'aggio 'mparata a scrivere,
T'aggio 'mparata a vestere,
Teatre, automobbele pe' te civilizzà.
Ma è stato tutto inutile.
Sì sempe 'a stessa femmena:
'Ngrata, 'gnurante e spruceta
E chiena 'e 'nfamità.

Pirciò ce penzo e dico,
E 'o ddico proprio a tte:
" 'O mmale 'o ssaje qual è?
'O mmale 'o ssaje qual è?
Ca i' sò signore
E tengo 'o core
Cchiù signore 'e me.
Ca i' sò signore
E tengo 'o core
Cchiù signore 'e me".

Si fosse 'n'atu giovane,
Pe' dignità, per obbligo,
'Sta faccia 'e latte e fravula
Te ll'avarria 'a sfriggià.
Ma io no, mme metto a ridere,
Te tratto comme mmierete:
Manco 'nu rigo 'e lettera
Scrivo pe' te lassà.

Pirciò ce penzo e dico,
E 'o ddico proprio a tte:
" 'O mmale 'o ssaje qual è?
'O mmale 'o ssaje qual è?
Ca i' sò signore
E tengo 'o core
Cchiù signore 'e me.
Ca i' sò signore
E tengo 'o core
Cchiù signore 'e me".

translated by Natalia Chernega


You are like all women
But besides,
You were born surrounded by cows,
You live and want to stay here.
But do you understand that a man
Was born in a dress coat,
With shined shoes,
With ability to correctly write and speak?

Therefore I think of it
And I tell it to you:
"Do you know what's the harm?
Do you know what's the harm?
I am a gentleman
And my heart
Is nobler than me.
I am a gentleman
And my heart
Is nobler than me.

I have teached you how to write,
I have teached you how to dress tastefully,
Theatres, automobiles to civilize you.
But this all had been useless.
You are the same woman:
Ungrateful, ignorant and rude
And full of impudence.

Therefore I think of it
And I tell it to you:
"Do you know what's the harm?
Do you know what's the harm?
I am a gentleman
And my heart
Is nobler than me.
I am a gentleman
And my heart
Is nobler than me.

If I was another man,
For my dignity, for my honor,
Your face white like a milk,
I would have to disfigure it.
But I don't do it, I just laugh,
I treat you as you deserve:
Even a line of letter
I don't write you to leave you.

Therefore I think of it
And I tell it to you:
"Do you know what's the harm?
Do you know what's the harm?
I am a gentleman
And my heart
Is nobler than me.
I am a gentleman
And my heart
Is nobler than me.

translated by Natalia Chernega