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The ciaramella

Texts of the Neapolitan songs

'O surdato 'nnammurato


Museca: Enrico Cannio,

Vierze: Aniello Califano.

Anno: 1915

The soldier in love


Music: Enrico Cannio,

Lyrics: Aniello Califano.

Year: 1915

This song describes the sadness of a soldier who is fighting at the front during World War One and who pines for his beloved.


Staje luntana da 'stu core,
A te volo cu 'o penziero,
Niente voglio e niente spero
Ca tenerte sempe a fianco a mme!
Sì sicura 'e chist'ammore
Comm'i' sò sicuro 'e te?

Oje vita, oje vita mia!
Oje core 'e chistu core!
Sì stata 'o primmo ammore
E 'o primmo e ll'urdemo sarraje pe' mme!

Quanta nnotte nun te veco,
Nun te sento 'int'a 'sti bbracce,
Nun te vaso chesta faccia,
Nun t'astregno forte 'mbraccio a mme!
Ma, scetannome a 'sti suonne,
Me faje chiagnere pe' tte.

Oje vita, oje vita mia!
Oje core 'e chistu core!
Sì stata 'o primmo ammore
E 'o primmo e ll'urdemo sarraje pe' mme!

Scrive sempe e sta' cuntenta:
Io nun penzo che a te sola!
'Nu penziero me cunzola
Ca tu pienze sulamente a mme!
'A cchiù bella 'e tutt' 'e bbelle
Nun è maje cchiù bella 'e te!

Oje vita, oje vita mia!
Oje core 'e chistu core!
Sì stata 'o primmo ammore
E 'o primmo e ll'urdemo sarraje pe' mme!

translated by Natalia Chernega


You are far away from my heart,
I fly to you in thoughts,
I hope for nothing and want nothing
More than keeping you beside me!
Are you sure of this love
As I'm sure of you?

Oh, life, oh, my life!
Oh, heart of my heart!
You've become my first love
And for me you'll be the first and the last one!

How many nights I don't see you,
Don't feel you in my arms,
Don't kiss your face,
Don't embrace you heartily!
But, waking from these dreams,
You make me cry because of you.

Oh, life, oh, my life!
Oh, heart of my heart!
You've become my first love
And for me you'll be the first and the last one!

Write me always and be glad:
I think only of you!
A thought consoles me
That you also think only of me!
The most beautiful girl of all beauties
Is not more beautiful than you!

Oh, life, oh, my life!
Oh, heart of my heart!
You've become my first love
And for me you'll be the first and the last one!

translated by Natalia Chernega