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Neapolitan
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The ciaramella

Texts of the Neapolitan songs

'A femmena!


Museca: Ernesto De Curtis,

Vierze: Rocco Galdieri.

Anno: 1911

The woman!


Music: Ernesto De Curtis,

Lyrics: Rocco Galdieri.

Year: 1911

Instrumental version


E tenevo tant' amice,
Comm' a mme, d' 'a stessa età.
Tutt' 'e ssere: Tu che ddice?
Parla… sciglie… e llà se va!

Ma 'na sera ca p' 'e ssette
M'aspettavan' 'o cafè,
Chella sera te vedette
E lassaje lloro pe' tte.
Ah!…
Chella sera te vedette
E lassaje lloro pe' tte!

E tenevo 'a passione
P' 'e cruvatte e p' 'o vvestì.
Tre costume ogne staggione!
Me piaceva 'e cumparì…

Mò: 'o costume? E nun m' 'o cagno!
Nun m' 'o faccio 'nu gilè!
'Ncuollo a me tutt' 'o sparagno
Pe' te fà ll'oggette a tte!
Ah!…
'Ncuollo a me tutt' 'o sparagno
Pe' te fà ll'oggette a tte!

E tenevo… ma che ddico?…
Sì, tenevo 'a giuventù…
E perdennome cu ttico,
T' 'a pigliaste pure tu!

E i', credenno 'e fà felice
Chi tremmava 'mpiett' a mme,
Rummanette senz' amice,
Senza mezze e senza te!
Ah!…
Rummanette senz' amice,
Senza mezze e senza te!

translated by Natalia Chernega


I had so many friends
Like me, the same age.
Every evening: What are we going to do?
Say it… choose… and let's go!

But one evening, when at seven o'clock
They were waiting for me in the cafe,
I met you that evening
And for you I left them.
Ah!…
I met you that evening
And for you I left them!

I had a passion
For the neck ties and clothes.
Three suits every season!
I liked to look elegant…

Now: my suit? I don't change it!
I don't wear a waistcoat!
All my savings
I spend on you!
Ah!…
All my savings
I spend on you!

I had… but what am I saying?…
Yes, I had the youth…
But I lost myself because of you,
My youth was ruined by you!

And I, thinking I make my heart happy
That beats in my chest,
I was left without friends,
Without funds and without you!
Ah!…
I was left without friends,
Without funds and without you!

translated by Natalia Chernega