‘A canzona ‘e Napule (The Song of Naples)

lyrics by Libero Bovio
music by Ernesto De Curtis

This particular song was a common sentiment among Italian immigrants to America at the turn of the century. Given that today is Columbus Day, it seems only fitting to remember. Here is Roberto Murolo singing it:

Original NapuletanoMy translation
Mme ne vogl’i’ a ll’America,
Ca sta luntana assaje.
Mme ne vogl’i’ addò maje
Te pozzo ‘ncuntrà cchiù.
I wish about going to America,
Which is far away.
I wish about where never
I can encounter you anymore.
Mme voglio scurdà ‘o cielo,
Tutt’ ‘e ccanzone e ‘o mare.
Mme voglio scurdà ‘e Napule,
Mme voglio scurdà ‘e mammema,
Mme voglio scurdà ‘e te.
I want to forget the sky,
All the songs and the sea.
I want to forget about Naples,
I want to forget about my mother,
I want to forget about you.
Nun voglio cchiù nutizie
D’amice e d’ ‘e pariente.
Nun voglio sapè niente
‘E chello ca se fa!
I don’t want news anymore
About friends and of relatives.
I don’t wan to know anything
About that which happens!
Mme voglio scurdà ‘o cielo,
Tutt’ ‘e ccanzone e ‘o mare.
Mme voglio scurdà ‘e Napule,
Mme voglio scurdà ‘e mammema,
Mme voglio scurdà ‘e te.
I want to forget the sky,
All the songs and the sea.
I want to forget about Naples,
I want to forget about my mother,
I want to forget about you.
Ma quanto è bella Napule!
Stanotte è bella assaje!
Nun ll’aggio vista maje
Cchiù bella ‘e comm’a mò!
But how beautiful is Naples!
This evening is gorgeous!
I have never seen it
So beautiful like this now!
Comme mme scordo ‘o cielo,
Tutt’ ‘e ccanzone e ‘o mare?
Comme mme scordo ‘e Napule?
Comme mme scordo ‘e mammema?
Comme mme scordo ‘e te?
How could I forget the sky,
All of the songs and the sea?
How could I forget about Naples?
How could I forget about my mother?
How could I forget about you?

Featured image from Wikipedia.

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