’O surdato ’nnammurato
’O surdato ’nnammurato (pronounced [o surˈdɑːtə nːamːuˈrɑːtə]; in English: "The Soldier in Love") is a famous song written in the Neapolitan language. The song is used as the anthem of S.S.C. Napoli.[1]
The words were written by Aniello Califano and the music composed by Enrico Cannio in 1915. The song describes the sadness of a soldier who is fighting at the front during World War I, and who pines for his beloved. Originally Cannio's sheet music was published with piano accompaniment, but in recordings, on 78rpm, then LP, Neapolitan standards such as O surdato have usually been orchestrated to suit each tenor.
Lyrics
- Staje luntana da stu core,
- a te volo cu 'o penziero:
- niente voglio e niente spero
- ca tenerte sempe a fianco a me!
- Si' sicura 'e chist'ammore
- comm'i' so' sicuro 'e te...
- Oje vita, oje vita mia...
- oje core 'e chistu core...
- si' stata 'o primmo ammore...
- e 'o primmo e ll'ùrdemo sarraje pe' me!
- Quanta notte nun te veco,
- nun te sento 'int'a sti bbracce,
- nun te vaso chesta faccia,
- nun t'astregno forte 'mbraccio a me?!
- Ma, scetánnome 'a sti suonne,
- mme faje chiagnere pe' te...
- Oje vita....
- Scrive sempe e sta' cuntenta:
- io nun penzo che a te sola...
- Nu penziero mme cunzola,
- ca tu pienze sulamente a me...
- 'A cchiù bella 'e tutte bbelle,
- nun è maje cchiù bella 'e te!
- Oje vita....
ENGLISH TRANSLATION:
You are far away from this heart, I fly to you in thought: I hope and want nothing more than always keeping you by my side! Are you sure about this love As I am sure that I love you ...
Oh life, oh my life ... Oh heart of this heart ... You were the first love ... and the first and last you will be for me!
How many nights have I not seen you, not felt you in my arms, not kissed your face, not held you tight in my arms?! But, waking from these dreams, you make me cry for you ...
Oh life, oh my life ...
Write ever and be happy: I can only think of you... One thought comforts me, you only think of me ... The most beautiful woman in the world, is never more beautiful than you!
The Corrs when performing with Luciano Pavarotti used the following English lyrics for the second piece:[2]
- so many nights without you
- without you in my arms
- I can kiss you, i can draw you close to me
- but wake up from your slumber
- you make me cry for you
Notable performances and recordings
- Mario Lanza Mario! 1958 [3]
- Sergio Franchi on Romantic Italian Songs. 1962 RCA Victor Red Seal album. Billboard Top 200 (number seventeen)[4]
- Franco Corelli on Passione. 1963 [5]
- Giuseppe di Stefano on Neapolitan Songs III 1965[6]
- Anna Magnani's performance of the song, in the film La sciantosa (1971), is well known, as is the version of Massimo Ranieri.[7]
- Luciano Pavarotti on Favourite Neapolitan songs 1981[8]
- Luciano Pavarotti duet with the Corrs. The middle verse is sung in English Video on YouTube
See also
- Nini Grassia directed a film which took its name from the song in 1983.
References
- ↑ Joseph Sciorra Italian Folk: Vernacular Culture in Italian-American Lives 2010 Page 116 "the Neapolitan standard 'O surdato 'nnammurato (A Soldier in Love)"
- ↑ Video on YouTube
- ↑ Derek Mannering Mario Lanza: singing to the gods 2001 Page 177, "In late November 1958 Lanza returned to Rome to record the first in a new set of long-playing albums for RCA Victor, his first for the company in four years." p251 "RCA Living Stereo recording; Orchestra conducted by Franco Ferrara/Chorus by Franco Potenza 439 Funiculi Funicula 440 Dicitencello Vuie 441 Maria Marl 442 Voce'ENotte 443 CantaPe'Me 444 O Surdato 'namurato 445 Come Facette ..."
- ↑ http://www.allrovi.com Sergio Franchi
- ↑ Consensus and review of the latest issues of recorded classical music - Volume 4 - Page 27 1963 "Lama: Silenzio cantatore. Gambardella: 'O Maranariello. Cannio: 'O surdato 'nnammurato. Cioffi: 'Na sera 'e maggio. Franco Corelli (tenor). Orchestra conducted by Franco Ferraris. Passione (arr. Tagliaferri.) 12-inch. 36s. Od. H.M.V. ALP 1965 "
- ↑ Schwann monthly guide to stereo records - Volume 17, Issues 7-9 - Page 145 1965 "Vocal Di Stefano, Giuseppe — Neapolitan Songs III: Torna a Surriento; Tu ca' nun chiagne; Sona chitarral; Lacreme Napulitane; Napule canta; 'O surdato 'nnammurato; Catarl, Catari: Pusil- leco...; Era di Maggio; Scetatel; Addio ..."
- ↑ Enrico Deregibus Dizionario completo della Canzone Italiana 2010 Page 391 "Intanto nel '72 Ranieri licenzia una prima raccolta live di classici napoletani ('O SURDATO 'NNAMMURATO): a suggerirgli il recupero delle radici canore partenopee è Anna Magnani, conosciuta sul set del film “La sciantosa” a cui partecipa ..."
- ↑ Records in review - Volume 26 - Page 371 1981 "LUCIANO PAVAROTTI: "O sole mio: Favorite Neapolitan Songs." DI CAPUA: O sole mio; Maria, Mart. TOSTI: 'A vucchella; Marechiare. CANNIO: 'O surdato 'nnammurato. GAMBARDELLA: 'O marenariello. DE CURTIS: Torna a ..."