The great tenor and Hollywood star Mario Lanza sings Santa Lucia, a traditional Neapolitan song attributed to Teodoro Cottrau. Piano: Paul Baron.

Mario Lanza sings Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia is a traditional Neapolitan song. It was translated by Teodoro Cottrau (1827–1879) into Italian and published by the Cottrau firm, as a barcarola, in Naples (Napoli) in 1849. Cottrau translated it from Neapolitan into Italian during the first stage of the Italian unification, the first Neapolitan song to be given Italian lyrics.

The lyrics of “Santa Lucia” describe a boatman inviting people to take a trip in his boat, with the beautiful view of the sea and the sweet breeze of the night serving as an enchanting backdrop. The song praises the beauty of Santa Lucia, a waterfront district in Naples, capturing the serene and picturesque essence of the area. It’s a serenade or barcarolle, which are songs traditionally sung by Venetian gondoliers. The melody and rhythm of the song evoke the gentle motion of a boat on the water, which complements the maritime theme of the lyrics.

Over time, “Santa Lucia” gained international fame, becoming a popular Italian folk song outside of Naples and Italy. Its melody is gentle and lyrical, which contributes to its widespread appeal. The song has been covered and adapted by numerous artists around the world, further testament to its enduring popularity.

The song is often performed in concerts and gatherings, serving as a representation of Italian culture and heritage. Its melody and lyrics have a nostalgic and evocative quality, making it a beloved piece in the repertoire of Italian music.

Santa Lucia Lyrics

Neapolitan

Comme se frícceca
la luna chiena!
lo mare ride,
ll’aria è serena…
È pronta e lesta
la varca mia…
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!

Stu viento frisco
fa risciatare:
chi vo’ spassarse
jenno pe’ mmare?
Vuje che facite
‘mmiezo a la via?
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!

La tènna è posta
pe’ fa’ ‘na cena;
e quanno stace
la panza chiena
non c’è la mínema
melanconia.
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!

Pozzo accostare la varca mia
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Italian

Sul mare luccica l’astro d’argento.
Placida è l’onda, prospero è il vento.
Sul mare luccica l’astro d’argento.
Placida è l’onda, prospero è il vento.
Venite all’agile barchetta mia,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Venite all’agile barchetta mia,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Con questo zeffiro, così soave,
Oh, com’è bello star sulla nave!
Con questo zeffiro, così soave,
Oh, com’è bello star sulla nave!
Su passeggeri, venite via!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Su passeggeri, venite via!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

In fra le tende, bandir la cena
In una sera così serena,
In fra le tende, bandir la cena
In una sera così serena,
Chi non dimanda, chi non desia.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Chi non dimanda, chi non desia.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Mare sì placida, vento sì caro,
Scordar fa i triboli al marinaro,
Mare sì placido, vento sì caro,
Scordar fa i triboli al marinaro,
E va gridando con allegria,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
E va gridando con allegria,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

O dolce Napoli, o suol beato,
Ove sorridere volle il creato,
O dolce Napoli, o suol beato,
Ove sorridere volle il creato,
Tu sei l’impero dell’armonia,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Tu sei l’impero dell’armonia,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Or che tardate? Bella è la sera.
Spira un’auretta fresca e leggera.
Or che tardate? Bella è la sera.
Spira un’auretta fresca e leggera.
Venite all’agile barchetta mia,
Santa Lucia! Santa -Lucia!
Venite all’agile barchetta mia,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

English Translation

On the sea glitters the silver star
Gentle the waves, favorable the winds.
On the sea glitters the silver star
Gentle the waves, favorable the winds.
Come into my nimble little boat,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!
Come into my nimble little boat,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!

With this breeze, so gentle,
Oh, how beautiful to be on the ship!
With this breeze, so gentle,
Oh, how beautiful to be on the ship!
Come aboard passengers, come on!
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!
Come aboard passengers, come on!
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!

Inside the tents, putting aside supper
On such a quiet evening,
Inside the tents, putting aside supper
On such a quiet evening,
Who wouldn’t demand, who wouldn’t desire?
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!
Who wouldn’t demand, who wouldn’t desire?
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!

Sea so calm, the wind so dear,
Forget what makes trouble for the sailor,
Sea so calm, the wind so dear,
Forget what makes trouble for the sailor,
And go shout with merriment,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!
And go shout with merriment,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!

O sweet Naples, O blessed soil,
Where to smile desired its creation,
O sweet Naples, upon blessed soil,
Where to smile desired its creation,
You are the kingdom of harmony,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!
You are the kingdom of harmony,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!

Now to linger? The evening is beautiful.
A little breeze blows fresh and light.
Now to linger? The evening is beautiful.
A little breeze blows fresh and light.
Come into my nimble little boat,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!
Come into my nimble little boat,
Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy!

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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