Mandulinata a Napule

Mandolin Serenade in Naples

Mandulinata a Napule

Summer night! shining little fireflySera d'está! pusilleco lucente
Sings a song and smells of sea grass.Canta canzone e addora d'erba 'e mare.
I want words more than burning love,Voglio 'e pparole cchiù d'ammore ardente,
I want words more gentle and dearVoglio 'e pparole cchiù gentile e care
To say "I care about you" to those who hear me.Pe' dí "te voglio bene" a chi mme sente.

But of the words more carnal and sweet,Ma d''e pparole cchiù carnale e doce,
I choose only three: "I care about you."Ne sceglio sulo tre: "te voglio bene".
Beautiful, in your heart I know what you hold,Bella, 'int''o core tujo sacc'io chi tiene,
Who’s in my heart, you know too.Chi sta int''o core mio saje pure tu.

For the sea of Naples, what harmony!P''o mare 'e napule quant'armunia!
Rising to the sky and the sky hears,Saglie 'ncielo e 'ncielo sentono,
All the stars, my voice.Tutt''e stelle, 'a voce mia.
Voice, that holds,Voce, ca tènnera,
This love makes.St'ammore fa.

Summer night! the houses are asleepNotte d'está! se só' addurmute 'e ccase
And the sky, over the sea, has spread a scene.E 'o cielo, a mare nu scenario ha stiso.
Stay in my arms, innocent are these kisses.Staje 'mbracci'a me, 'nnucente só' sti vase.
Beautiful, tonight, I’m your brother and husband.Bella, stanotte, te só' frato e sposo.
Tonight, love and God are one thing.Stanotte, ammore e dio sóngo una cosa.

Sing, and from sleep Naples awakens,Canta, e da 'o suonno napule se sceta,
Laughing are the mouths that have kissed.Ridono 'e vvocche ca se só' vasate.
All the sighs of all the loversTutt''e suspire 'e tutt''e 'nnammurate
Sigh tonight, around you.Suspirano, stanotte, attuorno a te.

For the sea of Naples, what harmony.P''o mare 'e napule quant'armunia.
Rising to the sky and, the sky, hears,Saglie 'ncielo e, 'ncielo, sentono,
All the stars, my voice.Tutt''e stelle, 'a voce mia.
Voice, that holds,Voce, ca tènnera,
This love makes.St'ammore fa.