The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #3465   Message #1154111
Posted By: Stephen R.
04-Apr-04 - 10:14 AM
Thread Name: Italian Folksongs
Subject: RE: Italian Folksongs
Now 'neath the silver moon, Ocean is glowing,
O'er the calm billow, Soft winds are blowing
Here balmy zephyrs blow, Pure joys invite us,
And as we gently row, All things delight us.

Chorus:
Hark how the sailor's cry Joyously echoes nigh:
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Home of fair poesy,Realm of pure harmony,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

When o'er thy waters, light winds are playing
Thy spell can soothe us, all care allaying;
To thee sweet Napoli, what charms are given;

Genie

I don't recall clearly, but I think the English I learned many years ago had "billow" or in the first stazna and "waters" in the second; I also think, but am not sure, that it had "breezes" rather than "zephyrs." I do remember the missing line at the end:

To thee, sweet Napoli, what charms are given,
Where smiles creation, toil blest by heaven.

Stephen