Dicitencello vuje - Tell Her So

Dicitencello a 'sta cumpagna vosta Ch'aggio perduto 'o suonno e 'a fantasia Ch'a penzo sempe Ch'è tutta vita mia I' nce 'o vvulesse dicere Ma nun ce 'o ssaccio dí 'A voglio bene 'A voglio bene assaje! Dicitencello vuje Ca nun mma scordo maje E' na passione Cchiù forte 'e na catena Ca mme turmenta ll'anema E nun mme fa campá! Dicitencello ch'è na rosa 'e maggio Ch'è assaje cchiù bella 'e na jurnata 'e sole... Da 'a vocca soja Cchiù fresca de vviole I' giá vulesse sèntere Ch'è 'nnammurata 'e me! 'A voglio bene 'A voglio bene assaje! Dicitencello vuje Ca nun mma scordo maje E' na passione Cchiù forte 'e na catena Ca mme turmenta l'anema E nun mme fa campá! Na lácrema lucente v'è caduta Dicíteme nu poco: a che penzate? Cu st'uocchie doce Vuje sola mme guardate Levámmoce 'sta maschera Dicimmo 'a veritá Te voglio bene Te voglio bene assaje Si' tu chesta catena Ca nun se spezza maje! Suonno gentile Suspiro mio carnale! Te cerco comm'a l'aria: Te voglio pe' campá! Te voglio pe' campá! Lyric by Enzo Fusco, music by Rodolfo Falvo, 1930

Tell your friend that I lost the dream and the fantasy, that I think of her always, that she’s my entire life. I’d like to tell her but I don’t know how. I love her, I love her so much. Tell her so, that I never forget her. It’s a passion stronger than a chain that torments my soul and doesn’t let me live. Tell her so, that she’s a rose in May, that she is prettier still than a sunny day, her mouth fresher than violas. I’d like to feel that she’s in love with me. I love her, I love her so much. Tell her so, that I never forget her, it’s a passion stronger than a chain that torments my soul and doesn’t let me live. A glistening tear fell on you, tell me a little – what are you thinking? With these sweet eyes you only look at me. Let’s lift up this mask, let’s tell the truth. I love you, I love you so much. You are the chain that never breaks. Gentle sleep, my sensual sigh, I search for you like the air, I want you, to live! I want you, to live! English translation © 2023 Dennis Criteser The tradition of Neapolitan songs has its roots in the 13th century, and came into full bloom in the period from 1830-1950, when an annual song competition would honor the best song each year. Between 1963 and 1965, Roberto Murolo released a 12-album anthology of Neapolitan songs ranging from 1200 through the early 1960s. Volume 8 includes songs from 1925 to 1938.