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Una bottiglia di vino, le bocce e un cassetto per le medaglie Ed un cappello di paglia che copra le corna che ha da sua moglie Questo è tutto ciò, ciò che lascerò a mio padre Quattro gioielli, uno smalto, un vestito e un amante nuovo di zecca Che sia gentile, sia bello, che me la consoli, povera cocca Questo è tutto ciò, ciò che lascerò a mia madre Testamento! Testamento! Già l’ho fatto e non mi pento! Un notaio, poi scompaio Vado via di qua! La mia bellezza, la dote, un profumo e un passato meno spassato Che finalmente le faccia trovare uno straccio di marito Questo è tutto ciò, ciò che lascerò a mia sorella Il matrimonio fallito di due che hanno fatto troppo presto all’amore Ragazze madri e un drogato, perché poi lei possa spettegolare Questo è tutto ciò, ciò che lascerò a mia zia Testamento! Testamento! Già l’ho fatto e non mi pento! Un notaio, poi scompaio Vado via di qua! Non tutti i sogni, non tutti i miei baci, non tutti, ma solo un po' Questo perché si ricordi che a volte mi ha amato, a volte no Questo è tutto ciò, ciò che lascerò al mio uomo Testamento © 1971 Claudio Baglioni, Jean Roland Musy and Laurence Matalon "Testamento" is similar in concept to Fabrizio De André's 1963 "Il testamento," which itself was patterned after songs by Georges Brassen and Jacques Brel. |
A bottle of wine, the bocce balls, and a case for the medallions, and a straw hat that covers the horns that you have due to your wife. This is everything that, that I will leave to my father. Four jewels, a nail polish, a dress, and a brand spanking new lover who is kind, is handsome, who consoles me, poor pet. This is everything that, that I will leave to my mother. Will and testament! Will and testament! I’ve already done it with no regrets! A notary, then I disappear, I’m going away from here! My beauty, my talent, a perfume, and a less-than-good-times past that finally makes her find a shred of a husband. This is everything that, that I will leave to my sister. The failed wedding of two who made love prematurely – single mothers and a junkie, so that then she can gossip. This is everything that, that I will leave to my aunt. Will and testament! Will and testament! I’ve already done it with no regrets! A notary, then I disappear, I’m going away from here! Not all the dreams, not all of my kisses, not everything, but only a little – this so that it’s remembered that sometimes I was loved, sometimes not. This is everything that, that I will leave to my man. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Oltre la collina (Beyond the Hill) was Mia Martini's debut album, as well as the debut of her nom de plum (she was born Domenica Rita Adriana Bertè and her previous singles were released under Mimì Bertè). The album treats a number of heavy topics - suicide, spirituality, sexual violence, illness - and Italy wasn't ready for an album so direct, emotionally honest, and dark. The album suffered poor sales, but stands out as a bold statement and testament to Martini's lifelong desire to sing only material that she could personally connect with. She was, at the time, a sort of Gypsy-hippie recreating herself and escaping from the emotional subjugation that traditional southern Italian culture could inflict on women. |
I began exploring Italian popular songs as part of learning Italian. Here are my translations for some of my favorite "canzoni" by Italian singers, songwriters, and bands whose work I admire. It's a work in progress that can serve as a curated introduction to Italian popular music, with an emphasis on the 1950s through the 1990s. If you speak Italian, send me a message if you see lyrics I've misunderstood.
