4 marzo 1943 - March 4, 1943

Dice che era un bell'uomo e veniva, veniva dal mare parlava un'altra lingua però sapeva amare E quel giorno lui prese mia madre sopra un bel prato, l'ora più dolce prima d'essere ammazzato Così lei restò sola nella stanza, la stanza sul porto, con l'unico vestito ogni giorno più corto E benché non sapesse il nome e neppure il paese m'aspettò come un dono d'amore fino dal primo mese. Compiva sedici anni quel giorno la mia mamma, le strofe di taverna le cantò a ninna nanna! E stringendomi al petto che sapeva, sapeva di mare giocava a far la donna col bimbo da fasciare. E forse fu per gioco, o forse per amore che mi volle chiamare come nostro Signore. Della sua breve vita il ricordo, il ricordo più grosso è tutto in questo nome che io mi porto addosso. E ancora adesso che gioco a carte e bevo vino per la gente del porto mi chiamo Gesù bambino. La casa in riva al mare © 1971 Lucio Dalla, Paola Pallatino "4 marzo 1943" was an eye-opener at the 1971 Sanremo Music Festival, presented by Dalla and the group Equipe 84. The song placed 3rd and was then released as a single before being included on this album. Originally titled "Gesù Bambino," it was renamed at the last minute to Dalla's birthday, as the original titled was deemed disrespectful; also changed was the last verse which went "and still now that I curse and drink wine, for the thieves and prostitutes of the harbor my name is Baby Jesus."

It’s said that he was a handsome man and he came, he came from the sea. He spoke another language, but he knew how to love. And that day he took my mother overlooking a beautiful meadow, the sweetest hour before being killed. So she remained alone in her room, the room on the harbor, with her only dress shorter every day. And even though she didn’t know the name nor the country, she waited for me like a gift of love right from the first month. She turned sixteen years that day, my momma, tavern verses she sang like a lullaby! And holding me to her breast that smelled, it smelled of the sea, she played at being a woman with a baby to swaddle. And maybe it was for fun, or maybe for love, that she wanted to call me like our Lord. Of her short life, the memory, the biggest memory is all in this name that I carry on me. And still now that I play cards and drink wine, for the people of the harbor my name is Baby Jesus. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Storie di casa mia was Dalla's third solo album, released in 1971 a few months after he had some success at the Sanremo Music Festival with the song "4 marzo 1943." That song and this album gave Dalla his first taste of success. The lyrics on all the songs were by Dalla's usual writing partners, Gianfranco Baldazzi, Sergio Bardotti, and Paola Pallottino, except one song written by fellow aspiring singer/songwriter Lally Stott.