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'O surdato 'nnammurato
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Wikipedia article
'O surdato 'nnammurato' (; in English: "The Soldier in Love") is a famous song written in the Neapolitan language. The song is used as the anthem of S.S.C. Napoli.
The words were written by Aniello Califano and the music composed by Enrico Cannio in 1915. The song describes the sadness of a soldier who is fighting at the front during World War I, and who pines for his beloved. Originally Cannio's sheet music was published with piano accompaniment, but in recordings, on 78rpm, then LP, Neapolitan standards such as 'O surdato' have usually been orchestrated to suit each tenor.
Lyrics
' Original lyrics '
: Staje luntana da stu core
: e a te volo cu 'o penziero:
: niente voglio e niente spero
: ca tenerte sempe a ffianco a me!
: Si' sicura 'e chist'ammore
: comm'i' so' sicuro 'e te...
:: Oje vita, oje vita mia...
:: oje core 'e chistu core...
:: si' stata 'o primmo ammore...
:: e 'o primmo e ll'rdemo sarraje pe' me!
: Quanta notte nun te veco,
: nun te sento 'int'a sti bbracce,
: nun te vaso chesta faccia,
: nun t'astregno forte 'mbraccio a me?
: Ma, scetnnome 'a sti suonne,
: mme faje chiagnere pe' te...
:: Oje vita, oje vita mia [...]
: Scrive sempe e sta' cuntenta:
: io nun penzo che a te sola...
: Nu penziero mme cunzola,
: ca tu pienze sulamente a me...
: 'A cchi bella 'e tutt'e bbelle,
: nun maje cchi bella 'e te!
:: Oje vita, oje vita mia [...]
'English translation:'
: You are far away from this heart,
: I fly to you in thought:
: I hope and want nothing more
: than always keeping you by my side!
: Be sure about this love
: As I am sure that I love you...
:: Oh life, oh my life...
:: Oh heart of this heart...
:: You were the first love...
:: and the first and last you will be for me!
: How many nights have I not seen you,
: not felt you in my arms,
: not kissed your face,
: not held you tight in my arms?!
: But, waking from these dreams,
: you make me cry for you...
:: Oh life, oh my life [...]
: Always write and be happy:
: I can only think of you...
: One thought comforts me,
: that you only think of me...
: The most beautiful woman of all,
: is never more beautiful than you!
:: Oh life, oh my life [...]
The Corrs when performing with Luciano Pavarotti used the following English lyrics for the second varse:
: So many nights without you
: without you in my arms
: I can kiss you, I can draw you close to me
: but wake up from your slumber
: you make me cry for you!
Notable performances and recordings
* Mario Lanza 'Mario!' 1958 Derek Mannering 'Mario Lanza: singing to the gods ' 2001 Page 177, "In late November 1958 Lanza returned to Rome to record the first in a new set of long-playing albums for RCA Victor, his first for the company in four years." p251 "RCA Living Stereo recording; Orchestra conducted by Franco Ferrara/Chorus by Franco Potenza 439 Funiculi Funicula 440 Dicitencello Vuie 441 Maria Marl 442 Voce'ENotte 443 CantaPe'Me 444 O Surdato 'namurato 445 Come Facette ..."
* Sergio Franchi on 'Romantic Italian Songs.' 1962 RCA Victor Red Seal album. Billboard Top 200 (number seventeen)http://www.allrovi.com Sergio Franchi
* Franco Corelli on 'Passione.' 1963 Consensus and review of the latest issues of recorded classical music - Volume 4 - Page 27 1963 "Lama: Silenzio cantatore. Gambardella: 'O Maranariello. Cannio: 'O surdato 'nnammurato. Cioffi: 'Na sera 'e maggio. Franco Corelli (tenor). Orchestra conducted by Franco Ferraris. Passione (arr. Tagliaferri.) 12-inch. 36s. Od. H.M.V. ALP 1965 "
* Giuseppe di Stefano on 'Neapolitan Songs III' 1965Schwann monthly guide to stereo records - Volume 17, Issues 7-9 - Page 145 1965 "Vocal Di Stefano, Giuseppe Neapolitan Songs III: Torna a Surriento; Tu ca' nun chiagne; Sona chitarral; Lacreme Napulitane; Napule canta; 'O surdato 'nnammurato; Catarl, Catari: Pusil- leco...; Era di Maggio; Scetatel; Addio ..."
* Anna Magnani's performance of the song, in the film 'La sciantosa' (1971), is well known, as is the version of Massimo Ranieri.Enrico Deregibus 'Dizionario completo della Canzone Italiana' 2010 Page 391 "Intanto nel '72 Ranieri licenzia una prima raccolta live di classici napoletani ('O SURDATO 'NNAMMURATO): a suggerirgli il recupero delle radici canore partenopee Anna Magnani, conosciuta sul set del film La sciantosa a cui partecipa ..."
* Luciano Pavarotti on 'Favourite Neapolitan songs' 1981Records in review - Volume 26 - Page 371 1981 "LUCIANO PAVAROTTI: "O sole mio: Favorite Neapolitan Songs." DI CAPUA: O sole mio; Maria, Mart. TOSTI: 'A vucchella; Marechiare. CANNIO: 'O surdato 'nnammurato. GAMBARDELLA: 'O marenariello. DE CURTIS: Torna a ..."
* Luciano Pavarotti duet with the Corrs. The middle verse is sung in English
* Andrea Bocelli on "Incanto" (2008)
* Vittorio Grigolo on "Arrivederci" (2011)
See also
* Nini Grassia directed a film which took its name from the song in 1983.
References
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