Santa Lucia (song) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Santa Lucia" |
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Tino Rossi's rendition of "Santa Lucia"
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| Language | Neapolitan |
"Santa Lucia" is a very old and famous Neapolitan song from Naples, Italy. It's like a folk song from that region. It was first written in the Neapolitan language and later translated into Italian in 1849 by Teodoro Cottrau. This was a big deal because it was the first Neapolitan song to get Italian lyrics! The song is about the beautiful waterfront area of Borgo Santa Lucia in Naples. It invites people to take a ride in a boat to enjoy the cool evening by the sea.
Contents
Song Story
The song "Santa Lucia" was first published in 1849. It was translated from the Neapolitan language into Italian by Teodoro Cottrau. He was the son of a French-Italian composer named Guillaume Louis Cottrau. Some people think A. Longo wrote the music in 1835.
The original words of "Santa Lucia" paint a picture of the lovely waterfront in Naples, called Borgo Santa Lucia. The song is an invitation from a boatman. He wants you to come for a ride in his boat. This way, you can enjoy the cool evening air even more.
Song Lyrics
Here are the lyrics for "Santa Lucia" in different languages.
Original Neapolitan Lyrics
Comme se frícceca
la luna chiena!
lo mare ride,
ll'aria è serena...
È pronta e lesta
la varca mia...
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!
Stu viento frisco
fa risciatare:
chi vo' spassarse
jenno pe' mmare?
Vuje che facite
'mmiezo a la via?
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!
La tènna è posta
pe' fa' 'na cena;
e quanno stace
la panza chiena
non c'è la mínema
melanconia.
Santa Lucia,
Santa Lucia!
Pozzo accostare la varca mia
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Italian and English Lyrics
| Italian | English |
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Sul mare luccica l’astro d’argento. |
On the sea glitters the silver star |
English Lyrics
Now 'neath the silver moon Ocean is glowing,
O'er the calm billows, soft winds are blowing.
Here balmy breezes 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 the waters light winds are playing,
Thy spell can soothe us, all care allaying.
To thee sweet Napoli, what charms are given,
Where smiles creation, toil blest by heaven.
Different Versions of the Song
"Santa Lucia" has been recorded by many famous singers. One very well-known recording was by the great opera singer Enrico Caruso. Mario Lanza also recorded it on his album "Mario Lanza sings Caruso favorites."
In the United States, an early English version was published by M. McCaffrey in Baltimore. The English words were written by Thomas Oliphant.
In countries like Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, "Santa Lucia" is sung with different words. These new lyrics are for the winter holiday called Saint Lucy's Day. This holiday happens when the days are shortest and darkest.
Some popular Swedish versions include Luciasången (also known as Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring), Natten går tunga fjät, and a version for younger children called Ute är mörkt och kallt. In Norway, a common version is Svart senker natten seg. In Denmark, it's often sung as Nu bæres lyset frem.
In the Czech Republic, the song became famous with the words Krásná je Neapol, sung by Waldemar Matuška. In Austria, it's known as "Wenn sich der Abend mild" and is sung by student groups.
In Thailand, a version called Silpakorn Niyom is the official song for Silpakorn University. This is because the university's founder, Silpa Bhirasri, was Italian.
Famous Performances
Many artists have performed "Santa Lucia" over the years:
- A choir sings it in Swedish in the cartoon Arthur's Perfect Christmas.
- Bing Crosby included the song in a collection on his album 101 Gang Songs (1961).
- Elvis Presley recorded the song for his 1965 album Elvis for Everyone!. It was also in his movie Viva Las Vegas.
- Monsieur Tranquille made a disco version for his first album in 1977.
- The Tolmachevy Sisters sang it on their 2007 album Polovinki.
- Italian tenor Sergio Franchi recorded this song in 1963.
- Hayley Westenra included the song on her album Treasure.
- In 1964, Jim Nabors, Don Knotts, Andy Griffith, and a choir performed the song on The Andy Griffith Show. This was in an episode called "The Song Festers."
- Italian-American singer Jerry Vale recorded a popular version.
- Tom and Jerry sang it at the start of the cartoon Cat and Dupli-cat.
- Mustafa Sağyaşar recorded a Turkish version in 1998 with his son Cemil.
- Robot B-9 sang parts of the song in the "Lost in Space" episode "The Ghost Planet." The actor who played the Robot, Bob May, sang this version. He was joined by actor Bill Mumy, who played Will Robinson, on the guitar.
