'O surdato 'nnammurato

"'O surdato 'nnammurato" (pronounced [o surˈdɑːtə nːamːuˈrɑːtə]; transl. "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.[1]

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 'nnammurato" 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'ùrdemo 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, scetánnome '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 cchiù bella 'e tutt'e bbelle, nun è maje cchiù 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 of 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 verse:[2]

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 on Mario! (1958)[3]
• Sergio Franchi on Romantic Italian Song (1962; #17 on the Billboard Top 200)[4]
• Franco Corelli on Passione (1963)[5]
• Giuseppe di Stefano on Neapolitan Songs III (1965)[6]
• Massimo Ranieri, based on Anna Magnani's performance in the film La sciantosa (1971)[7]
• Luciano Pavarotti on Favourite Neapolitan Songs (1981)[8]
• Luciano Pavarotti in duet with the Corrs (middle verse sung in English)[2]
• Andrea Bocelli on Incanto (2008)
• Vittorio Grigolo on Arrivederci (2011)

In other media

• Ninì Grassia [it] directed a film named after the song [it] in 1983.

References

1. Sciorra, Joseph (2010). Italian Folk: Vernacular Culture in Italian-American Lives. p. 116, "the Neapolitan standard 'O surdato 'nnammurato (A Soldier in Love)".
2. Video on YouTube
3. 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 ..."
4. http://www.allrovi.com Archived 2011-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Sergio Franchi
5. 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 "
6. Schwann 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 ..."
7. 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 è Anna Magnani, conosciuta sul set del film 'La sciantosa' a cui partecipa ..."
8. Records 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 ..."

External links

• 'O surdato 'nnammurato at IMDb, 1983
• E-chords
• Italian translation