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| ABRUZZESE SONGS FOR DOWNLOADING |
| SONGS OF LETTOMANOPPELLO AND ROCCAMORICE |
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| All of the songs available for downloading on this page are sung by Costantino Conte, who accompanies himself on the accordian. Costantino was born in the U. S. of parents who came from Lettomanoppello, Pescara, Abruzzo. He grew up hearing stories of Lu Lette, hearing and speaking dialect, and playing and singing the music of his parents' paese. For years he has been a much-loved and indispensible performer at weddings, banquets, parades, and other functions in his home town, which has a sizeable Italian population.
La Canzone de Lu Lette is a poem set to music; the poem written in Lettese dialect by Gustavo De Rentis, a long-time mayor of Lettomanoppello now deceased, sings the praises of the town. Allegro Giuvento de La Rocca, also in dialect, was written about 1948 when Roccamorice, a neighbor to Lettomanoppello, joined with the town of San Valentino in San Valentino's festa; the Roccamorice band and the young people of Roccamorice marched into San Valentino playing and singing this song. We thank Costantino for allowing us to offer you these songs, and we hope you'll enjoy them as much as we do. La Canzone de Lu Lette and Allegro Giuvento de La Rocca will remain on the page permanently, but we will add other songs by Costantino from time to time on a rotating basis, so bookmark this page and check back often. |
Costantino Conte Soprannome: Tamburo Costantino's grandfather, Nicolo Conte, who was the town barber in Lu Lette, was also the drummer in all of Lu Lette's festas, and he was therefore given the nickname Tamburo. Email Costantino At: lettesoc@aol.com |
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| It is better to listen to these songs by saving them to your own computer (right click on the title and select "Save As" or "Save Target As") rather than playing them on the site, as they may not 'stream' properly.
If you don't already have one, you'll need an MP3 player in order to listen to the songs after you've downloaded them. If you don't already have an MP3 player, it's easy to download and install one, FREE. You can click on either of these links to get one: Click here: Free Winamp MP3 Player Click here: Free Microsoft Media Player |
| DOWNLOAD SONGS HERE Click Here to download "La Canzone de Lu Lette" 2.8MB Click Here to download "Allegro Giovento de La Rocca" 1.6MB Click Here to download "Desiderio Abruzzese" 2.7 MB Click Here to download "Lucenacappella" 1.3MB Click Here to download "Il Passarotto" 1.0MB Click Here to download "La Jerve a Lu Cannette" 0.5MB Click here to download " Ognuno" 1.33 MB Click here to download "Reginella Campagnola" 2.43 MB Click here to download "Paese" 2.76 MB Click here to download "La Campagnola" 2.59 MB Click here to download "Piumontessina" 1.42 MB |
| LYRICS TO ALL SONGS ARE BELOW, in Abruzzese dialect and English |
| De Lettemanuppelle
se ne trove a lu monne sole une; a vivre a nu paese accusci bbelle e na vera furtune. Chi ve' a Lu lette n' ze muvesse mi; chi ha nate a hecche ce se vo' muri'. E; cicu ciche, ma ce se sta bbone, pecche ce s'arespire l'aria fine; e ce se cante e sone da sere e de matine; e la notte e lu jorne e a tutte l'ore a stu paese que' se fa l'amore. Riturnelle: Alloche sta lu mare, alloche la Maielle; a mmezze sta stu paesette bbelle. La gente de Lu Lette e la cchiu bbone che se po truva', pecche te' 'm mocche quelle che te' 'm pette, e nen te sa 'nganna'. E' na nzi' rozze... e fijje de muntagne! (Ce sta le spine 'ntorne a la castagne.) Chi gioje, amore e vite vo' truva', ha da meni' a vede' ste giuvenette; chi se vo' 'nnamura' ha da meni' a Lu Lette. Lu Lette ce se cante a tutte l'ore; Lu Lette ce se fa, se sa, l'amore. Riturnelle: Alloche sta lu mare, alloche la Maielle; a mmezze sta stu paesette bbelle. |
| La Canzone de Lu Lette
("The Song of Lu Lette") |
| Of Lettomanoppello
you will find only one in this world; to live in this beautiful town is truly good fortune. Who comes to Lu Lette would never leave; who was born here wants to die here. It is small, but we are contented, for we breath fine air, and we sing and play morning and evening, day and night, at all hours in this town we love. Chorus: Over there is the sea, Over there the Maiella; In the middle is this beautiful town. The people of Lu Lette are the best that can be found, for they speak what is in their hearts, and they don't know how to be cruel. They are a little rustic-- they are children of the mountain! (They are like the thorns around the chestnuts.) Here you will find joy and love of life, you must come and see the young ladies; whoever wants to fall in love must come to Lu Lette. In Lu Lette we sing at all hours, In Lu Lette we know love. Chorus: Over there is the sea, over there the Maiella, In the middle is this beautiful town. |
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| Allegro Giuvento de La Rocca
("The Lively Young People of La Rocca") |
| Sta l'legro giovento
ve da La Rocca, gne gioa e nge sorrise sue la vocce, gne sta canzone de la Bruzza belle, a combina gne vu sta festarella. Riturnelle: Tra sune e canta, ci volgliame tutti quando a' cuore e cuore, bracciate gne l'amore. De la Mialle nu sciame, li fiori, li fiori perfumate ngne l'amore, tieneme la bellet'se de la Bruzza belle a combina gne vu sta festarella. Riturnelle: Tra sune e canta, ci volgliame tutti quando a' cuore e cuore, bracciate gne l'amore. |
| We lively young people
come from La Rocca, with joy and happiness in our voices, with this song of beautiful Abruzzo, To join with you this holiday. Chorus: Between singing and playing, we want everyone, heart to heart, embraced with love. From the Maiella, we are the flowers, the flowers perfumed with love. We have the beauty of beautiful Abruzzo, To join with you this holiday. Chorus: Between singing and playing, we want everyone, heart to heart, embraced with love. |
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| Desiderio Abruzzese
(Abruzzese Desire) |
| E volesi dormi na nattuta
A braciate con te cora cora E senti stu delerio d’amore Se mi veni se stiai con me Sei tu vien a lu mare a bannarti Su pa spiaggia deserto asulata Tu vetri li stele del mare E ti vengo na coronare. Campagnolla abruzzese Lu Profumo di mare Pe na notte d’amore E rinuzzia campa. Sono un petto d’dore Fa mi sta na nuttata E ma brucia d’amore E non posse campare. Coi li treccia luciendi corlina Tu na cedilla ancora mi para Ma se femina pieno di fuoco Sei ti guardo mi fai e m’bazzi Se me dia un poco d’amore E camina ginocchio nu mezze E se poi sari la mia spossa Solamente per te cantero. Campagnolla abruzzese Se nu raggio di sole Pe na notte d’amore E rinnuzzia campa Se tu vai con passione De stu core a malati Fa mi sta no nuttatta A dormite con te. |
| I would like to sleep one night
Embracing you heart to heart And feeling this rapture of love. If you come to me, if you stay with me If you come to the sea to bathe On a deserted beach You will see the stars of the sea And to you will come a crowning. Abruzzese country girl The perfume of the sea For a night of love I would renounce our companionship. This is an embrace to adore Let me stay one night I am burning for love And I cannot live. With your shining braids Corlina To me you still look like a child But you are a woman full of fire. When I look at you it drives me crazy. If you would give me a little love I would walk on my knees for a month And if only you would be my girl For you alone I would sing. Abruzzese country girl You are a ray of the sun. For a night of love I would renounce our companionship. If you go with passion For this sick heart Let me stay one night To sleep with you. |
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| Lucenacappelle
(Fire Flies) |
| Lùcena belle, lùcenacappèlle,
Che notta calme e chiare, gna luce nche sta lune la Maielle. Vole, vole a mijare Attorn’ a te le lùcenacappèlle. Lùcena belle, lùcenacappèlle, Vin’ ecch’ a me ca ti vojje ‘acchiappà; T’ òjje passà’ nche na spinguela d’ore, ‘M pett’ all’ amore ti vòjj’ appuntà’. È scrizze, è scrizzitille, È verniçe che scappe da lu foche; È stelle piccirille Che cale da lu ciele a poche a poche. Lùcena belle, lùcenacappèlle, Vin’ ecch’ a me ca ti vojje ‘acchiappà; T’ òjje passà’ nche na spinguela d’ore, ‘M pett’ all’ amore ti vòjj’ appuntà. Venet’ a me, stellucce, Mi serve na cullana di bbrilliante: Vòjje che Marïucce Ariduvente fìje di regnante. Lùcena belle, lùcenacappèlle, Vin’ ecch’ a me ca ti vojje ‘acchiappà; T’ òjje passà’ nche na spinguela d’ore, ‘M pett’ all’ amore ti vòjj’ appuntà. |
| Beautiful brightness, luminous little hats,
What a night calm and clear, In the moonlight on the Maiella. Flying, flying by the thousands Around you, the fire-flies. Beautiful brightness, luminous little hats, Come to me, I want to catch you. I want to pierce you with a golden spear, To put love into your heart. Snapping and crackling, The fire-flies are running from the fire. They are like little stars, That come down from the sky slowly, slowly. Beautiful brightness, luminous little hats, Come to me, I want to catch you. I want to pierce you with a golden spear, To put love into your heart. Come to me, little stars, Make me a shining necklace, So that Mariucce Can become again the daughter of royalty. Beautiful brightness, luminous little hats, Come to me, I want to catch you. I want to pierce you with a golden spear, To put love into your heart. |
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| Il Passarotto
(The Sparrow) |
| Ogni anno a primavera
Coi mandorli di maggio E coi li ciliergi in fior’. Sull’albero fiorito Tornava al vecchio nido Lu Passariello ancor’. Ricordo ogni mattina Con suo frullo d’alle Veniva primo sole Per farimi ri’sviliar’. E tutta la mia casa Di festa si riempiva E poi si addormentava Al tramontar’. Dove sta lu passariello Dove andato chi lo sa, Ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci, Il cuore mi risponde chi mai lo sa. Forse in fondo a quella valle O tra boschi a cinguetar’, Ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci, Lu passariello mio non tornera. Ed ora primavera E ritornato maggio Con mille piu color Sull’albero fiorito Pero non e tornato Lu passariello ancor’. Se guardo verso i monte, Se guardo verso il mare, Sento una stretta al cuore Nell’a spettar’. Dove sta lu passariello? Dove andata chi lo sa? Ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci Il cuore mi risponde chi mai lo sa? Forse in fondo a quella valle O tra Boschi a cinguetar’, Ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci-ci, Lu passariello mio non tornera. |
| Every year in Spring,
With the almond trees And with the cherry trees in flower, With all the trees in bloom, Returns to its old nest The sparrow again. I remember every morning, With its wings outspread It would come at sunrise To awaken me .And all of my house Was filled with happiness. Then it would go to sleep At sundown. But now where is the sparrow? Where it went, who knows? Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci, My heart responds who knows? Maybe it is down in the valley, Or in the woods, chirping Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci My little sparrow does not return. And now it is Spring, And May has returned With a thousand colors. The trees are all in bloom, But my little sparrow Has not returned yet. I look towards the mountains, I look toward the sea, I feel a tightness in my heart As I wait. Where is the little sparrow? Where it went, who knows? Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci, My heart responds, who knows? Maybe it is down in the valley Or in the woods, chirping Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci-Ci, My little sparrow does not return. |
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| La Jerve a Lu Cannette
(The Grass in the Cane-Brake) (In the villages of Abruzzo,grass was often hand-picked for the small livestock) |
| So jite a fa la jerve a lu canette, oili.
So jite a fa la jerve a lu canette, oila. La prima fronne me la tajate lu dete Jamme a la rintulella Quande ci ulema ama, ci ulema ama, Ci ulema ama, Ci uleme bbene. Mittijta lu trene vimmi a ritruva. E Mamme mi ha ditte e Tate pure, oili. E Mamme mi ha ditte e Tate pure, oila. L’amore nge lu furastire poche dure Jamme a la rintulella Quando ci ulema ama, ci ulema ama, Ci ulema ama, ci ulema bbene; Mittijta lu trene vimme a ritruva |
| I went to pick grass in the cane-brake, oili;
I went to pick grass in the cane brake, oila; The first blade cut my finger. Let’s go to the place of swallows Oh how we love, oh how we love, Oh how we love, we love so much; Come on the train and find me. Mother told me and Father too, oili, Mother told me and Father too, oila, Love with a stranger is short-lived. Let’s go to the place of the swallows; Oh how we love, oh how we love, Oh how we love, we love so much; Come on the train and find me. |
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| Click here for more Italian songs by Costantino Conte! |
| Ognuno (Everyone) |
| Ognuno cerco sempre una stella,
Che lo quida, dall'altro del ciel. Ognuno vuole sempre un'amore Che li dedica tutto el suo cuore. Ma, la mia stella dove sta? El mio amore chissa dove, dove? Ci sono tante stelle in cielo, Ma la mia dove, Sarai caduta en mezza mare, O'en imenzziata Ci sono tante donna al mondo, Ma la mia qua lei? Io sono gia incontrado tante Ma nessuno dal mio cuore? |
| Everyone always looks for a star,
To guide them from the heavens. Everyone always wants a love That they can dedicate their heart to. But where is my star? My love, where is she, where? There are many stars in the sky, But where is mine? Maybe it has fallen into the sea, Or into space. There are many women in the world, But which one is mine? I have met many, But none close to my heart. |
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| Reginella Campagnola (Queen of the Country)( The woodpecker is the Queen of the Country) |
| All'alba quando spunta il sole,
La nell'abruzzo tutto d'or, Le prosperose Campagnolle Discendono le valli in fiore. Campagnola vieni qua che ti volio raconda Tutto quello che si fa nella citta. O campagnola bella, tu sei la reginella. Negli occhi tuoi c'è il sole, C'è il colore delle viole, Delle valli tutte in fiore! Se canti , la tua voce È un'armonia di pace Che si diffonde e dice; Se vuoi vivere quassu!.. Campagnola vieni qua che ti volio raconda Tutto quello che si fa nella citta. Quando' è la festa del paesello, Con la sua cesta se ne va, Trotterellando l'asinello, La porta verso la citta. Campagnola vieni qua che ti volio raconda Tutto quello che si fa nella citta. |
| At dawn when the sun is rising.
Abruzzo is golden all around. The prosperous woodpecker Descends through the valleys all in flower Woddpecker come here. I want to tell you All that's going on in the city. O beautiful woodpecker, You are a queen. In your eyes you have the sun, and the color of the violets of the valleys all in flower. When you sing, your voice Is a harmony of peace That goes deep and says: If you want to live you must come here! Woddpecker come here. I want to tell you All that's going on in the city. When there is a festa in the town, With your baskets you go, The donkey trots along And carries you to town. Woddpecker come here. I want to tell you All that's going on in the city. |
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| Paese
(Hometown) |
| La piu bella cosa che la vita ci puo dare
E la gioventu, ma piano se neva. Hai venti anni, Ormai cosa aspetti ancora. Hai la tua valigia E quinta lora di partire. Come un grande amico che di colpo ti a'bandona. Menne son andato per non ritornare piu. Forse son cambiato, ho la mia vita amaro. Sapessi come mi ritorni in ment insieme a lei. Paese dove sinasce sei, sei come il primo amore, Non ti si puo scurdare. Paese, so stato ingrato. Lei non mangiava sei non e ritornato. Paese, lei non capiva, Che in fondo, in fondo non si vive solo per amore. No lei no lo sa, Paese mio quest hai la verita. Ringranziando il cielo, Posso dire andata bene, E quella valigia, No ma la ricordo piu. Ora quasi tutto, Ma se ci penso tu che mi mancheresti, Sempre solo tu. Paese dove sinasce sei, sei come il primo amore, Non ti si puo scurdare. Paese, so stato ingrato. Lei non dormiva sei non e ritornato. Paese, lei non capiva, Che in fondo, in fondo non si vive solo per amore. No lei no lo sa, Paese mio quest hai la verita. |
| The most beautiful thing that life can give
Is youth, but slowly it vanishes. I am 21 years old. What more do I want? I have my suitcase all ready And it is time for me to leave. Leaving you was like losing a dear friend. I have left, never to return. I have changed and my life is bitter. In my mind I return to be with you. Paese where I was born, You are like a first love, You cannot be forgotten. Paese, I have been ungrateful. I will not eat if I do not return. Paese, I did not understand that down deep you do not live for love alone. No, you do not know, But my paese, this is true. I thank the heavens That everything has gone well, And that as for my suitcase, I don't need to remember it anymore! That is all. But if you think there is something I have missed, Always, only, you. Paese where I was born, You are like a first love, You cannot be forgotten. Paese, I have been ungrateful. I will not sleep if I do not return. Paese, I did not understand that down deep you do not live for love alone. No, you do not know, But my paese, this is true. |
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| La Campagnola
(Country Girl) |
| Bella capile che c'ai, sta campagnola
Bella capile che c'ai, sta campagnola Capile belle per me Morbita come un fiore del ora, El coloro del sole splendera. Che belle occhioni che c'ai, sta campagnola Che belle occhioni che c'ai, sta campagnola Occhioni belle per me, Azzuri come il cielo per me, Primavera piu bella non c'ai. Che belle bocca che c'ai, sta campagnola Che belle bocca che c'ai, sta campagnola Boccucia belle per me, Fresca piu d'una rosa, Profumo di canto sappore d'amore. Che belle gamba che c'ai, sta campagnola Che belle gamba che c'ai, sta campagnola Gambina belle per me, Piu bella non ci sono per me, Primavera per me fiorira. Tutti penso a te, O Campagnola. Bella tu sai la regina Nessun po scurda!! |
| What beautiful hair she has, this Campagnola,
What beautiful hair she has, this Campagnola, Beautiful hair for me, Soft like a golden flower, The color of the shining sun. What beautiful eyes she has, this Campagnola, What beautiful eyes she has, this Campagnola, Beautiful eyes for me, Azure like the sky for me, Even the springtime has not such beauty. What a beautiful mouth she has, this Campagnola, What a beautiful mouth she has, this Campagnola, A beautiful mouth for me, Fresher than a perfumed rose, With a singing taste of love. What beautiful legs she has, this Campagnola, What beautiful legs she has, this Campagnola, Beautiful legs for me, There is none more beautiful to me, For me, springtime is flourishing. Everyone thinks of you, O Campagnola. Queen of beauty you are, No one can forget!! |
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| Piumontessina |
| Addio bene giorni pasatti mia picola amica,
Ti debbo lasciar. Gli studi suon gia terminati Abbiamo finito cosi di sengnare. Lonntan andro, Dove non so Parto con pianto nel cuore Dammi l'ultimo bacio d'amore Non ti potro scordare Piumontessina bella. Sarai la sola stella Che brillera per me. Ricordi quella sera Passate a valentino Col biono studentino Che ti stringeva su cuore Totino l'allegro studente Un giorno andato adesso dottor. Io curo la povera gente Ma pure non riesco a guarire il mio cuore. Lonntan andro, Dove non so. Parto con pianto nel cuore Dammi l'ultimo bacio d'amore. |
| Goodbye to the days of the past my little friend,
I must leave you. Our studies are ended. We have finished with our records. I am going far away, Where I do not know, I am leaving with a weeping heart Give me a last kiss of love. I will not forget you My beautiful Piumontessina. You are the only star That shines for me. Remember those evenings You walked through the gardens of Valentino With your blonde student Who hugged you close to his heart, Your young student lover. One day I will become a doctor. I will cure people, But I will not be able to heal my own heart. I am going far away, Where I do not know. I am leaving with a weeping heart Give me a last kiss of love. |
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| Click here for more Italian songs by Costantino Conte! |