Wednesday 3 February 2010
Tune of the Day: Maria, Marì
Italian song by Eduardo Di Capua
Composed in 1899 by Eduardo Di Capua with lyrics by poet Vincenzo Russo, this song was originally entitled “Maria, Marì”, but it eventually came to be known as “Oi Marì” from the first words of its refrain.
The lyrics to this waltz, which are actually in Neapolitan dialect and not in Italian, depict a classical serenade: a window, a girl, and a suitor on the street below.
Open, o window!
Let Maria appear,
As I’m in the middle of the street
Hoping to see her!
I don’t have a moment's peace
I turn my night into day
To be always here
Hoping to talk to her!
Oi Marì, Oi Marì
How much sleep I lose over you!
Let me sleep
Just hugging you!