Overview
Introduction
"Santa Lucia" (Italian: [ˈsanta luˈtʃiːa], Neapolitan: [ˈsandə luˈʃiːə]) is a traditional Neapolitan song. It was translated by Teodoro Cottrau (1827–1879) into Italian and published by the Cottrau firm, as a barcarola, in Naples in 1849. Cottrau translated it from Neapolitan into Italian during the first stage of the Italian unification, the first Neapolitan song to be given Italian lyrics. Its transcriber, who is very often credited as its composer, was the son of the French-born Italian composer and collector of songs Guillaume Louis Cottrau (1797–1847). Various sources credit A. Longo with the music, 1835.
The original lyrics of "Santa Lucia" celebrate the picturesque waterfront district, Borgo Santa Lucia, in the Gulf of Naples, in the invitation of a boatman to take a turn in his boat, to better enjoy the cool of the evening.
In the United States, an early edition of the song, with an English translation by Thomas Oliphant, was published by M. McCaffrey, Baltimore. Perhaps the definitive 20th century recording of the song was that of Enrico Caruso, the great Neapolitan opera singer.
Bing Crosby included the song in a medley on his album 101 Gang Songs (1961).
The song was also recorded by Elvis Presley on the 1965 album Elvis for Everyone! and featured in the film Viva Las Vegas.
In Sweden, Finland, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, "Santa Lucia" has been given various lyrics to accommodate it to the winter-light Saint Lucy's Day, at the darkest time of the year. The three most famous lyrics versions in Swedish are Luciasången, also known by its incipit, Sankta Lucia, ljusklara hägring ("Saint Lucy, bright illusion"); Natten går tunga fjät ("The night walks with heavy steps"); and the 1970s "kindergarten" version, Ute är mörkt och kallt ("Outside it’s dark and cold"). The more common Norwegian version is Svart senker natten seg ("Black the night descends").
In the Czech Republic (or former Czechoslovakia), it was made famous with the words Krásná je Neapol sung by Waldemar Matuška.
In Austria it is famous under the title "Wenn sich der Abend mild". It is sung by Austrian fraternities.
In Thailand a translation, Silpakorn Niyom (Thai: ศิลปากรนิยม), is the anthem of Silpakorn University; the founder of the university, Silpa Bhirasri, was Italian.
Lyrics
看晚星多明亮, 闪耀着金光. 海面上微风吹, 碧波在荡漾.
在银河下面, 暮色苍茫. 甜蜜的歌声, 飘荡在远方.
在这黑夜之前, 请来我小船上. 桑塔·露琪亚,桑塔·露琪亚.
在这黎明之前，快离开这岸边。桑塔·露琪亚,桑塔·露琪亚.
看小船多美丽, 漂浮在海上. 随微波起伏, 随清风荡漾.
万籁的静寂, 大地入梦乡. 幽静的深夜里, 明月照四方.
在这黑夜之前，请来我小船上。桑塔·露琪亚,桑塔·露琪亚.
在这黎明之前, 快离开这岸边. 桑塔·露琪亚,桑塔·露琪亚.
Sul mare luccia l'astro d'argento,
Placida è l'onda, prospero è il vento
Venite all'agile barchetta mia...
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Con questo zeffiro, così soave
Oh! Com'è bello star su la nave!
Su passaggieri, venite via!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
In fra le tende bandir la cena
In una sera così serena!
Chi non domanda, chi non desia?
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Mare sì placido, vento sì caro
Scordar fa I triboli al marinaro,
E va gridando con allegria,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
O dolce Napoli, o suol beato,
Ove sorridere volle il creato
Tu sei l'impero dell'armonia!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Or che tardate? Bella è la sera,
Spira un'auretta fresca e leggera,
Venite all'agile barchetta mia
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
