SANTA LUCIA - Mandolin

Santa Lucia is one of the most popular Neapolitan songs, which is performed on the traditional Italian mandolin by Dang Thao, a multi-instrumentalist. Ros Hewton accompanies him on piano. The music is beautiful.

The song was transcribed by Teodoro Cottrau (1827–1879) and published in Naples in 1849. He also translated the lyrics from Napuletano into Italian and it was the first Neapolitan song to be given Italian lyrics.

The Neapolitan lyrics of "Santa Lucia" celebrate the picturesque waterfront district, Borgo Santa Lucia, in the Bay of Naples.The boatman is inviting people to take a turn in his boat, to better enjoy the cool of the evening:

Complete lyrics SANTA LUCIA Teodoro Cottrau, 1835 Transcribed and Published 1849 (Stanza 1) Sul mare luccica, l'astro d'argento Placida è l'onda, prospero il vento; Sul mare luccica l'astro d'argento Placida è l'onda, prospero il vento; Venite all'agile barchetta mia; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Venite all'agile barchetta mia; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 2) Con questo zeffiro così soave, O, come è bello star sulla nave. Con questo zeffiro così soave, O, come è bello star sulla nave. Su passeggeri, venite via; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Su passeggeri,venite via; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 3) In' fra le tende bandir la cena, In una sera così serena. In' fra le tende bandir la cena, In una sera così serena. Chi non dimanda,chi non desia; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Chi non dimanda, chi non desia; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 4) Mare sì placido, vento sì caro, Scordar fa i triboli al marinaio. Mare sì placido, vento sì caro, Scordar fa i triboli al marinaio. E va gridando con allegria: Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! E va gridando con allegria: Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 5) O dolce Napoli, O suol beato, Ove sorridere volle il creato, O dolce Napoli, O suol beato, Ove sorridere volle il creato, Tu sei l'impero dell'armonia, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Tu sei l'impero dell'armonia, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 6) Or che tardate? Bella è la sera; Spira un'auretta fresca e leggiera; Or che tardate? Bella è la sera; Spira un'auretta fresca e leggiera; Venite all'agile barchetta mia; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Venite all'agile barchetta mia; Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Literal Meaning of SANTA LUCIA lyrics Translated by Mr. J.V. Presogna Posted January 21, 2012 (Stanza 1) Upon this glittering sea, a star of silver, Calm is the wave, prosperous the wind. Upon this glittering sea, a star of silver, Calm is the wave, prosperous the wind. Come with agility, my small boat, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! Come with agility, my small boat, Saint Lucy, Saint Lucy! (Stanza 2) With this zephir so sweet, Oh, how beautiful it is staying on the boat, With this zephir so sweet, Oh, how beautiful it is staying on the boat, On, passengers, come away, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! On, passengers, come away, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! (Stanza 3) Within the tent, putting aside supper, In an evening so serene. Within the tent, putting aside supper, In an evening so serene. Who wouldn't demand, who wouldn't desire, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! Who wouldn't demand, who wouldn't desire, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! (Stanza 4) The sea is calm, the wind is dear, Forget what makes tribulations for the sailor, The sea is calm, the wind is dear, Forget what makes tribulations for the sailor, And go shout with merriment, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! And go shout with merriment, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! (Stanza 5) Oh, sweet Naples, Oh, blessed soil, Where to smile desires its creation, Oh, sweet Naples, Oh, blessed soil, Where to smile desires its creation, You are the empire of harmony, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! You are the empire of harmony, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! (Stanza 6) An hour to linger? Beautiful is the evening, A spiral, a gentle breeze, fresh and light, An hour to linger? Beautiful is the evening, A spiral, a gentle breeze, fresh and light, Come with agility, my small boat, Saint Lucy! Saint Lucy! Come with agility, my small boat, Saint Lucy, Saint Lucy!

Complete lyrics SANTA LUCIA Translated by Mr. J.V. Presogna © 2010 (Stanza 1) Upon this brilliant sea, a star of silver, Across the gentle waves, the wind is sweeping. Upon this brilliant sea, a star of silver, Across the gentle waves, the wind is sweeping. Come help my little boat sail swiftly to the shore, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Come help my little boat sail swiftly to the shore, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 2) Full sail with breezes fair, so gentle are they, Oh, how this ship can feel, so fine beneath me, Full sail with breezes fair, so gentle are they, Oh, how this ship can feel, so fine beneath me, All passengers aboard, come sail the sea with me, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! All passengers aboard, come sail the sea with me, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 3) Between these sails that pull, forgetting supper, Oh, pleasant skies above, how I adore you. Between these sails that pull, forgetting supper, Oh, pleasant skies above, how I adore you. There are no grave demands, to quench desire, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! There are no grave demands, to quench desire, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 4) A sea that is so calm, a wind that's playful, A sailor's guarantee, forget what ails you, A sea that is so calm, a wind that's playful, A sailor's guarantee, forget what ails you, And he shouts from his heart, with all affection, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! And he shouts from his heart, with all affection, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 5) Oh, my sweet Napoli, Oh, blessed soil, Where nature smiles upon all of creation, Oh, my sweet Napoli, Oh, blessed soil, Where nature smiles upon all of creation, You are the harmony, you are the empire, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! You are the harmony, you are the empire, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (Stanza 6) Each hour to linger more, this lovely evening, Each breath is filled with air, so fresh and welcome, Each hour to linger more, this lovely evening, Each breath is filled with air, so fresh and welcome, Come help my little boat sail swiftly to the shore, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! Come help my little boat sail swiftly to the shore, Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!