U Carrettieri Sicilianu

CARRETTIERI

Calatu è già lu suli intra lu mari

Si stancu vestia mia, iu puru tantu

Li roti chianu chianu fa girari

A casa tu mi porti ed iu ti cantu

Lu suli è naspressatu tuttu u jornu

Lu pruvulazzu quarnaravava ‘ntornu

Scattare là ‘a paglia e lu me pani

E avemu a cuminciari arré dumani

THE CART-DRIVER

(In this song, the cart-driver is singing to his donkey, who is pulling the cart.) 

The sun has already set on the sea.

You're tired, my beast, and so am I.

You make the wheels turn slowly, slowly.

You bring me home, and I sing to you.

The sun is scorching all day long.

The dust swirls all around.

Hauling straw is how I earn my bread.

And we have to start over again tomorrow.

And we have to start over again tomorrow.

"Carrettieri" (from "Four Sicilian Miniatures")
Composed by Alfonso Gibilaro (1888-1957)
Sung by Beniamino Gigli (1890-1957)
Recorded 15 February 1949