Sunday, November 10, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   Nuvole barocche - Baroque Clouds

Poi un'altra giornata di luce
poi un altro di questi tramonti
e portali colonne fontane.

Tu mi hai insegnato a vivere
insegnami a partir.

Ma il cielo è tutto rosso
di nuvole barocche
sul fiume che si sciacqua
sotto l'ultimo sole.

E mentre soffio a soffio
le spinge lo scirocco
sussurra un altro invito
che dice di restare.

Poi carezze lusinghe abbandoni
poi quegli occhi di verde dolcezza
mille e una di queste promesse.

Tu mi hai insegnato il sogno
io voglio la realtà.

E mentre soffio a soffio
le spinge lo scirocco
sussurra un altro invito
che dice devi amare
che dice devi amare.

Nuvole barocche © 1961 Fabrizio De André/Gianni Lario/Carlo Stanisci

"Nuvole barocche" was the first song written by De André and was the A side of the first 45 released by the Karim label, in 1961. The song had been written in 1958 and had more the vocal style of "Volare" by Domenico Modugno, a song that had taken the world by storm also in 1958. Official credits aside, the lyrics of the song were co-written by De André and Gianni Cozzo (Giannilario), and the music was written by Umberto Bindi. The song is far from trademark De André, who wrote this song off, along with "Fu la notte," as retro "sins of youth."




"Volare," the smash hit of 1958 that probably indirectly influenced "Nuvole barocche."
Then another day of light,
then another of these sunsets,
and portals, columns, fountains.

You taught me to live,
teach me to leave.

But the sky is all red
with baroque clouds
over the river that rinses itself
under the setting sun.

And while breath by breath
the cool damp sirocco wind pushes them on,
it whispers another invitation
that says to stay.

Then caresses, lures, moments of abandon,
then those eyes of green sweetness,
a thousand and one of these promises.

You taught me the dream,
I want the reality.

And while breath by breath
the cool damp sirocco wind pushes them on,
it whispers another invitation
that says you must love,
that says you have to love.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser


Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles released between 1961 and 1966.
Back to Album List         Back to Song List

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   E fu la notte - And It Was Nighttime

E fu la notte
la notte per noi
notte profonda
sul nostro amore.

E fu la fine
di tutto per noi
resta il passato
e niente di più.

Ma se ti dico:
"non t'amo più"
sono sicuro
di non dire il vero.

E fu la notte
la notte per noi
buio e silenzio
son scesi su noi.

E fu la notte
la notte per noi
buio e silenzio
son scesi su noi.

E fu la notte © 1961 Franco Franchi/Carlo Cesare Stanisci/Arrigo Amadesi

"E fu la notte" was the B side of the first 45 released by the Karim label, in 1961. Given the power of De André's lyric writing throughout his career, the banality of the lyrics provided for him on this song, combined with the sappy, retro '50s sound of this recording, are quite the contrast to his subsequent work. One can see why he disowned these earliest tunes, entertaining as they might be as historical footnotes, which marked his first steps into being a recording artist.



And it was nighttime,
the nighttime for us,
deep night
on our love.

And it was the end
of everything for us,
the past remained
and nothing more.

But if I tell you,
“I don’t love you anymore,”
I am sure
to not be telling the truth.

And it was nighttime,
the nighttime for us.
Darkness and silence
descended on us.

And it was nighttime,
the nighttime for us.
Darkness and silence
descended on us.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser


Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles released between 1961 and 1966.
Back to Album List         Back to Song List

Friday, November 8, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   Delitto di paese - Small Town Crime (Brassens)

Non tutti nella capitale
sbocciano i fiori del male,
qualche assassinio senza pretese
l'abbiamo anche noi in paese.

Qualche assassinio senza pretese
lo abbiamo anche noi qui in paese.

Aveva il capo tutto bianco
ma il cuore non ancor stanco
gli ritornò a battere in fretta
per una giovinetta.

Gli ritornò a battere in fretta
per una giovinetta.

Ma la sua voglia troppo viva
subito gli esauriva,
in quattro baci e una carezza
l'ultima giovinezza.

In quattro baci e una carezza
l'ultima giovinezza.

Quando la mano lei gli tese
triste lui le rispose,
d'essere povero in bolletta
lei si rivestì in fretta.

D'essere povero in bolletta
lei si rivestì in fretta.

E andò a cercare il suo compagno
partecipe del guadagno
e ritornò col protettore
dal vecchio truffatore.

E ritornò col protettore
dal vecchio truffatore.

Mentre lui fermo lo teneva
sei volte lo accoltellava
dicon che quando lui spirò
la lingua lei gli mostrò.

Dicon che quando lui spirò
la lingua lei gli mostrò.

Misero tutto sotto sopra
senza trovare un soldo
ma solo un mucchio di cambiali
e di atti giudiziari.

Ma solo un mucchio di cambiali
e di atti giudiziari.

Allora presi dallo sconforto
e dal rimpianto del morto,
si inginocchiaron sul poveruomo
chiedendogli perdono.

Si inginocchiaron sul poveruomo
chiedendogli perdono.

Quando i gendarmi sono entrati
piangenti li han trovati
fu qualche lacrima sul viso
a dargli il paradiso.

Fu qualche lacrima sul viso
a dargli il paradiso.

E quando furono impiccati
volarono fra i beati
qualche beghino di questo fatto
fu poco soddisfatto.

Qualche beghino di questo fatto
fu poco soddisfatto.

Non tutti nella capitale
sbocciano i fiori del male,
qualche assassinio senza pretese
lo abbiamo anche noi in paese.

Qualche assassinio senza pretese
lo abbiamo anche noi qui in paese.

Text of Delitto di paese © 1965 Fabrizio De André based on
L'Assassinat © 1962 Georges Brassens


"Delitto di paese" is a mostly faithful translation of "L'assassinat" by Georges Brassens, with only a few small changes (notably there's a reference to Baudelaire with De André's change to "flowers of evil," the title of an early volume of Baudelaire's poetry). This was the first of many translations De André would do of songs by Brassens, who was a major influence on De André both for his music and for his political and philosophical points of view. Both men considered compassion and forgiveness the most powerful human forces for good, reflected in this song by the killers' admittance to Heaven after they shed tears of remorse for their crime (the tears on their faces gave them entrance to heaven).

Not only in the capital
do flowers of evil bloom.
Some modest killing
even we have in the village.

Some modest killing
even we have here in the village.

His head was white all over
but his heart, not yet tired,
returned to him to throb fast
for a young girl.

It returned to him to throb fast
for a young girl.

But his desire, too lively,
quickly exhausted
in four kisses and a caress
his final youthfulness.

In four kisses and a caress,
his final youthfulness.

When his hand she held,
he responded to her, sad
for being poor, flat broke.
She got back dressed in a hurry.

For being poor, flat broke,
she got back dressed in a hurry.

And she went in search of her companion,
sharer in the earnings,
and returned with a protector
to the old trickster's place.

And she returned with a protector
to the old trickster's place.

While he, standing, held him,
she stabbed him six times.
They say when he spent his last breath
she showed him the tongue.

They say when he spent his last breath
she showed her companion the tongue.

They turned the place upside down
without finding a penny,
only but a pile of bills
and court judgments.

Only but a pile of bills
and court judgments.

Then, taken by the discomfort
and regret of death,
they got down on their knees by the poor fellow,
asking him for pardon.

They got down on their knees by the poor fellow
asking him for pardon.

When the gendarmes entered
they found them crying.
Some tears were on their faces
to give them heaven.

Some tears were on their faces
to give them heaven.

And when they were hung
they flew among the blessed.
Of this fact a few bigots
were little satisfied.

Of this fact a few bigots
were little satisfied.

Not only in the capital
do flowers of evil bloom.
Some modest killing
even we have in the village.

Some modest killing
even we have here in the village.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser



Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles released between 1961 and 1966.
Back to Album List         Back to Song List

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   Valzer per un amore (o campestre)
   Waltz for a Lover (or Country Waltz)

Quando carica d'anni e di castità
tra i ricordi e le illusioni
del bel tempo che non ritornerà,
troverai le mie canzoni,

nel sentirle ti meraviglierai
che qualcuno abbia lodato
le bellezze che allor più non avrai
e che avesti nel tempo passato

ma non ti servirà il ricordo,
non ti servirà
che per piangere il tuo rifiuto
del mio amore che non tornerà.

Ma non ti servirà più a niente,
non ti servirà
che per piangere sui tuoi occhi
che nessuno più canterà.

Ma non ti servirà più a niente,
non ti servirà
che per piangere sui tuoi occhi
che nessuno più canterà.

Vola il tempo lo sai che vola e va,
forse non ce ne accorgiamo
ma più ancora del tempo che non ha età,
siamo noi che ce ne andiamo

e per questo ti dico amore, amor
io t'attenderò ogni sera,
ma tu vieni non aspettare ancor,
vieni adesso finché è primavera.

Valzer per un amore © 1964 Fabrizio De André/Gino Marinuzzi

"Valzer per un amore" was the B side of the sixth 45 released by Karim, in 1964. The music is that of "Valzer campestre" from the Sicilian Suite (1909) by Gino Marinuzzi. De André wanted to set lyrics to this piece of music when he learned that he had been born at home while this song was playing on the record player. He contacted the composer's son and was happily given permission to use the music. De André's lyric approach was influenced by a 16th century French poem, one of Pierre de Ronsard's Sonnets pour Hélène:

Quand vous serez bien vieille, au soir, à la chandelle,
Assise auprès du feu, dévidant et filant,
Direz, chantant mes vers, en vous émerveillant:
Ronsard me célébrait du temps que j’étais belle.

When you are very old, in the evening, by candlelight,
Sitting by the fire, winding and spinning,
You will say, singing my verses, marveling:
Ronsard celebrated me in the time when I was beautiful.



When laden with years and with chastity,
among the memories and illusions
of the good times that won’t return,
you will find my songs.

In hearing them you’ll marvel
that someone praised
the beauties that you’ll then no longer have
and that you had in times past.

But it won’t do you any good, the memory,
it won’t do you any good
save for lamenting your refusal
of my love that won’t return.

But it won't do you any more good at all,
it won't do you any good
save for grieving over your eyes
that no one will sing of any more.

But it won’t do you any more good at all,
it won't do you any good
save for grieving over your eyes
that no one will sing of any more.

Time flies, you know that it flies and it goes.
Maybe we don’t notice it,
but even more so than time, that has no age,
'tis we who are going away.

And for this I say to you love, love,
I’ll wait for you every evening.
But come, don’t you keep waiting,
come now while it’s springtime.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser


Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles released between 1961 and 1966.
Back to Album List         Back to Song List

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   Per i tuoi larghi occhi - For Your Big Eyes

Per i tuoi larghi occhi,
per i tuoi larghi occhi chiari
che non piangono mai,
che non piangono mai.

E perché non mi hai dato
che un addio tanto breve,
perché dietro a quegli occhi
batte un cuore di neve.

Io ti dico che mai
il ricordo che in me lascerai
sarà stretto al mio cuore
da un motivo d'amore.

Non pensarlo perché
tutto quel che ricordo di te,
di quegli attimi amari,
sono i tuoi occhi chiari.

I tuoi larghi occhi
che restavan lontani
anche quando io sognavo,
anche mentre ti amavo.

E se tu tornerai
t'amerò come sempre ti amai,
come un bel sogno inutile
che si scorda al mattino.

Ma i tuoi larghi occhi,
i tuoi larghi occhi chiari
anche se non verrai
non li scorderò mai.

Per i tuoi larghi occhi © 1965 Fabrizio De Andrè

"Per i tuoi occhi" was released in 1965 by Karim. As does "La ballata dell'amore cieco" the following year, this song bears the influence of Baudelaire and the femme fatale.



For your big eyes
For your big bright eyes
That don’t ever cry
That don’t ever cry

And why didn’t you give me
But such a brief farewell?
Because behind those eyes
Beats a heart of ice.

I tell you that never
Will the memory you’ll leave me with
Be close to my heart
By reason of love.

I don’t think so because
Everything that I remember of you,
Of those bitter moments,
Are your bright eyes.

Your big eyes
That remained distant
Even when I was dreaming,
Even while I was loving you.

And if you return
I will love you as I always loved you,
Like a beautiful useless dream
That one forgets in the morning.

But your two big eyes,
Your two big bright eyes
Even if you don’t come
I won’t forget them ever.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser



Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De Andrè singles released between 1961 and 1966.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   Carlo Martello ritorna dalla battaglia di Poitiers
   Charles Martel Returns from the Battle of Poitiers

Re Carlo tornava dalla guerra
lo accoglie la sua terra
cingendolo d'allor

al sol della calda primavera
lampeggia l'armatura
del sire vincitor

il sangue del principe del Moro
arrossano il cimiero
d'identico color

ma più che del corpo le ferite
da Carlo son sentite
le bramosie d'amor

"se ansia di gloria e sete d'onore
spegne la guerra al vincitore
non ti concede un momento per fare all'amore

chi poi impone alla sposa soave
di castità la cintura ahimè è grave
in battaglia può correre il rischio di perder la chiave"

così si lamenta il Re cristiano
s'inchina intorno il grano
gli son corona i fior

lo specchio di chiara fontanella
riflette fiero in sella
dei Mori il vincitor

Quand'ecco nell'acqua si compone
mirabile visione
il simbolo d'amor

nel folto di lunghe trecce bionde
il seno si confonde
ignudo in pieno sol

"Mai non fu vista cosa più bella
mai io non colsi siffatta pulzella"
disse Re Carlo scendendo veloce di sella

"De' cavaliere non v'accostate
già d'altri è gaudio quel che cercate
ad altra più facile fonte la sete calmate"

Sorpreso da un dire sì deciso
sentendosi deriso
Re Carlo s'arrestò

ma più dell'onor poté il digiuno
fremente l'elmo bruno
il sire si levò

codesta era l'arma sua segreta
da Carlo spesso usata
in gran difficoltà

alla donna apparve un gran nasone
e un volto da caprone
ma era sua maestà

"Se voi non foste il mio sovrano"
Carlo si sfila il pesante spadone
"non celerei il disio di fuggirvi lontano,

ma poiché siete il mio signore"
Carlo si toglie l'intero gabbione
"debbo concedermi spoglia ad ogni pudore"

Cavaliere egli era assai valente
ed anche in quel frangente
d'onor si ricoprì

e giunto alla fin della tenzone
incerto sull'arcione
tentò di risalir

veloce lo arpiona la pulzella
repente una parcella
presenta al suo signor

"Beh proprio perché voi siete il sire
fan cinquemila lire
è un prezzo di favor"

"E' mai possibile o porco di un cane
che le avventure in codesto reame
debban risolversi tutte con grandi puttane,

anche sul prezzo c'è poi da ridire
ben mi ricordo che pria di partire
v'eran tariffe inferiori alle tremila lire"

Ciò detto agì da gran cialtrone
con balzo da leone
in sella si lanciò

frustando il cavallo come un ciuco
fra i glicini e il sambuco
il Re si dileguò

Re Carlo tornava dalla guerra
lo accoglie la sua terra
cingendolo d'allor

al sol della calda primavera
lampeggia l'armatura
del sire vincitor

Carlo Martello ritorna dalla battaglia di Poitiers © 1963 Fabrizio De André/Paolo Villagio

This song was released in 1963 as the B side of a 45 with "Il fannullone" as the A-side. The text was written by a friend from childhood, Paolo Villagio, and the music is by De André. The Battle of Poitiers occurred in 732, a battle between the Franks and the Moors in what is now northern France. The song is in the style of popular French pastourelles sung by medieval troubadours about encounters between knights and country girls. In 1965 a complaint was brought against De André and his label Karim for obscene content in the lyrics. The case was settled in De André's favor in 1968. The Italian in this song is an old style, and Riccardo Venturi has done a nice translation into a similarly "olde" style of English.



King Charles was returning from the war.
His land welcomes him,
crowning him with a laurel.

In the hot spring sun
flashes the suit of armor
of the victorious Sire.

The blood of the prince and the Moor
redden the crest,
of identical color.

But more than the wounds of the body,
Charles felt
the yearning for love.

“If eagerness for glory and a thirst for honor
extinguish war for the victor,
it allows you not a moment to pursue love.

"One, then, who imposes on the gentle wife
the chastity belt - alas it is heavy -
in battle can run the risk of losing the key.”

Thus complains the Christian king.
The grain bows down and
flowers gather about.

The mirror of the clear fountain
reflects, proud in his saddle,
the victor of the Moors.

When here in the water is formed,
marvelous vision,
the symbol of love -

in the fullness of the long blond braids
the breast intermingles,
naked in broad daylight.

“Never was seen something more beautiful,
never did I catch such a maid,”
said King Charles, dismounting quickly from his saddle.

“But oh, Knight, come no closer,
that which you seek is already the joy of another.
Quench your thirst from some easier spring.”

Surprised by a response so sharp,
feeling put down,
King Charles stopped.

But greater than honor was the power of abstinence.
Trembling, his brown helm
the King lifted off.

This was the secret weapon
by Charles often used
in dire straights -

to the woman appeared a big nose
and the face of a goat,
but it was her majesty.

“If you were not my sovereign,” -
Charles takes off his heavy sword -
“I wouldn’t conceal the desire to run far away."

"But since you are my Lord,” -
Charles frees himself from the prison of his armor -
“I must give myself over bare to every shame.”

He was indeed a valiant knight,
and even at that juncture
was covered again with honor.

And, conjoined at the end of the duel,
uncertain, the saddle
he tried to remount.

Quickly the maiden harpooned him.
Suddenly a bill
she presents to her Lord.

“Ah, just because you are my Lord,
it’s five thousand lira,
a special price.”

“It’s ever possible, son of a bitch,
that the adventures in this realm
should all end up with big whores.

"Even the price, then, can be criticized.
I remember well that before I left
there were lower prices of three thousand lira.”

Thus spoken, he acted like a scoundrel -
with the leap of a lion
he mounted his steed.

Whipping the horse as if it were a donkey,
through the wisteria and elderberries
the king disappeared.

King Charles returned from the war.
His land welcomes him,
crowning him with a laurel.

In the hot spring sun
flashes the suit of armor
of the victorious Sire.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser


Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André’s singles from 1961-1965.
Back to Album List         Back to Song List

Monday, November 4, 2013

Nuvole barroche:
   Il fannullone - The Slouch

-Senza pretesa di voler strafare
io dormo al giorno quattordici ore
anche per questo nel mio rione
godo la fama di fannullone
ma non si sdegni la brava gente
se nella vita non riesco a far niente.-

Tu vaghi per le strade quasi tutta la notte
sognando mille favole di gloria e di vendette
racconti le tue storie a pochi uomini ormai stanchi
che ridono fissandoti con vuoti sguardi bianchi
tu reciti una parte fastidiosa alla gente
facendo della vita una commedia divertente.

-Ho anche provato a lavorare
senza risparmio mi diedi da fare
ma il sol risultato dell'esperimento
fu della fame un tragico aumento
non si risenta la gente per bene
se non mi adatto a portar le catene.-

Ti diedero lavoro in un grande ristorante
a lavare gli avanzi della gente elegante
ma tu dicevi -il cielo è la mia unica fortuna
e l'acqua dei piatti non rispecchia la luna-
tornasti a cantar storie lungo strade di notte
sfidando il buon umore delle tue scarpe rotte.

-Non sono poi quel cagnaccio malvagio
senza morale straccione e randagio
che si accontenta di un osso bucato
con affettuoso disprezzo gettato
al fannullone sa battere il cuore
il cane randagio ha trovato il suo amore.-

Pensasti al matrimonio come al giro di una danza
amasti la tua donna come un giorno di vacanza
hai preso la tua casa per rifugio alla tua fiacca
per un attaccapanni a cui appendere la giacca
e la tua dolce sposa consolò la sua tristezza
cercando tra la gente
chi le offrisse tenerezza.

È andata via senza fare rumore
forse cantando una storia d'amore
la raccontava ad un mondo ormai stanco
che camminava distratto al suo fianco
lei tornerà in una notte d'estate
l'applaudiranno le stelle incantate

rischiareranno dall'alto i lampioni
la strana danza di due fannulloni
la luna avrà dell'argento il colore
sopra la schiena dei gatti in amore.

Il fannulone © 1963 Fabrizio De André/Paolo Villagio

"Il fannulone" was the A-side of De André's third single on Karim, released in 1963. It was co-written with Paolo Villaggio, a childhood friend. There are several strains in this early song that will surface regularly in later songs: going against the grain of mainstream society, a sense of irony towards so-called respectable folk ("la gente per bene"), and an irreverent and playful attitude. The song no doubt sprang from the anti-conformist lifestyles of the two young authors. Riccardo Venturi called this song "deliciously revolutionary and subversive" and described it as a "hymn to doing nothing," where to do nothing is to live life truly, not allowing a dehumanized corporate complex to take it away from you.



Genoa at night - "The moon will be silver in color
over the backs of the cats in love."
"With no pretense of wanting to overdo it,
I sleep fourteen hours a day.
Also for this reason, in my district
I enjoy the reputation of a slouch.
But don't scorn the good people
if I don’t manage to do anything in life."

You roam the streets almost all night long,
dreaming a thousand tales of glory and revenge.
You recount your stories to a few men now tired,
who laugh, fixing you with blank, empty stares.
You play an annoying role for people,
making of life an amusing comedy.

"I even tried to work,
with all my might I tried hard,
but the only result of the experiment
was a tragic increase in hunger.
Respectable people aren’t offended
if I’m not well-suited for carrying the chains."

They gave you work in a big restaurant
washing the scraps of the elegant people.
But you said, "The sky is my only good fortune
and dishwater doesn't reflect the moon."
You returned to sing stories along nighttime streets,
defying the good humor of your worn-out shoes.

"I'm not, then, that malicious cur
without morals, tramp and vagabond
who contents himself with a pierced bone
discarded with affectionate scorn.
For the slouch, the heart knows how to beat,
the stray dog has found its love."

You thought of marriage as a turn at a dance,
you loved your woman like a day on vacation.
You took your house as a refuge for your sluggishness,
as a rack on which to hang your jacket,
and your sweet spouse consoled her sadness
searching among people for
anyone that might offer her tenderness.

She went away without making a sound,
perhaps singing a story of love.
She recounted it for a world tired by then,
one that walked inattentive at her side.
She'll return on a summer night,
they will applaud her, the enchanted stars.

From up high the streetlamps will illuminate
the strange dance of two slouches.
The moon will be silver in color
over the backs of the cats in love.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser



Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles on the Karim label from 1961-1966.
Back to Album List         Back to Song List

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   Geordie

Mentre attraversavo London Bridge
un giorno senza sole
vidi una donna pianger d'amore,
piangeva per il suo Geordie.

Impiccheranno Geordie con una corda d'oro,
è un privilegio raro.
Rubò sei cervi nel parco del re
vendendoli per denaro.

Sellate il suo cavallo dalla bianca criniera
sellatele il suo pony
cavalcherà fino a Londra stasera
ad implorare per Geordie

Geordie non rubò mai neppure per me
un frutto o un fiore raro.
Rubò sei cervi nel parco del re
vendendoli per denaro.

Salvate le sue labbra, salvate il suo sorriso,
non ha vent'anni ancora
cadrà l'inverno anche sopra il suo viso,
potrete impiccarlo allora

Nè il cuore degli inglesi nè lo scettro del re
Geordie potran salvare,
anche se piangeranno con te
la legge non può cambiare.

Così lo impiccheranno con una corda d'oro,
è un privilegio raro.
Rubò sei cervi nel parco del re
vendendoli per denaro.
Rubò sei cervi nel parco del re
vendendoli per denaro.

Geordie © 1966 Fabrizio De André, arrangement of a traditional English/Scottish ballad.

"Geordie" was the last of the Karim singles, released in 1966. The song is a translation of a broadside ballad dating back to 17th century England and 16th century Scotland, popularized by Joan Baez in the early 1960s. During the first years of Baez's career, she regularly performed six Child Ballads, of which "Geordie" was one. De André's version met with some modest success, and became a regular part of his live shows in his later career, sung with his daughter Luvi. On the record, the female singer is Maureen Rix, an English teacher from one of the scholastic institutes of De André's father.


Live duet with Maureen Rix (not Joan Baez), 1966





Geordie – as done by Joan Baez, 1962

As I walked out over London bridge
One misty morning early,
I overheard a fair pretty maid
Was lamenting for her Geordie.

My Geordie will be hanged in a golden chain,
'Tis not the chain of many
He was born of king's royal breed
And lost to a virtuous lady.

Go bridle me my milk white steed,
Go bridle me my pony,
I will ride to London court
To plead for the life of my Geordie.

Ah, my Geordie never stole nor cow nor calf,
He never hurted any,
Stole sixteen of the king's royal deer,
And he sold them in Bohenny.

Two pretty babies have I born,
The third lies in my body,
I'd freely part with them every one
If you'd spare the life of Geordie.

The judge looked over his left shoulder,
He said fair maid I'm sorry
He said fair maid you must be gone
For I cannot pardon Geordie.

My Geordie will be hanged in a golden chain,
'Tis not the chain of many,
Stole sixteen of the king's royal deer
And he sold them in Bohenny.
Stole sixteen of the king's royal deer
And he sold them in Bohenny.
While I was crossing London Bridge
one sunless day,
I saw a woman weeping for love.
She was lamenting for her Geordie.

They will hang Geordie with a golden cord -
it's a rare privilege.
He stole six deer in the King's park,
selling them for some cash.

Saddle up her white-maned horse,
saddle up her pony,
she'll ride on down to London tonight
to plead for Geordie.

Geordie never stole anything for me,
a fruit or a rare flower.
He stole six deer from the King's park,
selling them for some cash.

Save his lips, save his smile,
he's not yet 20 years old.
Winter will fall over his face, too,
you can hang him then.

Neither the heart of the English nor the King's scepter
can save Geordie.
Even if they might cry with you,
the law cannot change.

Thus they will hang him with a golden cord -
it's a rare privilege.
He stole six deer in the King's park,
selling them for some cash.
He stole six deer in the King's park,
selling them for some cash.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser



Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles on the Karim label from 1961-1966.



Geordie – as done by Fabrizio De André, 1998

While I was crossing London Bridge
one sunless day,
I saw a woman weeping for love.
She was lamenting for her Geordie.

They will hang Geordie with a golden cord.
It's a rare privilege.
He stole six deer in the King's park,
selling them for some cash.

Saddle up her white-maned horse,
saddle up her pony,
she'll ride on down to London tonight
to plead for Geordie.

Geordie never stole anything for me,
a fruit or a rare flower.
He stole six deer from the King's park,
selling them for some cash.

Save his lips, save his smile,
he's not yet 20 years old.
Winter will fall over his face, too.
You can hang him then.

Neither the heart of the English nor the King's scepter
can save Geordie.
Even if they might cry with you,
the law cannot change.

Thus they will hang him with a golden cord.
It's a rare privilege.
He stole six deer in the King's park,
selling them for some cash.
He stole six deer in the King's park,
selling them for some cash.
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Saturday, November 2, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   Amore che vieni, amore che vai -
   You, Love, Who Comes and Who Goes

Quei giorni perduti a rincorrere il vento
a chiederci un bacio e volerne altri cento
un giorno qualunque li ricorderai
amore che fuggi da me tornerai
un giorno qualunque li ricorderai
amore che fuggi da me tornerai

E tu che con gli occhi di un altro colore
mi dici le stesse parole d'amore
fra un mese fra un anno scordate le avrai
amore che vieni da me fuggirai
tra un mese tra un anno scordate le avrai
amore che vieni da me fuggirai

Venuto dal sole o da spiagge gelate
perduto in novembre o col vento d'estate
io t'ho amato sempre non t'ho amato mai
amore che vieni amore che vai
io t'ho amato sempre non t'ho amato mai
amore che vieni amore che vai

Amore che vieni, amore che vai © 1966 Fabrizio De André

"Amore che vieni, amore che vai" was the last song written by De André for the Karim label, and it was released in 1966 as side B to "Geordie." It treats a theme that appears regularly in De André's work, the mutability of love. The song is also featured in a 2008 movie of the same name, based on the novel Un destino ridicolo co-written by De André and Alessandro Gennari in 1996.



Those days long past of chasing the wind,
of asking each other for a kiss and wanting a hundred more,
one of these days you’ll remember them.
You, love who runs away, will come back to me.
One of these days you'll remember them.
You, love that flees, to me will return.

And you who with eyes of a different color
tell me the very same words of love,
in a month, in a year, you’ll have forgotten them.
Love who comes to me, from me you will flee.
In a month, in a year, you’ll have forgotten them.
Love who comes to me, from me you will flee.

Hailing from sunshine or from cold, cold shores,
lost in November or with a summer breeze,
I loved you always, I never loved you,
you, love, who comes and who goes.
I loved you always, I never loved you,
you, love, who comes, you, love, who goes.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser



Nuvole barroche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles on the Karim label from 1961-1966.
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Friday, November 1, 2013

Nuvole barocche:
   La canzone dell'amore perduto
   The Song of Love Lost

Ricordi, sbocciavan le viole
con le nostre parole
“Non ci lasceremo mai, mai
e poi mai”

Vorrei dirti ora le stesse cose
ma come fan presto, amore
ad appassire le rose
così per noi.

L'amore che strappa i capelli
è perduto ormai,
non resta che qualche svogliata carezza
e un po' di tenerezza.

E quando ti troverai in mano
quei fiori appassiti al sole
di un aprile ormai lontano,
li rimpiangerai.

Ma sarà la prima
che incontri per strada, che tu
coprirai d'oro per un bacio mai dato,
per un amore nuovo.

E sarà la prima
che incontri per strada, che tu
coprirai d'oro per un bacio mai dato,
per un amore nuovo.

La canzone dell'amore perduto © 1966 Fabrizio De André

"La canzone dell'amore perduto" was written when things were no longer going well between De André and his first wife "Puny" Rignon, though they continued to live together for a while. It's interesting that De André wrote this break-up song from the woman's point of view. The song was extremely popular and was covered by many other Italian artists. The music is from Georg Philipp Telemann (Adagio from "Concerto in D Major for trumpet, strings and basso continuo").


Remember? The violets used to bloom
along with our words -
“We’ll never, ever leave each other,
never.”

I’d like to say the same things to you now,
but how quickly, love,
the roses fade,
just like the two of us.

The love that drove us to our wits’ ends
is now lost,
nothing remains but some limp caresses
and a tiny bit of tenderness.

And when you find yourself
with those wilted flowers in hand,
withered in the sun of a now-distant April,
you’ll be filled with regret.

But there will be that first woman
you meet out on the street whom you’ll
cover in gold, for a kiss never given,
for a new love.

And there will be that first one
that you meet on the streets whom you’ll
cover in gold, for a kiss never given,
for a new love.

English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser


Nuvole barocche, released in 1969, is a collection of De André singles on the Karim label from 1961-1966.
Back to Album List         Back to Song List