Volume 8: Nancy (Leonard Cohen)

Un po' di tempo fa Nancy era senza compagnia all'ultimo spettacolo con la sua bigiotteria. Nel palazzo di giustizia suo padre era innocente nel palazzo del mistero Non c'era proprio niente non c'era quasi niente. Un po' di tempo fa eravamo distratti lei portava calze Verdi Dormiva con tutti. Ma cosa fai domani Non lo chiese mai a nessuno s'innamorò di tutti noi non proprio di qualcuno non solo di qualcuno. E un po' di tempo fa col telefono rotto cercò dal terzo piano la sua serenità. Dicevamo che era libera e nessuno era sincero non l'avremmo corteggiata mai nel palazzo del mistero nel palazzo del mistero. E dove mandi i tuoi pensieri adesso trovi Nancy a fermarli molti hanno usato il suo corpo molti hanno pettinato i suoi capelli. E nel vuoto della notte quando hai freddo e sei perduto È ancora Nancy che ti dice – Amore sono contenta che sei venuto. Sono contenta che sei venuto. Text of Nancy © 1975 Fabrizio De André translation of Seems So Long Ago, Nancy © 1969 Leonard Cohen Cohen wrote "Seems So Long Ago, Nancy" based on a young girl who committed suicide when she was forced to give her baby, born out of wedlock, up for adoption. She came from an important family that included members of Parliament and a Supreme Court judge, so the social and family pressures on her were intense. Seems So Long Ago, Nancy – Leonard Cohen It seems so long ago, Nancy was alone, Looking at the late late show Through a semi-precious stone. In the house of honesty Her father was on trial, In the house of mystery There was no one at all, There was no one at all. It seems so long ago, None of us were strong; Nancy wore green stockings And she slept with everyone. She never said she'd wait for us Although she was alone, I think she fell in love for us In nineteen sixty one, In nineteen sixty one. It seems so long ago, Nancy was alone, A forty five beside her head, An open telephone. We told her she was beautiful, We told her she was free But none of us would meet her in The house of mystery, The house of mystery. And now you look around you, See her everywhere, Many use her body, Many comb her hair. In the hollow of the night When you are cold and numb You hear her talking freely then, She's happy that you've come, She's happy that you've come.

A little while ago Nancy was without company, at the last show with her costume jewelry. In the palace of justice her father was innocent, in the palace of mystery there was no one at all, there was almost no one. A little while ago we were distracted, she wore green stockings and she slept with everyone. But what will you do tomorrow? She never asked anyone, she fell in love with all of us, not just with someone, not only with someone. And a little while ago with a broken telephone she searched from the fourth floor for her serenity. We used to say she was free and no one was sincere. We never courted her in the palace of mystery, in the palace of mystery. And where do you send your thoughts now? You go see Nancy to stop them many have used her body, many have combed her hair. And in the emptiness of the night when you are cold and lost it is still Nancy who tells you, “Love, I’m happy you’ve come.” “I’m happy that you have come.” English translation © 2014 Dennis Criteser Volume 8, released in 1975, was largely the fruit of three months of hanging out and writing with Francesco De Gregori at De André's Sardinia home, after De André had traveled to Rome to hear the young songwriter perform live. De André was inspired by the possibilities and extended an invitation to De Gregori to visit. Five of the songs have De Gregori's mark on them, and there are two new De André songs and another Leonard Cohen cover. Critics weren't too kind to this album, thinking it was too influenced by De Gregori and rather obscure in some of the lyrics. If you like De André, though, you will find plenty to like here, critics be damned! Nancy - Fabrizio De André A while ago Nancy was without company At the last show With her costume jewelry In the palace of justice Her father was innocent In the palace of mystery There was no one at all There was almost no one. A while ago We were distracted She wore green stockings And she slept with everyone. But what do you do tomorrow She never asked anyone She fell in love with all of us Not just with someone Not only with someone. And a while ago With a broken telephone She searched from the fourth floor For her serenity. They used to say she was free And no one was sincere We never courted her In the palace of mystery In the palace of mystery. And where do you send your thoughts now You visit Nancy to stop them Many have used her body Many have combed her hair. And in the emptiness of the night When you are cold and lost It is still Nancy who tells you “Love, I’m happy you’ve come.” “I’m happy that you have come.”

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