Nice coincidence: A few weeks ago our local Friends of the Library store was forced to find a new home when the shopping mall kicked them out in the eternal search for more profitable tenants. Dedicated customers rescued hundreds of unsold books from going into the trash. Among the ones I brought home with me was "The Little World of Don Camillo." I read it years ago, thought I'll probably re-read it.

Joe Offer PM'd me about this thread, due to my having a smattering of Italian. I just took a look at the site, too.

What a beautiful, sad song. Lovely, lovely.

Here's a partial quick translation plus my interpretations. Time permitting, will look up some of the words I don't know -- if time doesn't permit, then this is as good as I can do.... But the story is there. I may have mistranslated some words, for example "biberon" may not be bib (but I think it is, and if not, the idea is there), etc.

CARLOTTA

(verse 1)
When, in the colorless morning,
The wind scours the concentration camp and brings ice to the heart,
Then in the country of the sun [Italy], all light and warmth,
On her little chair, sits Carlottina [dear little Carlotta].

(refrain)

Mamma has announced with extreme seriousness,
Pappa will return -- but, certainly, he will return --
But you need to be good, very good, stay on the balcony
Watching alway there, towards the canton [city? Direction of the camp?]

Seated on the balcony, Carlotta remains
And awaits that Papa', whom she has never seen
And [possessing] in truth visible apprehension,
She sighs, chewing on her little bib.

(bridge)
Who know, who knows how he will be,
This most famous husband of Mamma',
Perhaps he will have a mustache, a beard and a paunch [?],
A pipe and a cane, and spectacles on a little cord.

(spoken) Who knows, who knows this [extremely naughty] Papa'?

I'm going to submit this now & translate the second verse in another post because I don't want the cybernetic gremlins to eat the whole thing as happens sometimes.... :-)