Here is my attempt at providing the lyrics for Lou Monte's 'Pasquale, The Italian Pussycat' considered by some to be the sequel song to 'Peppino, The Italian Mouse': Peppin c'u Pasquale chell t(i)en na cap fresc(a) M' strazzn i gazzett e jettn' i scarp da finestr A sera in da cucin chell fann nu banchett Nun fann cerimonie mang lass' na pulpett Peppin u suricill ma pecche' nun te ne vajh? E pporta ta Pasqual(e) chell' e' propr n'atu guajh A ssera 'ngoppo lijtt voj durmit da bell da bell E iu senz'a cupert agja' durmi abbasciu sell Peppin a du sta u baccala'? Peppin u sulicill sa mbarat u mandulin Pasqual u gatterill chell(e) sohn u violin A sser' quann e' tard chell(e) fann a serenad M' par(e) due cumpar Cric e Croc e Mangiafran! _______________ Peppino and Pasquale are refreshed They tear up my socks and throw my shoes out the window At night they have a banquet in the kitchen They don't stand on ceremony - they left a meatball Peppino the Mouse - why don't you go away!? And bring Pasquale with you - he's just turned out to be another woe At night you (guys) are sleeping soundly in bed And I'm already down here in the basement sleeping without a blanket Peppino the Mouse is learning how to play the mandolin Pasquale the Cat is playing the violin At night when it's late they play a serenade They seem like two buddies to me: Cric and Croc and Mangiafran! __________________ Notes: Tien na cap fresc= tengono il capo fresco= they have 'fresh heads' (and are ready to make trouble for Lou!) Cazett=calzette=socks Jettn=gettano=they throw Chell' e propr n'atu guajh=quello(Pasquale) e' proprio un altro guaio=that one(Pasquale) is just another woe or trouble 'Ngoppo lijtt=sul letto=on the bed Abbasciu sell=abbasso= down below; however more likely it is the combination of basement and cellar (basciament(u) e sello) - an Italian-Americanism Cric e Croc e Mangiafran=Calabrian equivalent 'The Three Stooges'. Mangiafran means 'straw-eater'. I grew up Marchegian with 'Crichetti, Crocchetti, e Tarababassi' which appear to be similar characters. I look forward to your comments and hope this e-mail thread helps you to understand and sing along with Lou Monte. Tom
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