CLICK TO LISTEN The quality of the sound is not outstanding, but please consider that it comes from an original 78rpm remastered on CD with no retouch. Moreover, the chorus' beauty is - itself - bound to 'pianissimo' and 'fortissimo', and this is very difficult to reproduce with the compressed dynamic (to reduce the file size) used on the web.
Format=Real Audio 3.0, 28.8 Mono, full response * Time=1:51 * Size=222kb
(available on line for a few days only - sorry)
The Alpini of the 1914/18 Word War adopted this very old song (XVI century) retaining the deep and human poetry of the dying captain. The music is grand and touching.
In my opinion, one of the most beautiful song, for ever.
Performer: CORO SAT, Trento, Italy
Historical Recording, circa 1935
IL TESTAMENTO DEL CAPITANO
(Alpini's song) El capitan de la compagnia
E l'e' ferito, sta per morir
El manda a dire ai suoi Alpini
Perche' lo vengano a ritrovar
I suoi Alpini ghe manda a dire
Che non han scarpe per camminar
«O con le scarpe o senza scarpe
I miei Alpini li voglio qui'»
Cosa comanda sior capitano
Che noi adesso semo arriva'?
«E io comando che il mio corpo
In cinque pezzi sia da taglia'
Il primo pezzo al Re d'Italia
Il secondo pezzo al Battaglion
Il terzo pezzo alla mia Mamma
Che si ricordi del suo figliol
Il quarto pezzo alla mia Bella
Che si ricordi del suo primo amore
L'ultimo pezzo alle Montagne
Che lo fioriscano di rose e fior»
TRANSLATION
CAPTAIN'S WILL
The captain of the party
Is wound and he's dying
He says to tell to his Alpini
To come to see him
The Alpini say to tell him
that they have no shoes to walk
«With shoes or barefoot
My Alpini I want my Alpini here»
We are here beside you
What are your orders captain
«I order that my body
Has to be cut in five pieces
First piece for the King of Italy
Second piece for the Battalion
Third piece to my Mother
so she will remeber of his son
Fourth piece for my girlfriend
so she will remember of her first love
Last piece to the mountains
that will cover it with roses and flowers».
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submitted by: e.b.
sj