Mamma mia dammi cento lire

Oh mother my mother give me one hundred liras

Mamma mia dammi cento lire

'Oh mother my mother give me one hundred liras

che in America voglio andar

as I want to go to America'

Cento lire te le do

'Yes I'll give you one hundred liras

Ma in America non andar

But you haven't to go to America'

E la sorella che si pettinava

And the sister who was combing her hair:

Mamma mamma lasciala andar

'Oh mother mother let her go'

E il fratello alla finestra

And the brother at the window:

Mamma mamma lasciala andar

'Oh mother mother let her go'

E quando fu in mezzo al mare

And when the ship was off shore

Il bastimento s'inaffondo'

It sunk

O pescatore tu che peschi l'onda

You fisherman who are fishing among the waves

Peschi pure la mia bionda

Please catch my blonde

E se la pesco se non la pesco

And if I catch her or not

La balena se la mangio'

The whale swallowed her

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One of the many versions of this song. This should be a version from the very Southern Italy (Calabria). This song was very popular in Italy during the period of emigration to America (first years of the XX century). It is still well known here.
Please note that, at that time, the ship fare was about 100 lire! Today you need 1500 liras to buy a subway ticket!

Ezio from Italy