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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 file size) used on the web.
Format=Real Audio 3.0, 28.8 Mono * Time=0:49 * Size=98kb
(available on line for a few days only - sorry)
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This song was sung by the italian soldiers during the 1st World War - it is still famous in Italy

Performer: CORO SAT, Trento, Italy
Historical Recording, circa 1935

GRAN DIO DEL CIELO

Traditional

Gran Dio del cielo,
se fossi una rondinella
vorrei volare (x3)
in braccio alla mia bella

Prendi la secchia
e vattene alla fontana
là c'è il tuo amore
che alla fontana aspetta

Prendi il fucile
e vattene alla frontiera;
là c'è il nemico che alla frontiera aspetta

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TRANSLATION
GOOD LORD OF THE HEAVEN

Good Lord of the heaven,
If I was a little swallow
I would fly in my sweet-heart's arms.

Get the bucket
and go to the fountain
there's your love
waiting at the fountain.

Get the rifle
and go to the broderline
there is the enemy
waiting at the borderline.

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submitted by: e.b.