Italian is my second favorite language to sing in! Latin is my fav. I have also found a couple of those "Community" songbooks, which are a remarkable source of songs of the later emigrants who came over to the states. I do appreciate the popularity of, and interest in Italian songs & Opera generated by great singers like Pavarotti & the other two tenors, of course, and Andrea Bocelli. They have recorded some of the popular old Italian songs. One of my favs is Mattinata, which Dean Martin recorded & please forgive, I can't remember the name of the then young man who recorded it in the 60's.

Mattinata by Ruggiero Leoncavallo (1859-1915)

L'arrora di bianco vestita,
gia l'uscio dischiude-al granso!
Di gia con le rose-e sue dita
Carezza de fiori lo stuol!
Commosso da-un fremi to-arcano
Intorno-il creato gia par
E tu non ti desti,
ed invano mist qui dolente-a cantar.
Meti-anche, tu la veste bianca
eschiudi l'uscio al tuo can tor!
Ove non sei la luce manca,
Ove tu sei nasce l'amor!
Metti-anche tu la veste bianca
eschiudi l'uscio al tuo cantor!
Oveno sei la lu ce manca
Ove tu sei masce l'amor!

English version by Lorraine Noel Finley

The dawn in her mantle of whiteness
Has turned shining eyes to the sun
While roses, reflecting her brightness,
Announce that the day has begun.
A light, secret rustle is creeping
Through Nature whose long night has flown
But you through this beauty are sleeping,
And vainly I sing here alone.
Wake with the dawn
Radiant in gladness.
Open the portal; I sing for you.
When you are absent,
Light fades in sadness;
When you are near me,
Love’s dream comes true.
Wake with the dawn, radiant in gladness.
Open the portal;
I sing for you.
When you are absent,
Light fades in sadness;
When you are near me, love's dream domes true.