Subject: Lyr Add: LA LOCOMOTIVA / THE LOCOMOTIVE From: Ezio, Italy Date: 23 Dec 97 - 09:37 AM THE LOCOMOTIVE (by Francesco Guccini) Probably this cannot be considered a "folk" song in the proper sense of the term; nevertheless is a poetic song about ideas of some folks at the beginning of the century. I've heard this song sung by the author, Francesco Guccini. Recently this song has been recorded also by "Modena City Ramblers", an Italian folk/rock group influenced by Irish music. Like other folk song, this one has a strong historical and political contents, sorry if you don't agree with it. ---------- My translation is awful (although it took me a lot of time). It's a task too hard for my English! I hope at least that the sense is clear. Also I'll be grateful if someone could post a better translation. (Personal message for my friend Wolfgang: read this lyric, probably you will like it!). Ezio, Italy LA LOCOMOTIVA - THE LOCOMOTIVE (Words and music by Francesco Guccini) Non so che viso avesse, neppure come si chiamava - I do not know his face or his name Con che voce parlasse, con quale voce poi cantava - I do not know his voice when he was speaking or singing Quanti anni avesse visto allora - I do not know his age at that time Di che color i suoi capelli - Or the color of his hair Ma nella fantasia ho l'immagine sua - But in my fantasy I keep his image Gli eroi son tutti giovani e belli - All the heroes are young and fair Conosco invece all'epoca dei fatti qual'era il suo mestiere - I know instead his job ad the time of these events I primi anni del secolo, macchinista ferroviere - The first years of the century, machinist railroader I tempi in cui si cominciava - The days when it was beginning La guerra santa dei pezzenti - The holy war of the ragamuffins Sembrava il treno anch'esso un mito di progresso - The train was (considered) like a myth of progress Lanciato sopra ai continenti - Thrown over the continents E la locomotiva sembrava fosse un mostro strano - And the locomotive was like a strange monster Che l'uomo dominava con il pensiero e con la mano - That man was dominating by the mind and by the hand Ruggendo si lasciava indietro - (The locomotive) roaring was leaving behind Distanze che sembravano infinite - Distances which seemed infinite Sembrava avesse dentro un potere tremendo - It seemed she had inside a terrible power La stessa forza della dinamite - The same force of the dynamite Ma un'altra grande forza spiegava allora le sue ali - But another great force was unfolding its wings at that time Parole che dicevano "gli uomini sono tutti eguali" - Words saying "all the men are equal" E contro ai re e ai tiranni - And against kings and tyrants Scoppiava nella via - Was bursting in the roads La bomba proletaria, e illuminava l'aria - The proletarian bomb, and it was lighting the air La fiaccola dell'anarchia - The torch of anarchy Un treno tutti i giorni passava per la sua stazione - Every day a train used to pass through his station Un treno di lusso, lontana destinazione - A luxury train, far destination Vedeva gente riverita - He saw revered people Pensava a quei velluti e agli ori - He was thinking of velvets and gold Pensava al magro giorno della sua gente attorno - He was thinking of the poor day of the people around Pensava ad un treno pieno di signori - He was thinking of a train filled with rich people Non so che cosa accadde, perche' prese la decisione - I do not know what happened, why he took a decision Forse una rabbia antica, generazioni senza nome - Perhaps an ancient rage and nameless generation Che urlarono vendetta - Who cried out for vengeance Gli accecarono il cuore - Made his heart blind Dimentico' pietà, scordo' la sua bonta' - He forgot the pity, he forgot his goodness La bomba sua la macchina a vapore - His bomb was the steam machine E un giorno come gli altri, ma forse con piu' rabbia in corpo - And a day like other, only with more rage inside, Penso' che aveva il modo di riparare a qualche torto - He thought he had the chance to punish some wrongs Sali' sul mostro che dormiva - He got on the sleeping monster Cerco' di mandar via la sua paura - He tried to drive away his fear E prima di pensare a quel che stava a fare - And before thinking of what he was going to do Il mostro divorava la pianura - The monster ran along the plain Correva l'altro treno, ignaro e quasi senza fretta - The other train was running unaware and almost with no haste Nessuno immaginava di andare verso la vendetta - No one could imagine going towards revenge Ma alla stazione di Bologna - But in Bologna's station Arrivo' la notizia in un baleno - The news came quickly "Notizia d'emergenza, agite con urgenza - "Emergency - hurry up Un pazzo si è lanciato contro il treno" - A fool is running toward the train" Ma intanto corre corre la locomotiva - Meanwhile the locomotive runs E sibila il vapore e sembra quasi cosa viva - And the steam whistles as something live. E sembra dire ai contadini curvi - (The whistle) seems to say to the peasants bent (at work) Il fischio che si spande in aria - The whistle that's filling the air "Fratello non temere, che corro al mio dovere - "Brother don't fear, I'm rushing to my duty Trionfi la giustizia proletaria" - Shall the proletarian justice triumph E intanto corre corre corre sempre piu' forte - Meanwhile (he) runs faster and faster E corre corre corre verso la morte - And runs, runs, runs toward the death E niente ormai può trattenere - Now nothing can hold anymore L'immensa forza distruttrice - The immense destructive force Aspetta sol lo schianto e poi che giunga il manto - He's waiting only for the crash and then for the blanket Della grande consolatrice - Of the Great Comforter La storia ci racconta come fini' la corsa - The story tells how the run ended La macchina deviata lungo una linea morta - The machine detoured on a dead-railway Con l'ultimo suo grido d'animale - With her last cry, like an animal, La macchina erutto' lapilli e lava - The machine threw out lapilli and lava Esplose contro il cielo, poi il fumo sparse il velo - The she exploded against the sky, the smoke drew the veil Lo raccolsero che ancora respirava - They found him still breathing Ma a noi piace pensarlo ancora dietro al motore - But we like think that he's still behind the engine Mentre fa correr via la macchina a vapore - While the steam-machine runs E che ci giunga un giorno - Can one day come Ancora la notizia - The news Di una locomotiva come una cosa viva - Of a locomotive as something live Lanciata a bomba contro l'ingiustizia - Thrown like a bomb against injustice |
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