ISCHIA MIA BELLA
 
Songhe nate a stu’ paese ammiezo o mare
ca’ e’ na perla cu’ bellezze e meraviglie,
incanta e furastiere a comme pare
ca tornane ca’ ogni anno cu e famiglie.
 
Chi vene a Ischia nun so’ scorde maie
che accuglienza le fa’ a gente e stu’ paese
turnanne ca’ s’accuntentane assaie
e sti’ trattamiente accussi’ amabile e curtese.
 
Io partiette da stu’ paese mio bello
e ghiette a Merica quann’ero guaglione
pero’ quanne ritorno stonghe rinte e stelle
e nustalgia d’ammore ed affezione.
 
Pure si stamme ca’ pe’ poco tiempe
e po’ partimme pe’ ce’ ne turna’ luntane
rimarrime accussi felice e cuntiente
lasciannele oggi pe’ ce’ turna’ dimane.
 
Pe’ nuie emigranti ca da ca’ simme partute
purtamme stu’ gran fervore cu’ nuie luntane
pe’ San Giovan Giuseppe, e Santa Restituta
e prutetture nuoste ca ce’ portane pa’ mane.
 
Quanne turnamme a Ischia e ringraziamme
ca ce’hanna fatto a vede stu’ paese nata vota
e visitannele cu’ ammore li pregamme
e ce’ fa’ turna’ ca’ per tante ati vote
 
Chi e’ nato a Ischia nun so’ po’ maie scurda’
pecche’ o sanghe nuoste addora d’erve e mare
e a forza ca’ nu jiourne adda’ turna’
pecche’ emigrante e’ na parola amara.
 

di: Antonio De Girolamo

MY BEAUTIFUL ISCHIA

I was born in this town in the middle of the sea
that is a pearl of beauty and wonders
enchants tourists the way it shows
that return here every year with their families.

Who comes to Ischia will never forget
how welcoming are the people of this town
returning here they remain very pleased
from the courteous treatment given to them

I left this beautiful town of mine
and went to America as a youngster
but when I return I’m on cloud nine
of nostalgic love and affection.

Even if we stay here for a short time
and than we leave to return afar
we return home happy and content
leaving it today only to return tomorrow.

For us immigrants than departed from here
we took afar with us this great fervor and love
for Saint John Joseph and Saint Restituta
our protectors that take us by their hand

When we return to Ischia we thank them
for have made us, see Ischia again
visiting them with love we pray
to make us return here many other times

Whoever is born in Ischia will never forget
because our blood smell like seaweed
and for sure we have to return here
because immigrant is very bitter word

 

by: Antonio De Girolamo