NOT TIRED AT ALL

It’s Christmas already, time flies,
like a fast moving train bearing down on us,    
On the windows and  lighted lamps      
In the rooms of my memory                              
I wore a new face,                                     
dressed in ceremonial clothes                           
and buried the dauntless desire                          
to have you by my side

There’s another woman in the mirror                                  
and her face shows no sign of fear                               
How precious is your absence                                      
on this blissful occasion 
                                                
Daytime waits impatiently in the east, 
it won’t be long now....      
                                                                                                                
Look at                                                                           
the dawn teaching us how to smile                          
almost as though inviting us to be born again     
everything has a beginning, grows old                                                        
changes shape,                                                                      
love will be transformed, the mood of a dream in time         
will be forgotten…                                                                     
                                                                                                      
It’s Christmas already, time flies                                               
Dinner’s ready, don’t let it go cold,              
my father with his fake beard                                                   
and  red hat on his head
                                                          
life comes bursting in impetuously,                                  
with the urgency of perspective                                                
I can already see the look in my son’s eyes                          
and his toys all over the house                                              

and daytime waits impatiently in the east,                               
nighttime lays down its weapons and its darkness......                       

Look at                                                                                       
the dawn teaching us how to smile,                                      
almost  as                                                                                  
though inviting us to be born again,                                          ,
everything has a beginning,                                                                   
grows old,                                                                         
changes shape,                                                                 
and love is transformed,                                                 
even the most atrocious pain 
is subdued
          
Everything has a beginning, 
grows old, changes shape,
and love is transformed,
a flower closing at night           
is regenerated...

One look from him and i fell under his spell,
His manicured fingers moved like a magician's.
His lips in proportion to the pearly-white,
Dazzling perfection of his irresistible smile.

With great expertise, never wasting a word,
I gave in to his charm and persuasion as he
Sweet talked me.

We started to meet and date fast and furiously,
In all the unusual places we could think of.
My artful young man had endless resources,
Pulling the strings that seduced me.

No hesitation when he asked me sincerely:
"come on let's get married". He was a master of self-assured ease.

Wedding day memories come back  to remind me,
A veil of white lace trailing softly behind me,
Something borrowed 'n' blue, something old 'n' new, 
As i waited devoutly for the groom to appear. 

Crammed in their pews the guests growing restless
Restraining their pent-up hysteria.
The minutes ticked by with relentless precision,
So where on earth was my husband to be ?

No hesitation when he asked me sincerely:
"come on let's get married". He was a master of self-assured ease.

Wedding day memories come back to remind me,
A veil of white lace trailing softly behind me,
No nervous bridegroom in manly composure,
Only the priest in conspicuous embarassment.

Wedding day memories come back  to remind me,
A veil of white lace trailing softly behind me,
No nervous bridegroom in manly composure,
Only the priest in conspicuous embarassment.

Wedding day memories come back  to remind me,
A veil of white lace flowing softly behind me,
No wedding march to walk down the
Aisle with, just the dull dirge of 
My inconsolable grieving.

You look for shelter and brotherly love 
You hold your arms out towards the mirror  
you stumble and with a stern look on your face     
you mumble a sad Modugno song       
about violins played by the wind       
the last kiss my sweet child                
burns on your face like drops of lemon juice  
the courageous bravery  of a ferocious farewell   
but those are tears and it’s raining
and it’s raining  
it’s raining … 
Magical quiet, veiled indulgence
After a  relentless storm
You catch your breath and with intense ardour
Celebrate a meek, unusual awakening 
A thousand violins played by the wind
The last embrace my beloved child 
In the tenuous memory of a silver rainfall 
A remorseless sense of no return 
In those violins played by the wind 
The last kiss my sweet child 
burns on your face like drops of lemon juice  
the courageous bravery of a ferocious farewell   
but those are tears and it’s raining
and it’s raining  
and it’s raining
it’s raining … 

I’m wearing red lipstick in sign of mourning
And a black coat
My uncle was a distinguished man.
Don’t cry, mother! Just swallow it down and forget
His greedy hands between my legs
He’s in God’s grace now

Good girl, play eenie, meeny, miny, moe
The less shame you feel the better your score
Let’s play Blind Man’s Buff
Your uncle is taking you to the mountains

We pay our final respects to a pure soul
A noble example as a father, brother and friend
And I feel their deep contempt, their eyes on me
I revealed the sordid incest and nobody believed me
Good girl, a little bit at a time
Don’t worry, it won’t bite or run away
Let’s play Blind Man’s Buff
Your uncle is taking you on holiday

Good girl play eenie, meeny, miny, moe
Those who seek sooner or later shall find
Do it again sweetie
Your uncle is taking you to the merry-go-round
Your uncle is taking you to the merry-go-round

I’m wearing bright red lipstick
And nothing under my coat …
In honour of my persecutor

Deaf merciless mermaids
made the sad announcement
as the setting sun flooded 
the deserted roads
dark omens 
power games experienced first-hand
or by men armed with romantic ideals
whatever the reward
it will never be right

We will be ready to celebrate victory
and joyfully drink a toast amongst the ruins
few will be able to release themselves from poverty
and be happy about the glory however infinite 

The sharp echo of mermaids 
cuts our open wounds 
we waited helplessly for the enemy to attack
(and) perhaps for the last time 
power games experienced first-hand
or the irreparable damage of wasted childhood
who will pay for this
whoever carries the signs

We will be ready to celebrate victory
and joyfully drink a toast amongst the ruins
few will be able to release themselves from poverty
and be happy about the glory however infinite 

winners and losers
we will rebuild everything
winners and losers

Maybe I won’t be able to give you the best       
many times you found my efforts useless      
Maybe I won’t be able to give you the best       
many times you found my gestures ridiculous    

(A) as if having given up on myself                   
weren’t enough                       
as if all the power of my love
weren’t enough....                          

(B) and all I did was feel like a misfit
so I changed everything about me         
because I wasn’t enough                           
and I have only just realized that you were ......frightened                            

maybe I won’t be able to give you the best            
but I added things up and discovered that I don’t have more to give          

(A)……… 

and all I did was feel like a misfit        
and I changed everything about me        
because I wasn’t enough                           
and I have only just realized     

(B)………

I survived this last ordeal 
so after all I can be proud 
of being a woman with a capital W 
I certainly treasure 
what you’ve taught me  
and I can definitely say 
that I am a woman with a capital W 
that I am a woman who’s got what it takes 

W as in wilful dupe 
How long did I put up with your scheming ways
W as in wilful dupe 
How long had you been plotting behind my back

It was a bitter pill to swallow
and nobody knows  
your despicable methods 
better than I do 
I buried my foolish infantile idealism  
and can now declare 
that I am a woman with a capital W 
that I am a woman who’s got what it takes 

W as in wilful dupe
How long did I put up with your scheming ways
W as in wilful dupe
How long had you been plotting behind my back 
W as in wilful dupe 
how long did you slip and slide beneath my sheets 

Kiss me again Judas
Until I have breath in my body   
until I get my reward 
until I have breath in my body  
until I get my reward  

until I have breath in my body  
until I get my reward  
Kiss me, Kiss me, Kiss me, Kiss me 
W as in wilful dupe 
W as in wilful dupe 
W as in wilful dupe 

BESAME BESAME MUCHO
COMO SI FUERA ESTA NOCHE
LA ULTIMA VEZ

Mary Chain was patiently waiting her turn to receive holy communion.
That Sunday Jesus Christ on the cross looked even more sorrowful than usual.
The old priest had been absolving his flock 
Of the usual sins for more than twenty years.
Jesus Christ on the cross looked somewhat disheartened 
By those small town vices
Above all the uncontrollable desire to resort
to buttered, baked and ready-to-eat gossip
What delicious morsels and petty titbits to tickle the appetites of the vulgar
With their big, asbestos-lined mouths, stinking like stagnant pools.

Jesus Christ on the cross
Seemed more bothered by those abominations than by the nails  

Mary Chain you know what it feels like
To have a lump in your throat.
Choking back tears of rage and bitterness
Because of wrongs you never committed.
And you’re still serving an unfair sentence 
In the gloomy circle of malicious gossip.
And you wonder whether your name 
was more an omen than a spiteful trick.

Mary Chain didn’t know how to react
When the priest refused to give her holy communion
And in her pain she smothered an unspoken amen 
along with her humiliation.
According to an ancient proverb 
in the long run all lies become truths

Jesus Christ smiled indulgently almost in disbelief.  
 
Mary Chain you know what it feels like
To have a lump in your throat.
Choking back tears of rage and bitterness
Because of wrongs you never committed.
And you’re still serving an unfair sentence 
In the gloomy circle of malicious gossip.
And you wonder whether your name 
was more an omen than a spiteful trick.

I’m looking at a photo of my mother
She was happy she must have been about three  
She was clutching  a doll close to her chest         
A most coveted gift.
It was her birthday party
In faded black and white .
 
I look at my mother in those days and I see 
The same smile on her face as mine.
And to think of all the times I felt she was distant 
And to think of all the times… 
I would have liked to talk to her about me at least ask her to explain 
Those long hostile moments of silence and indifference 
Invariably    
I would appear inflexible, beyond reach and proud
Deeply resolute fearing foolish rivalry  
 
I’m looking at a photo of my mother
She was happy she must have been about twenty 
Hair tied up in a silk scarf 
A vacant look upon her face.
A clear view of a radiant Catania 
In the sixties 
I scrutinize her closely and thoroughly and  find
The same look on her face as mine.
 
And to think of all the times I felt she was distant 
And to think of all the times… 
I would have liked to talk to her about me at least ask her to explain 
Those long hostile moments of silence and arbitrary indolence 
Invariably    
I would appear inflexible, beyond reach and proud
Deeply resolute fearing an innate rivalry. 
 
I would have liked to talk to her about me at least ask her to explain... 
I would have liked to talk to her about me at least ask her to explain...

Living together is a rare thing.......made of delicate gestures 
And daily affection.......substantial or not
We need to behave......like guests......showing care 
And consideration.......for fear of disturbing
And you can see infinity.......in some people’s eyes

Cars screech........like enraged buffalo,
Roads are the prairie.......
Alongside   sun-drenched skyscrapers 
How can we..........keep our feelings......secret
And you can see infinity.......in some people’s eyes

The whole…..Universe…..abides by.... the rules of ......... love
How.....can you.......hide.....love
And that’s how......it locks us .......in chains.
The whole...... Universe…..abides by.....the rules of.........love

How can we..........keep our feelings......secret
And you can see infinity.......in some people’s eyes

The whole…..Universe…..abides by........the rules of.........love
How.....can you.......hide.....love
And that’s how......it locks is........in chains.
The whole...... Universe…..abides by......the rules of.........love

Of all the days you had to choose from
Why did you have to leave on a Monday?
Birds are singing and summer is nearly here
Time for sun, sea and lemon water-ices 
No mincing of words in the witty 
and subtly sarcastic comments you could have made 

Up with Italy, soccer and testosterone!
Shady dealings and hormone-ridden sluts!
We like tv rather a lot I’d say
I mean - the actual tv set – on display in the drawing room
Who knows what bitter remarks
You would have made out of a sheer sense of decency

Send us a postcard and a cheerful picture
Of you sunbathing on the beach
Wearing a typical white shirt, reading the sports page
And lingering upon the strand basking in the sunset

Of all the days you had to choose from
Why did you have to leave on a Monday?
Hectic street traffic and arguments at the crossroads  
Lots of bad-mannered people in ugly looking cars
Who knows how witty and subtly sarcastic
You could have been in such miserable circumstances

Send us a postcard and a cheerful picture 
Of you sunbathing on the beach
Wearing a typical white shirt and reading the sports page
Lingering on the strand and humming a love song

Send us a postcard and a cheerful picture
Of you sunbathing on the beach
Wearing a typical white shirt

Send us a postcard and a cheerful picture 
As you linger on the strand 
And with a sense of awe welcome a new day

Tonight a firefly lit up my window 
and I would keep it
in an old jam jar 
    
he used to say the secret is to listen in silence     
and never flower in the heart    
of a flower in the city                              
ah ah… 

now that time stands still           
I’m waiting                
I’m waiting                
now that time stands still          
I’m waiting                
I’m waiting                

Lumps in my throat that scratch the pale hands of silence     
and  I would never like to look at the sky in a bottle         
ah ah…

now that time stands still I’m waiting
I’m waiting                            
I’m waiting                            
now that time stands still I’m waiting
I’m waiting                               
I’m waiting                                              
I’m waiting                                              
I’m waiting                                              
I’m waiting                                              

Tonight a firefly lit up my window         
and I get images from a forgotten receipt 

I remember the bitter cold the faint lamenting of my people     
packed in a crowded freight train               
for two days and nights without sleep     
and soon enough we would stop talking, soon enough          

I remember the bitter cold day       
we lost our children forever           
hungry, thirsty, divested of our clothes    
and it was like swallowing shards of glass          

(A) and soon enough we would stop talking    
soon enough we would stop understanding     
and each time I learned how to take one more sip    
and each time I learned how to take one more sip    
more than I really needed                            
more than I really needed                            
I could be thirsty one day                         

I remember the bitter cold the fear of sinking     
into a bed of hot coals                                         
what logic or human law will ever be able to explain       
the diabolical deed devised by those elected men… 

(A)………"

The slope of abandonment is steep and treacherous.
The good Lord above, devastated and compassionate,
is unresponsive to human richness and misery.
Oblivion shall reign supreme as a precious remedy for the 
helplessness and cruelty of a shameful farewell
unexpectedly inflicted by one who pledged loyalty.
But a warm wind will herald the return of better times.

The good Lord above, devastated and compassionate,
is unresponsive to human richness and misery.
Oblivion shall reign supreme as a vile expedient for the 
helplessness and cruelty of a shameful farewell
unexpectedly inflicted by one who pledged loyalty.
But a warm wind will herald the return of better times.
But a warm wind will herald the return of better times.

But a warm wind will shape the severity of harsh winters.

My love, things don’t always follow the right course
And it’s not just bad weather 
That ruins the harvest 
It’s funny how time goes by better than expected
Impending panic forces us to tame a fervid smile
And a sudden sense of well-being

Is happiness, perhaps, a remote hope?
Like sunshine in December
Not very far from here it’s snowing
Not very far from here
People devise ways to run around breathlessly
So anxious are they to get back to where they started from
That they forget how much is at stake
And how to follow suit.

My love, it’s not your fault
If you can’t handle joy
And you feel at ease 
Surrounded by pain and resignation
And it’s only natural if  sometimes,
we force ourselves to ignore the constant cry
of our real inclinations
The margin of error in an endless subtraction
  
Is happiness, perhaps, a remote hope?
Like sunshine in December
Not very far from here it’s snowing
Not very far from here
People behave in an odd and mysterious manner
Driven by an uncontrollable desire to be amazing
They don their masks but somehow
Forget to wear the one that shows courage
When the stakes are down

Not very far from here it’s snowing
Not very far from here it’s snowin

I rarely smile         
Especially lately      
I realize just by looking at myself        
That I’m not the same person anymore       
I reluctantly participate      
In formal rituals that are beneath contempt     
I put up with the seductive words of people         
Preaching  what they do not practice        
 
Let me be absolutely clear any resemblance      
Let me be absolutely clear any resemblance      
Is not purely coincidental          
It is not purely generic                            
Believe me…..                     
 
I reply vaguely                              
With sincere and polite  detachment              
To the languid nauseating                          
Altruism of convenience             
I gradually adapt                            
To subtle moral blackmail             
I notice just by looking at you     
That I find you sufficiently             
Despicable                                      
 
Let me be absolutely clear any resemblance      
Let me be absolutely clear any resemblance     
Is not purely coincidental          
It is not purely generic                           
Believe me…..                     
 
Let me be absolutely clear any resemblance      
Let me be absolutely clear any resemblance      
Is not purely coincidental          
It is not purely generic                           
Believe me…..                     
Believe me…..            

I suffer seeing you
break the principles
which were the firm basis
of an exemplary dignity.
 
The questionable urgency
that makes it essential for people
to conform to the norm
is inadmissible.
 
They say that the return 
on any sacrifice is considerable, 
but the exception to the rule
undermines the norm.

If it is true that the return 
on any sacrifice is considerable,
then giving up your soul
would bring a handsome reward
 
I suffer seeing you
making  bizarre movements
controlled by a shrewd, 
string-pulling puppeteer .
 
Do you think 
escaping  the stern
and watchful gaze
of your own conscience
can be an admirable choice ?
 
They say that the return 
on any sacrifice is considerable,
but the exception to the rule
undermines the norm.

If it is true that the return 
on any sacrifice is considerable,
then giving up your soul
would bring a handsome reward

Look into my eyes 
Remove all lies and deceit
That aura of purity betrays diabolical anomalies 
And you know what I mean
And what I need

And yet you’ll have the cheek
To call facts mere chance events
Greed and duplicity conspire with the utmost cruelty
And you know what I mean
And you know that lying doesn’t right a wrong

You’ll cry and stage the umpteenth drama
With tears running down your burning cheeks
Eve 
And you’ll swear to God and on your mother that it’s not your fault
As the tears come running down

Look into my eyes
Remove all lies and deceit
Eve
That aura of purity reveals diabolic anomalies 
And you run from the awful monster
You’ve created
Sleep that brings no rest

You’ll cry and stage the umpteenth drama
With tears running down your burning cheeks
Eve 
And you’ll swear to God and on your mother that it’s not your fault
As the tears soak your silk shirt

Believe me it was an evil spell
The work of witchcraft
I was not in possession of my faculties

And you’ll cry and stage the umpteenth drama
With tears running down your burning cheeks
Eve 
And you’ll swear to God and on your mother that it’s not your fault
As the tears come running down

I just can't get you out of my head 
Boy your loving is all I think about 
I just can't get you out of my head 
Boy it's more than I dare to think about 
Every night 
Every day 
Just to be there in your arms 
Won't you stay 
Won't you lay 
Stay forever and ever and ever and ever 

La la la 
La la la la la 

I just can't get you out of my head 
Boy your loving is all I think about 
I just can't get you out of my head 
Boy it's more than I dare to think about.
There's a dark secret in me 
Don't leave me locked in your heart 

Set me free 
Feel the need in me 
Set me free 
Stay forever and ever and ever and ever 

I just can't get you out of my head 
Boy your loving is all I think about.

Ah ah... 

Seeking attractive                                            
Well-endowed, enterprising young lady              
Young, smart                                                  
but, above all else, sweet and accommodating    

Seeking apprentice                                                            
upstanding, honest, entrepreneurial, law-abiding man                  
offers young career girls  
a chance for an unprecedented rise to success  

pure and untouched young woman wanted                        
used and well run-in woman wanted                                
Northern or Southern, local or illegal immigrant            
aaah  let’s see how you dance to the rhythm of the samba or the cha cha cha  
at first glance you are gifted and very telegenic      
but perhaps you’re more interested in music  
         
Seeking caregiver                                             
charming eighty-year-old millionaire                   
offers stray bitches                                        
the opportunity for a more well-to-do life         

unrepentant woman and thief wanted         
saintly woman with no criminal record  wanted        
freshly deceased will do, as long as she’s hot            

aaah how would you kiss if you were in the movies       
scene one – camera - action                                            
or maybe you’re interested in politics                           
aaah minister of red-light affairs or cosmetics   
nowadays there’s no difference between men and women       
Italy, our beautiful country, gives merit where merit  is worth           

how would you sing some of our pop songs ‘Anima Mia’ (‘My Soul’) or ‘Finche la barca va’ (‘The ship sails itself’)           
on first listening you seem to have a talent for opera music      
or maybe you’re interested in astrophysics......                                

Narcissist, butter me up with words 
That melt under the hot breath of passion 
Narcissist, transparency and mystery 
Cover me with oil, almonds and vanity 
Shape me… 
Tell  me the stories you like to invent 
Frighten me 
Tell me about new exciting victories 
Win me over, invent me, give me a new identity 
Stun me, leave me defenceless and then strike
Embrace me and intoxicate me with irony and sensuality
Narcissist, butter me up with words 
That hide the proverbial selfishness of your intentions
Narcissist, what a sublime façade
Shower me with elegant lavish attentions  
Inspire me 
Tell  me the stories you like to invent 
Frighten me 
Tell me about new exciting victories 
Win me over, invent me, give me a new identity 
Stun me, leave me defenceless and then strike
Embrace me and intoxicate me with irony and sensuality
Embrace me and intoxicate me with irony and sensuality
Win me over 
Win me over 
Win me over 

I met her a number of times when she was rather drunk 
They called her the Countess of Misery               
Because of her arid disposition                              
She was desperately lonely                        
On the threshold of sixty                                  
Sadly wrapped in garish ostrich feathers and vulgar-looking metal jewellery  
Written on the wall of her house  
 
Countess of Misery                 
Sooner or later life             
Pays off its debt                                  
Countess of Misery                
Sooner or later life takes you by surprise 
 
In her eyes lay the constant fear of the passing of time       
And she would have given anything to have the elixir              
Of long life              
She was desperately lonely       
On the threshold of sixty              
Sweetly engrossed in glorious memories steeped in powder, blusher and ‘rien ne va plus’       
Countess of Misery                 
Sooner or later life             
Pays off its debt                                  
Countess of Misery                
Sooner or later life takes you by surprise 
 
Without asking permission
Without prior warning   
Countess of Misery                       
Her mind in hibernation since the age of twenty   
Victim of the century’s deceptive     
Pursuit of the icons of beauty  
And cosmetic surgery      
 
Countess of Misery          
The mind doesn’t change  
Countess of Misery          
The mind doesn’t change  
Countess of Misery          
The mind doesn’t change  
Countess of Misery          
The mind doesn’t change  

I could speak, discuss, grit my teeth, smile                                                              
lie endlessly saying useless things again and again         

Showing false hypocritical serenity            
when words rebel                                         
story tales, rivers, seas of perplexity      
there is no reason not to feel                   
what I feel inside                                
an immense sky inside                      
what I feel                                         

I need to be with you                        
give you the wings of my thoughts as a gift     
beyond the closed paths within me                
I want to open my heart to truth               

I could speak, discuss, grit my teeth, smile 
suffer endlessly find meaning in uselessness        

Showing false hypocritical serenity             
when words rebel                                         
story tales, rivers, seas of perplexity      
there is no reason not to feel                   
what I feel inside                                
an immense sky inside                      
what I feel                                         

I need to be with you                        
give you the wings of my thoughts as a gift     
beyond the closed paths within me                
I want to open my heart to truth               

I need to be with you                        
give you the wings of my thoughts as a gift     
beyond the closed paths within me                
I want to open my heart to truth               

When the April showers blur the horizon disconsolately fishermen bring their boats sowly back to the shore.
When April showers send housewives hurrying outdoors to salvage rows of white washing hanging on the line.
I know that summer's just round the corner playing hide and seek as it keeps us all waiting.
And through those meloncholy winters, how cold the nights coul be, my imitation of contentment was a parody.
All through those chilled and cheerless winters, col comfort came slowly to an end, every cloud lost its silver-lining, having fun was playing a game of pretend.
The April showers release the sweet scent of blossolming trees to ride the wind and go down to mingle with the salt-sea air.
I know that summer's just round the corner playing hide and seek as it keeps us all waiting.
And through those meloncholy winters, how cold the nights coul be, my imitation of contentment was a parody.
All through those chilled and cheerless winters, col comfort came slowly to an end.
What we missed then, most of all, was our indisputable right to laughter.
And through those meloncholy winters, how cold the nights coul be, my imitation of contentment was a parody.
And through those meloncholy winters, how cold the nights coul be, my imitation of contentment was a parody.

Will the victim pay or the abuser/perpetrator     
I’m leaving I’m sure you will miss me          
Your majesty your courtiers are an insatiable pack            
I’m leaving tonight you will miss me            
And now I wonder                                       
How many times will you change your mind about me     
 
Our fairy tale will weep over                             
The fragrance of fertility                             
The soul can be healed                                           
By leaving without getting hurt                       
 
And this is how roles are changed and reversed    
You are here asking me for romantic gestures        
Your majesty your courtiers are an uncontrollable pack            
I’m leaving I’m sure you will miss me                   
And now I wonder how many castles will come                          
falling down                                                       
 
Our fairy tale will weep over                            
The fragrance of fertility                             
The soul can be healed                                            
By leaving without getting hurt

You know full well that a drop in the sky is a deluge 
so small is the world that observes us    
You know full well that I’m not asking for much now    
so clear is the sea that listens to us and sends us to sleep        

(A) I’d like to try                               
I’d like to offer you my hands          
I’d like to try                                     
I’d like to protect this moment          
(B) and I think I feel confused and happy   
and I think I feel confused and happy         
and I think I feel...                                       

Ah…  ah…  ah… ah…

You know full well that I’m trembling and it’s not cold      
and I’m a victim of this immense joy         
you know full well that nothing can affect us now      
so fragile is the world that awaits us, that scares us         

(A)……… 

I’d like to try again                                   
I’d like to protect this moment                 

(B)………

confused and happy                                  
confused and happy                                  
confused and happy                                  

you know full well that a drop in the sky is a deluge       
so small is the world that observes us           

Orire ni t'agbado
orire ni t'agbado
orire ni t'agbado
Agbado rin hoho wa le

Orire ...

Ile aye wa
Edje amoura si
Ile aye wa
Itche gbogbo wa ni

Cradle me more than ever
wrap me up in a warm hug
talk to me more than ever
feed me 
Mother Earth

Orire...

Cradle me more than ever
wrap me in a warm hug
talk to me more than ever
feed me 
Mother Earth

Sometimes hot summer nights
wear an exotic smile
like a joyful and intense Africa
violated, abused and offended
maternal and fierce 

Cradle me more than ever
wrap me in a warm hug
talk to me more than ever
feed me 
Mother Earth

Orire...

You are not obliged to understand me 
I almost don’t feel the need to insist 
you offered me a love made of plastic 
but did you ever ask yourself if deceiving me was the honest thing to do

Remember you’re the one that’s not there when I cry
You’re the one that doesn’t  know when my birthday is
When I’m floundering in the dark 

But how can I give my heart and soul and be able to believe 
that everything is more or less easy when it’s impossible 
I wanted to be stronger than all your uncertainties 
but I can’t make do 
with a love made of plastic if that’s all you can give me
You are the fire that’s difficult to light 
There’s no excuse but yet you know how to confuse me  

Remember you’re the one that’s not there when I cry
You’re the one that doesn’t know when my birthday is 
When I’m floundering in the dark 
But how can I give my heart and soul and be able to believe 
that everything is more or less easy when it’s impossible 
I wanted to be stronger than all your uncertainties 
but I can’t make do 
with a love made of plastic if that’s all you can give me

I wanted to be stronger than all your uncertainties 
but I can’t make do 
with a love made of plastic if that’s all you can give me

but I can’t make do 
with a love made of plastic if that’s all you can give me 

I emerge from tiles
and flakes of plaster
wearing a coat that belonged to my uncle, 
a soldier who survived the war.

Making my way through a crowd 
of evacuees and festive children 
I search for my old house among
Abandoned medlar trees and a simple acacia

And with the soft pressure of a kiss 
I open the door
And I think of Italy gritting its teeth
Blood flowing but a heart made of stone...

There, where piano music once reverberated
Stood only dust and rubble
And I can almost hear the rough tones of Anna Magnani’s voice 
Instilling hope

Silver olive leaves
Speak of Easter long ago
The roof is almost caving in 
And a swallow lies dead 
Between a boot and a bucket 

And I think of Italy
The gloomy grey statue of Mazzini 
holding his threadbare notebooks.

There, where a piano once reverberated
Stood dust and rubble
And I can almost hear the rough tones
Of Anna Magnani’s voice 
Instilling hope

Fortunately I still have the common sense            
to question myself                         
I’d gladly do without your handbooks              
on self-esteem                                           

Fortunately the agonizing procession of flowers from you ended several days ago 
I’m still throwing up our last romantic meal together...    
sad, bored and dried out      
I would be your tainted Venus 
sad, bored and dried out 
I would be no use as prey    

(A) you’ll see you’ll see in the end                      
you’ll get a sordid thank you, you will              
the appropriate smile just right for the occasion, you’ll see… 

Fortunately I always make the mistake
of not taking myself too seriously    
and I can gladly do without                        
your practical sex and success … 
sad, bored and dried out                   
I would be your  tainted Venus 
sad, bored and dried out                   
I would be your  tainted Venus
I would be no use as prey… 

(A)(x2)………

I can still smell your fuming words           
your words on me                                   
that’s the only thing                                     
you left me....                                             

sad, bored and dried out I would be your tainted Venus  (x5)

I watched her hands insolently teasing an artificial rose    
And the way she concealed her embarrassment               
was so sweet                                                         
as she talked about her misfortunes       
smiling ironically  and keeping her eyes lowered          
 
I watched her hands folding and unfolding     
Between the embroidery of the tablecloth               
I could hardly stop myself from                         
Grabbing hold of them, attacking her pain       
 
The taste of a frugal meal mixed with the odour of incense  
Memories dulled by time                                   
Although she was no different from  many, many other people             
She was special.....special                                
 
I watched her hands elegantly           
emphasizing  her opinions                 
with unexpected resemblance      
symbiotic intuition friendly zeal             
 
The taste of a frugal meal mixed with the odour of incense    
Memories faded by time                       
Although she was no different from many, many other people     
She was special.......special                      
 
I let myself be seduced by her obsessions             
I let myself be seduced by her obsessions             
I let myself be seduced by her obsessions             

I look out of my window all the time and see people in the street
Beautiful, ugly, cheerful, sulky, angry people
People showing off their riches, raising an eyebrow, tightening their lips
“Turi, I’d like something refreshing, like a sorbet or freshly squeezed lemonade”
He replies: “Giusi, when you called yourself Giuseppina you were happy just having the usual brioche with lemon ice”
“Turi, you’ve come a long way but now that you are a big business man you’ve got to learn how to talk with a bit of class”.

I’m always looking out of the window watching people with nothing to do smoking one cigarette after another, sitting sprawled out on benches in the square.  People meeting and saying “hi” with a glance. People avoiding one another, hugging and kissing each other. People being thrifty, making sacrifices but never giving in or next winter they won’t be able to make ends meet.
People owning next to nothing and doing almost everything to make sure the table is  well laid for people in power.

“What are you looking at? Don’t you have anything better to do?
“Go and get a job!” shouts a spiteful old man “you’re bringing bad luck standing behind the window like that”
I reply “I’m sorry, this is my home and I can stand where I like”

Sunday morning, from the church speakers Father Coppola’s voice shakes the walls of the houses and rattles people’s bones,
“You sinners, renounce the pleasures of the flesh. When the devil knocks wear a second pair of knickers”
Then, beside the church a big car stops.
Saro Branchia, known as the Lion King, gets out.
Father Coppola stammers and cuts his sermon short 
Because his majesty wants to receive holy communion,

“What are you looking at? Don’t you have anything better to do with your time?”
“Why don’t you go to the seaside!” shouts a mean old man “you’re as pale as a ghost”
I reply “Excuse me, but why have you decided to stand there and provoke me?”

I’m always looking out of my window and seeing the great civilisation we once were 
Where Turks, Jews and Christians would shake hands
And people used to think “diversity means richness”
Times of beauty and poetry, love and wisdom.
What we had yesterday might come back today
If we find good seeds to plant
In this land of fire and water
Today deep in my heart I feel
That things will change

“What are you looking at? Don’t you have anything better to do with your time?
“Go out dancing! Shake a leg and get a life!”
And I reply: “I’d love to. Can you recommend an eccentric dance?”

You look down a hole and you can’t see the light  
inside the ants are talking about me     
silence all around makes it’s easy     
to hear the clouds speak

and in this silence I think about that dumb, dirty trick 
played on me so slyly behind my honourable back  
well !   
Why don’t you say something so that I can flush you out 
With your tongue like a rattlesnake
spit venom at your brothers and sisters...    

Perhaps the sun is shy   
It doesn’t talk to the wind about the strange excitement it feels inside  
while the black-and-blue sea remains suspended beneath the sky 
talking about it makes no sense  

and in this silence I think about the dumb, dirty trick 
played on me so slyly behind my honourable back  
well !!  

Why don’t you say something so that I can figure you out 
with your tongue like a rattlesnake 
spit venom at your brothers and sisters...

Why don’t you say something so that I can flush you out       
Prattlesnake      
Why don’t you say something so that I can flush you out  
Prattlesnake   

I eveileb ni em, I eveileb ni em          
ni ym evol                                           
I eveileb ni em, I eveileb ni em          
ni ym evol                                           
rof tra, rof tra                                       
ew eid

You’ve come to convince me
Or blame me for what I have yet to learn
You have come to take me back sick Orpheus 
You give strength and courage to your sublime song
Take me with you don’t look back 
Lead me to the light of day 
Take me with you don’t leave me 
I am blindfolded but  already feel the heat 

It’s time for me to wake up
It’s time to be reborn 
I feel your hands upon me 
And it is a warm reminder because 
I need to wake up 
Take care of you 
Come back to life…..

You came to defend me
To free me excessively imposing your obstinacy 
You came to take me back
A hero distracted by voices that lead to temptation
Take me with you don’t listen to them
Lead me to the light of day 
Take me with you don’t leave me
The way through is near I already feel the warmth 

It’s time I woke up
It’s time to be reborn 
I feel your hands upon me 
And it is a warm reminder because 
I need to wake up 
It’s time to wake up
Come back to life…..
Come back to life…..
Come back to life…..
Come back to life

Dear Mr Waver it’s not easy 
To take responsibility for your choices   
Even to use your own words 
Wear a disguise and live bathing in reflected glory 
Deep in the murky waters 
Of  despicable lies and deceit 
Inferiority complexes and  
Cumbersome delusions of grandeur. 

Mr Waver it’s nothing to be ashamed of  
Never knowing how to hit the target
Having hopelessly missed the mark for the umpteenth time,

And it doesn’t really matter if 
Your wife does nothing but cry 
Obsessed by the suspicion of your many infidelities 
She swallows her pain and confusion with excessive doses of tranquillizers.

Feeling downhearted has become a habit, Mr Waver  
Not living up to your own ambitions  
Having to elbow your way to stand out from the crowd.
Ignorance is a considerable complex to have, 
An abyss that can be covered up in silence 
dodging the danger of facing a mild form of direct confrontation. 

Mr Waver it’s no disgrace  
to have no talent, 
to be forever trying not to miss the boat

And it doesn’t really matter if 
Your wife does nothing but cry 
Obsessed by the suspicion of your numerous infidelities 
And quite frankly she’s not entirely wrong  
And it’s no coincidence that 
Friends, lovers, and dreams all disappear 
The dog on the balcony has been waiting for months 
For the privilege of being taken for a walk and yet 
every evening he’s faithfully and ecstatically happy you’re home 
And it doesn’t really matter if 
Your wife does nothing but cry 
Obsessed by the suspicion of your numerous infidelities 
And quite frankly she’s not entirely wrong  
And it’s no coincidence that 
Friends, lovers, and dreams all disappear 
The dog on the balcony has been waiting for months 
For the privilege of being petted 
And meanwhile  your daughter asks you  
Why life is so miserable.

I would put up with what offends me the most         
I witness those gestures driven by your stupidity    
I would put up with what kills me the most      
I would still know how to be faithful to myself    

(A) slimy smiles spread no warmth        
I’ve already made my choice between good and bad     
after all you know that appearances don’t fool me      
you only managed to get a bit of silence out of me....   
easy to say that you can take everything you want         

you only managed to get a bit of silence out of me       
only a bit of silence                                             
you just wasted your superior breath………             

I would put up with what offends me the most        
I would still know how to be faithful to myself    

(A)………

you only managed to get a bit of silence out of me       
a bit of silence out of me                              
a bit of silence out of me                              
a bit of silence out of me                              

you only managed to get a bit of silence out of me       
a bit of silence out of me                              
a bit of silence out of me                             
a bit of silence out of me...

Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais
Et tes lames n’y pourront rien changer
Comme dit si bien verlaine au vent mauvais
Je suis veneu te dire que je m’en vais

Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais
Tes sanglots longs n’y pourront rien changer
Comme dit si bien verlaine au vent mauvais
Je suis veneu te dire que je m’en vais

Tu t’souviens des jours anciens et tu pleures
Tu soffoques, tu blémis à présent qu’à sonné l’heure
Des adieux à jamais (ouais)
Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais 

Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais
Tes sanglots longs n’y pourront rien changer
Comme dit si bien verlaine au vent mauvais
Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais

Tu t’souviens des jours anciens et tu pleures
Tu soffoques, tu blémis à présent qu’à sonné l’heure
Des adieux à jamais (ouais)
Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais
Je t’aimais, oui, mais

Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais
Je suis venue te dire que je m’en vais
Je t’aimais, oui, mais