Il Figlio del Re [English translation]

Tell me what have you brought me,

my father,

tell me what have you brought me.

“I’ve brought you

a sack full with experience

so that it may guide your life.

Experience will make

you the most powerful king”.

I don’t want it,

I don’t need the experience,

you can throw it to the bottom of the sea.

The experience you are bringing me

is a bad book,

totally to be forgotten.

Tell me what have you brought me,

my mother,

tell me what have you brought me.

“I’ve brought you

a basket full with affection

so that it may fill your life.

My affection, you know,

will never leave you, my king”.

I don’t want it,

I don’t need this affection,

you can throw it to the bottom of the sea.

This affection you are bringing me

is my cross to bear,

my natural anguish.

Tell me what have you brought me,

my jester,

tell me what have you brought me.

“I’ve brought you

a sack full with mirth

so that it may cheer up your life.

Mirth will drive away

the sadness you have, my king”.

I don’t want it,

I don’t need the mirth,

you can throw it to the bottom of the sea.

The mirth you are bringing me

is just a trick

so that I may not think.

Tell me what have you brought me,

old servant,

tell me what have you brought me.

“I’ve brought you

the misery of people,

I’ve brought you their pain.

I’ve brought you

the great anger of people,

I’ve brought you their torment.

I’ve brought you

also a strip of hope,

I’ve brought you a blade of grass.

Okay, now, if you want,

you can whip me, my king”.

I will take on your misery,

old servant,

it will be my experience.

I will take on your great anger,

old servant,

it will be my only affection.

I will take on your hope,

old servant,

it will be my mirth.