What lovely times when in the neighborhood
the sound of a piano could still be heard,
guitar and mandolin accords,
and Nina appeared on the balcony.
It was a simple theme
that warmed the soul
of our Rome, full of goodness...
Nannarè!
Why, oh why have you fallen in love
with this American music?
Oh why have you forgotten that you're Roman
and don't sing our verses anymore?
Outside in a carozzella 1
to dance the tarantella 2
Nannarella, you don't come anymore...
with the flowers in the loggia 3with the lavender and the arugula...
Nannarella, isn't here anymore...
Once upon a time it was all that it was,
our poor Rome, a stranger!
Who do we serenade now,
my old guitar, friend of this heart?
The song of this tenor population
is a fabled harmony that's gone:
Today the babies sing
all their songs to rhythm
and Nina wants to be called "Nelly"
Nannarè! Why, oh why have you...
1. carriage2. a rapid whirling dance3. an open-sided extension to a building