Rome, where are you? You were with me
Today you're a prison, I'm a prisoner
Rome, ancient city
Now old reality
You don't notice me
And you don't know
How much I pity you
But the sky's raining down on the city
You, with your heart in the mud
Gold and silver, and tea houses
City without any more bells**
Then, dolce vita going
Along the merry Lungotevere*
Viola concerts and frivolousness
Your smell of Roman holidays
~ ~ ~
Beautiful Rome, you, your Muses
Shiny asphalt, "Arrivederci Roma"
A little coin and there you go***
Some come back and some go away
You do your part
But you don't know
How much pain you give me
A vain Greta Garbo
with your heart in the mud
Gold and silver, and tea houses
City without any more bells
Then dolce vita going
Upon the terraces of the Avenue
"Merry Widow", maîtresse of the cafes
Your smell of Roman holidays