"Santa Lucia".

OK, girls and boys, let's go way back: For the last few days I've had this song stuck in my head, as well as a children's tune with the same melody that we sang in Kindergarten under the title "Las Madreselvas" for Mother's Day. Not a bad earworm, however! That's what happens when your last name is Delucca. This traditional Neapolitan barcarolle pays homage to the breathtaking waterfront of the Gulf of Naples. Translated into Italian by Teodoro Cottrau in 1849. It was the first song translated from Neapolitan to Italian. A boatman invites you to accompany him in his nimble vessel to admire the sunset (dang, those Italians are romantic!). The seminal version was Enrico Caruso's. As always, I'm a bit partial to Mario Lanza's interpretation. Covered by, among many others, Bing Crosby, Elvis Presley and even Tom & Jerry (!). Song? Answer: "Santa Lucia". Dedicated to the Borgo Santa Lucia on the Neapolitan waterfront. Not to be confused with E. A. Mario's 1919 "Santa Lucia Luntana". My paternal grandfather was an Italian music aficionado so I grew up listening to this and many other songs from the Old Country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX4SzE_GDRE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpP7heFjr0g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yziSQmjO3_I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhjWwONo-2Q

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