Canzone Di Malavita

One day in Naples, an old man told me
we sing because we're happy to be sad
we live with the volcano over our heads
and with death like a crow on our shoulders
so, we sing about life
and dance with the black angel until we can't breathe anymore
in the dialect, no verb is conjugated in the future
what's most alive in us is our kids....

If the clock marked the end on the counter
the world would fear that I'd bite it
it would pale before my appetite, my thirst for life
I'd push open the doors, fight endlessly
name these feelings, that I've struggled to define
I'd travel the curve of the globe
fix these treasures in my lobes
more precious than those sleeping in chests
I'd learn that those we cherish with a tender heart
are not eternal, one day death comes to take them
I'd say sorry to all those I've wronged
pick up the classes and all those plans I left behind
one of those days when I was tired of the illusions
I'd fill my hours where all those dreams were aborted in tears
I'd read that name on the facades, spray-painted in bold letters
an ode to the memory of friends hit in the head
I wouldn't want to be a star, nor VIP, nor famous
just scratch my medals in the honor song
like a soldier of hip-hop
I'd tell my troubles on checkered paper
I'd drown my face in blue, under an Azzaro spray
I'd have the same friends, the same struggles deep down
I'd lift my foot for our moms
yeah, it drives them crazy
like an old man in the country tonight, humming for respect
the tales and stories from our rough lives
we sing when we're so happy to be sad
because we live with death, princess with a magnificent crown

I'd be careful that these walls aren't my opium
because I regret that the cops search everything at 6 in the morning in our rooms
it's not a life, nothing exciting
sitting in the passenger seat, waiting for the accident
I'd turn left when the crowd turns right
and gets lost selling for champagne and cigars
a lot of coolness for a kid my age
lacking conscience
all my actions would be hatched and accomplished in my soul
I'd show some common sense
wouldn't play my life in the streets of New York,
acting like a fool, damn it
I'd drop a little strict maxi, live from my stash
under the cape, it would spin, just to see what I'm capable of
I'd take it to my mom so she could hang it in the living room
I'd be her star, far from the kid on a balloon trip
I'd meet you at that café like before
with my silence as my only advance
we'd watch the passersby, hours deliriously together
reviving the garden of my joys turned to ashes
out of the dungeon where I was locked up
you'd take me to breathe life in Paris in May
I'd always feel ashamed of having nothing to offer
except my letters, my heart, but yes, my heart too
I'd go to the movies to ask for two tickets
and crack what’s left in my pockets to buy you an ice cream

Take my hand in yours and count the days
for the moment that flies and delights my days
listen to me sing our hours, the ups and downs
song of the underworld