Vitti Na Crozza

Domenico Modugno's song 'Vitti Na Crozza' is a poignant reflection on mortality, the passage of time, and the inevitability of death. The title, which translates to 'I Saw a Skull,' sets a somber tone that is carried throughout the lyrics. The song begins with the narrator encountering a skull on a cannon, a powerful image that evokes themes of war, death, and the remnants of past conflicts. The skull speaks to the narrator, expressing the sorrow of dying without the toll of bells, a traditional sign of mourning and respect. This imagery underscores the anonymity and forgotten nature of many deaths, particularly in the context of war or violence.

As the song progresses, the narrator reflects on the swift passage of years, lamenting how quickly life has gone by. Now at the age of eighty, the narrator calls out to death, personified as a figure who responds to his call. This interaction highlights the inevitability of death and the natural human inclination to seek understanding or closure as one approaches the end of life. The repeated refrain 'la la la lero' adds a haunting, almost chant-like quality to the song, emphasizing the cyclical nature of life and death.

In the final verses, the narrator speaks of preparing his bed, which has been consumed by worms, a stark reminder of the physical decay that accompanies death. He contemplates the idea of atonement, suggesting that if he does not pay for his sins in this life, he will do so in the afterlife, 'in tears.' The song concludes with a vision of a garden in the sea, filled with orange trees and flowers, where birds and sirens sing. This idyllic image contrasts sharply with the earlier themes of decay and death, perhaps offering a glimpse of hope or peace in the afterlife. Modugno's evocative lyrics and melancholic melody create a powerful meditation on the human condition, the passage of time, and the search for meaning in the face of mortality.