Cu Ti Lu Dissi

Etta Scollo's song 'Cu Ti Lu Dissi' is a poignant exploration of love, heartbreak, and the deep emotional turmoil that accompanies the end of a relationship. The lyrics, sung in both Italian and Sicilian, convey a raw and visceral sense of pain and longing. The repeated phrases 'ahj ahj ahj ahj muoio muoio muoio muoio' (Italian) and 'ahj ahj ahj ahj moru moru moru moru' (Sicilian) translate to 'I die, I die, I die, I die,' emphasizing the singer's intense suffering and the feeling that life itself is slipping away due to the emotional agony of losing a loved one.

The song's narrative revolves around the speaker's disbelief and sorrow at the prospect of being left by their beloved. The lines 'Chi te lo ha detto che sto per lasciarti?' and 'Cu ti lu dissi ca t'haju a lassari?' both ask, 'Who told you that I am going to leave you?' This rhetorical question underscores the speaker's confusion and desperation, as they cannot fathom a life without their partner. The use of both Italian and Sicilian dialects adds a layer of cultural depth, reflecting the rich linguistic heritage of Sicily and the personal nature of the lament.

The song also touches on themes of betrayal and reconciliation. The speaker reminisces about their first love, expressing a sense of betrayal with the lines 'Il primo amore l'ho fatto con te e tu ingrata ti stai scordando di me' (Italian) and 'Lu primu amuri lu fici cu tia e tu schifusa ti stai scurdannu a mia' (Sicilian), which translate to 'The first love I had was with you, and you ungrateful one, you are forgetting me.' Despite the pain, there is a plea for peace and reconciliation, as seen in 'pace facciamo o piccolina mia' and 'paci facemo oh nicaredda mia,' meaning 'let's make peace, my little one.' This duality of anguish and hope captures the complex emotions involved in love and loss.

Etta Scollo's evocative performance, combined with the heartfelt lyrics, makes 'Cu Ti Lu Dissi' a powerful testament to the enduring impact of love and the deep scars it can leave on the human heart.