Un Giudice

Fabrizio De André's song "Un Giudice" delves into the life of a man who stands at a mere meter and a half in height, exploring the societal prejudices and personal struggles he faces. The lyrics poignantly reveal how his short stature subjects him to ridicule and curiosity, particularly from a disrespectful girl who approaches him with an impertinent question about a stereotype concerning dwarfs. This societal mockery and the constant reminder of his physical difference shape his worldview and fuel his resentment.

As the years pass, the protagonist finds himself an adult who has not 'grown' in the eyes of society. The persistent gossip and cruel remarks about his height and character only deepen his bitterness. The song suggests that society's harsh judgment leads him to internalize these negative perceptions, culminating in a belief that a dwarf must inherently be a 'scoundrel' because of their physical proximity to the ground, metaphorically linking it to moral baseness.

Driven by sleepless nights filled with rancor, the protagonist channels his anger into becoming a prosecutor and eventually a judge. This career path, from the pews of a cathedral to the bench of a courtroom, symbolizes his quest for power and control over others. As a judge, he relishes the authority to condemn those who once mocked him, finding a perverse pleasure in sentencing them. The final lines of the song reflect a poignant irony: despite his earthly authority, he remains ignorant of the true 'stature' of God, suggesting a spiritual and moral void that his newfound power cannot fill.