Amuri, amuri

Otello Profazio's song 'Amuri, amuri' is a passionate ode to the overwhelming power of love. The lyrics, sung in Sicilian dialect, convey a deep sense of enchantment and madness brought on by the experience of falling in love. The repetition of the word 'amuri' (love) throughout the song emphasizes the all-consuming nature of this emotion, which has taken over the narrator's life and thoughts.

In the first verse, the narrator laments how love has driven them to madness, causing them to forget even the most sacred prayers like the 'Patri-Nostru' (Our Father) and the 'Avi-Maria' (Hail Mary). This metaphor highlights the profound impact love has had on their spiritual and mental state, suggesting that love can be as powerful and consuming as religious devotion. The use of religious imagery underscores the sanctity and intensity of the narrator's feelings.

The second verse describes the magical moment of seeing and loving the beloved, comparing their growth to the natural and beautiful growth of grass in the fields. This imagery suggests that the beloved's beauty and the love they inspire are natural and inevitable. The narrator's transformation from a carefree individual to someone deeply affected by love is evident in the third verse, where they express a sense of desperation and longing, stating that they cannot live without seeing their beloved.

The final verse uses vivid metaphors to describe the narrator's obsession, comparing themselves to fog surrounding the beloved and a hunter pursuing a quail. The imagery of the heart being squeezed like iron in a vice conveys the intense emotional pain and longing the narrator feels. Overall, 'Amuri, amuri' captures the enchantment, madness, and all-consuming nature of love, painting a vivid picture of the narrator's emotional journey.