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Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
Giacomo Puccini Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

O mio babbino caro,
Mi piace è bello, bello;
Vo′andare in Porta Rossa
A comperar l'anello!
Sì, sì, ci voglio andare!
E se l′amassi indarno,
Andrei sul Ponte Vecchio,
Ma per buttarmi in Arno!
Mi struggo e mi tormento!
O Dio, vorrei morir!
Babbo, pietà, pietà!
Babbo, pietà, pietà

Overall Meaning

Giacomo Puccini's song Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro is a heartfelt aria sung by the character Lauretta, the daughter of the titular character Gianni Schicchi. The song expresses Lauretta's desire to marry her beloved Rinuccio, and her despair over the possibility that her father may not approve of the match.


The first verse begins with the tender words "O mio babbino caro" which translates to "Oh my dear daddy". Lauretta expresses her love for her father, before stating that she wants to go to the Porta Rossa to buy a ring. She is determined to marry Rinuccio, even if her love is in vain. If her father would not allow the match, Lauretta declares that she would throw herself into the Arno River from the Ponte Vecchio. The final lines express her distress and her plea for her father's mercy.


Overall, the song is a poignant expression of a young woman's love and her desperation to be with the man she loves. The music itself is full of lush, romantic flourishes that enhance the emotional impact of the lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

O mio babbino caro,
Oh my dear father,


Mi piace è bello, bello;
I like him, he is handsome, handsome;


Vo′andare in Porta Rossa
I want to go to Porta Rossa


A comperar l'anello!
to buy the ring!


Sì, sì, ci voglio andare!
Yes, yes, I want to go there!


E se l′amassi indarno,
And if my love goes unrequited,


Andrei sul Ponte Vecchio,
I would go to Ponte Vecchio,


Ma per buttarmi in Arno!
But to throw myself into the Arno!


Mi struggo e mi tormento!
I am writhing in agony and torment!


O Dio, vorrei morir!
Oh God, I wish to die!


Babbo, pietà, pietà!
Father, have pity, have pity!


Babbo, pietà, pietà
Father, have pity, have pity




Writer(s): Giacomo Puccini, Helen M. Marrs

Contributed by Cooper O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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