The Brobdingnagian Bards perform coast-to-coast, and in a given month might be at a Lord of the Rings Oscar Party, a Celtic festival, or a Science Fiction Convention. However, they are an absolute favorite at Renaissance Faires where they add high-energy and wit to make every show a memorable experience.
Marc Gunn, formerly of Austin Texas' alternative rock bands Skander and Breastfed, released a solo album (Geography) featuring himself on autoharp and Andrew McKee on recorder in 1998. This initial collaboration lead to the official formation of the Brobdingnagian Bards in 1999.
The group's name is derived from the kingdom of coarse giants described in Jonathan Swift's satirical novel Gulliver's Travels. The band is currently made up of its original two members, Marc Gunn (autoharp, vocals), and Andrew McKee (recorder, mandolin).
The Brobdingnagian Bards musical style is best described as a mixture of both Irish and Scottish folk songs. Despite performing in what is considered a "niche" genre, this duo was ranked as one of the top 20 bands on the original MP3.com. Over time, the Bards have also honed their act into live entertainment by adding comedy, with McKee being the "straight-man" to Gunn's antics. As a result, they have also become a familiar and popular act on both the renaissance faire and geek-show circuits.
The Bards had the honor of being headliners at the Oscar party for the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. They have also received an Austin Music Award for Best Novelty Band, and were the first Celtic band to ever win such an accolade. In addition to the many conventions, faires and music festivals the group performs at around the Austin area, they also have toured coast to coast, and developed a following of devoted listeners, referred to as "Nagians."
Santa Lucia
Brobdingnagian Bards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Placida è l'onda, prospero è il vento
Venite all'agile barchetta mia...
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Con questo zeffiro, così soave
Oh! Com'è bello star su la nave!
Su passaggieri, venite via!
In fra le tende bandir la cena
In una sera così serena!
Chi non domanda, chi non desia?
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Mare sì placido, vento sì caro
Scordar fa i triboli al marinaro,
E va gridando con allegria,
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
O dolce Napoli, o suol beato,
Ove sorridere volle il creato
Tu sei l'impero dell'armonia!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Or che tardate? Bella è la sera,
Spira un'auretta fresca e leggera,
Venite all'agile barchetta mia
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
______________________________
Over the sea shines a silver star.
Placid is the wave. Fair is the wind.
Over the sea shines a silver star.
Placid is the wave. Fair is the wind.
Come to my swift little boat,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
Come to my swift little boat,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
With this zephyr so gentle,
Oh, how fine it is to be on the ship!
With this zephyr so gentle,
Oh, how fine it is to be on the ship!
Get aboard, passengers! Come this way!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Get aboard, passengers! Come this way!
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
To eat supper among the sails
On an evening that's so serene,
To eat supper among the sails
On an evening that's so serene,
That doesn't need anything, that doesn't lack anything.
Santa Lucia. Santa Lucia.
That doesn't need anything, that doesn't lack anything.
Santa Lucia. Santa Lucia.
A sea so placid, a breeze so delightful,
Makes the mariner forget his troubles,
A sea so placid, a breeze so delightful,
Makes the mariner forget his troubles,
And he goes crying merrily,
“Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!”
And he goes crying merrily,
“Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!”
Oh, sweet Naples, oh, blessed soil,
Where Creation wanted to smile,
Oh, sweet Naples, oh blessed sun,
Where Creation wanted to smile,
You are the empire of harmony,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
You are the empire of harmony,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
Now why do you tarry? Fair is the evening.
It breathes a little breeze, fresh and light.
Now why do you tarry? Fair is the evening.
It breathes a little breeze, fresh and light.
Come to my swift little boat,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
Come to my swift little boat,
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia
The song "Santa Lucia" is an Italian folk song that praises the city of Naples and the beauty of the sea. It is a song that expresses the joy and happiness of the sailors who are sailing and enjoying the serenity of the sea. The first verse describes the beauty of a star shining over the sea, followed by the tranquility of the waves and wind, leading up to an invitation for passengers to climb aboard a boat. The second verse highlights the peacefulness of being on a ship, forgetting all about the hardships of life. In the third and fourth verses, the song praises the city of Naples, referring to it as the empire of harmony, where all is perfect and there is no lacks. The final verse is again an invitation, this time to come to the boat and join in the joyous singing of the sailors.
The song is very popular in Italy during the festival of Santa Lucia, which takes place on December 13th. The song was originally dedicated to the Christian martyr Santa Lucia, who was known for her kindness and love for the poor. The song has been widely popularized and played by orchestras all over the world, and its melody has been incorporated into other pieces of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Over the sea shines a silver star.
The sea is romantic and lovely, with the night sky sparkling above.
Placid is the wave. Fair is the wind.
The water is calm and the breeze is gentle, making for a smooth journey.
Come to my swift little boat, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
Visit the agile, fast boat for an enjoyable time.
With this zephyr so gentle, Oh, how fine it is to be on the ship!
The soft breeze is delightful on the boat and makes for perfect sailing.
Get aboard, passengers! Come this way! Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
Passengers are welcome onboard to enjoy the ride and experience the magic of the sea.
To eat supper among the sails On an evening that's so serene, That doesn't need anything, that doesn't lack anything. Santa Lucia. Santa Lucia.
Enjoying supper aboard in the peaceful evening is a perfect experience, without needing or lacking anything.
A sea so placid, a breeze so delightful, Makes the mariner forget his troubles, And he goes crying merrily, “Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!”
The calm sea and gentle breeze provide relief from sailor's worries, prompting them to joyfully chant “Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!”
Oh, sweet Naples, oh, blessed soil, Where Creation wanted to smile, You are the empire of harmony, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
Naples, a happy place where the world vibrates in harmony, is being celebrated by the sweet chant of “Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!”.
Now why do you tarry? Fair is the evening. It breathes a little breeze, fresh and light. Come to my swift little boat, Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia.
The beautiful evening with a light breeze is inviting to all to visit the agile boat and relish the beautiful scenery.
Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!
The beloved Santa Lucia is being celebrated with enthusiasm and joy by all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, TERRY RENDALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind