In 1952 she married juggler Erik van Aro (Gerd Eric Horst Scholz). He recognized her talent and accompanied her in her initial years of worldwide success, although they later divorced. In 1953, she made her first recordings with Kurt Edelhagen. Soon afterwards she achieved great success with songs like "Malagueña", "The Breeze and I", and "Dreh dich nicht um" with the Werner Müller orchestra. In 1955 she was featured on the "Colgate Comedy Hour" with Gordon MacRae. Between 1966 and 1972 she was a frequent guest on the Dean Martin Show. In 1972, she married the British pianist Roy Budd; they had a son, Alexander, but they divorced in 1979.
In Germany she was a major performer of Schlager music. There she recorded Cole Porter's "I love Paris" i.e. "Ganz Paris träumt von der Liebe", which sold more than 500,000 copies in (1954.) Like in other countries where she was popular, some in Germany mistakenly consider her a German singer.
Over the years, she has recorded or performed with many international stars, including Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Herman, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Buddy Rich, Sy Oliver, Claus Ogerman, and Chet Baker.
In 2001, she released a new album Girltalk with harpist Catherine Michel. She is also the mother of singer Eric van Aro, Jr.
La Golondrina
Caterina Valente Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What distant bourne seeks her untiring wing?
To reach it safe, what needle does she follow
When darkness wraps the poor wee storm tossed thing?
To build her nest near to my couch
I′ll call her;
Why go so far skies bright and warm to keep;
No evil should befall her,
For I'm an exile sad, too sad to weep
My fatherland is dear but I too have left it;
Far am I from the spot where I was born;
Cheerless in life, fierce storms joy bereft it;
Made me an exile life-long and forlorn
Come then to me, sweet feathered pilgrim stranger;
Oh! let me clasp you to my loving breast
And lest your warbling safe from danger,
Unwanted tears bring relief and rest.
The lyrics of Caterina Valente's La Golondrina contemplate the journey of a tiny, delicate swallow and wonder at the destination and determination of its flight. The singer muses on the bird's journey, asking where it's headed and what keeps it on course through even the darkest of nights. In contrast to the swallow's tireless quest, the singer is depicted as an exile who has left behind a homeland that is dear to them. They express a desire to bring the swallow close and keep it safe, as they too feel adrift and alone.
However, while the lyrics may be bittersweet in their reflection on loneliness and loss, they are also imbued with hope and a sense of connection. The singer sees something of themselves in the swallow, with both creatures showing an unwavering desire to navigate the world and find a place to belong. In inviting the bird to nest nearby, the singer reaches out to the natural world and seeks comfort in the beauty and wanderlust of the swallow.
La Golondrina has become a beloved folk song across much of Latin America, with its melancholic yet uplifting lyrics resonating with many listeners. The song has been covered by countless artists, from Mariachi groups to orchestral ensembles, and has been translated into numerous languages. Despite its wide reach and popularity, the song itself remains a gentle and intimate reflection on the human experience, with the swallow serving as a symbol of hope and the possibility for new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Whither so swiftly the timid swallow?
Where is the timid swallow going in such a hurry?
What distant bourne seeks her untiring wing?
What far-off place is the swallow seeking with its tireless wings?
To reach it safe, what needle does she follow
What guiding needle does the swallow follow to safely reach its destination?
When darkness wraps the poor wee storm tossed thing?
When the darkness envelops the small bird battered by storms?
To build her nest near to my couch I'll call her;
I will call her to build her nest close to my couch;
Why go so far skies bright and warm to keep;
Why go so far to seek bright and warm skies;
Safe would she be; No evil should befall her,
She would be safe; no harm would come to her,
For I'm an exile sad, too sad to weep
For I am a sad exile, too miserable to even cry
My fatherland is dear but I too have left it;
My homeland is beloved, but I too have left it;
Far am I from the spot where I was born;
I am far from the place of my birth;
Cheerless in life, fierce storms joy bereft it;
Life is bleak, robbed of joy by fierce storms;
Made me an exile life-long and forlorn
Turning me into a lifelong and lonely exile.
Come then to me, sweet feathered pilgrim stranger;
Come to me, sweet and feathered stranger;
Oh! let me clasp you to my loving breast
Let me hold you close to my loving heart
And lest your warbling safe from danger,
So that your singing is kept safe from danger,
Unwanted tears bring relief and rest.
Unwanted tears are eased and rest is found.
Writer(s): Annunzio Mantovani, Narciso Serradell
Contributed by Kaylee E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Staless74
on Cambia O Lasciami
Please correct the highlighted verse to: "Che diritti hai su di me?". Thanks.