Daniele Silvestri is an Italian songwriter from Rome, where he was born in … Read Full Bio ↴Daniele Silvestri is an Italian songwriter from Rome, where he was born in 1968. After having participated several times in Sanremo Festival, where he became successful with the song "Salirò" in 2002, he played a concert with Inti Illimani (the famous Chilean group) last summer at Roma Rock Festival.

Ninetta Nanna
Daniele Silvestri Lyrics

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Bambina mia
dormi serena
che da domani
c'è una sorpresa
nun c'ho 'na lira
manco pe' piagne
pe' paga' l'ici
per paga' er gasse

Amore caro
caro ce costa
fingere di essere dentro una vita
priva di imposta

Ninetta bella
fammi un favore
dormi tranquilla
altre due ore
e al tuo risveglio
non mi chiamare
e anche l'anello
non lo cercare
e la collana
di pietre viola
non te l'ho detto
ma oggi ho scoperto
che era 'na sola

Se tu m'amassi
senza interessi

mi capiresti
mica lo so

Overall Meaning

The song "Ninetta Nanna" by Daniele Silvestri is a lullaby that portrays the struggles and challenges faced by a father trying to provide for his daughter. The opening lines "Bambina mia, dormi serena" - (My little girl, sleep peacefully) sets the theme for the song. The father is trying to comfort his daughter and also prepares her for the upcoming day. As a father, he is worried about their financial situation, as he doesn't have enough money to pay taxes and gas bills. The line "nun c'ho 'na lira, manco pe' piagne" (I don't even have a penny to cry) expresses the father's desperation in not being able to afford the basic things. However, he assures his daughter that he has a surprise for her the next day to divert her attention.

The song reflects on the hardships of the Italian working-class family in the 1990s. The father is struggling to make ends meet, and it has affected his relationship with his daughter, as he doesn't have enough time to care for her. The lines "Amore caro, caro ce costa, fingere di essere dentro una vita, priva di imposta" (Dear love, pretending to be inside a life, devoid of tax) express the father's desire to live in a world where he doesn't have to pretend to be someone else to make ends meet.

Overall, "Ninetta Nanna" is an emotional and touching song that portrays the love and struggle of a working-class father. It sends a strong message about the difficulties of life and how it impacts the family.

Line by Line Meaning

Bambina mia
My dear little girl

dormi serena
Sleep peacefully

che da domani
Because from tomorrow

c'è una sorpresa
There's a surprise

nun c'ho 'na lira
I don't have a penny

manco pe' piagne
Not even for crying

pe' paga' l'ici
To pay the property tax

per paga' er gasse
To pay the gas bill

Amore caro
Dear love

caro ce costa
And it costs us dearly

fingere di essere dentro una vita
Pretending to be in a life