Terraticu
Diana di l'Alba Lyrics
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Per lu piacè di tumbà ci quandu simu digià pochi
Cù li cappii è li fucili è l′estate cù li fochi
Ditemi chì male facciu, sterpe ingrate è insignurite
Quandu vò à caccià mi la fame cù le castagne impassite
Ch'è più nimu ùn vole coglie, troppu techje ch′è vo site
Almenu chì tanta zerga piatti un estru più fanaticu
È truvendu cum' è scusa ch'aghju un razzinu salvaticu
I razzoni ùn si toccanu, chì ghjè robba guasi mansa
Si ponu tene i puchjini, ingrassati à tutta mansa,
Senza libertà nè stimulu, basta ch′ella sia piena la panza
Ma chì Diu mi ne liberi, di issu destinu ùn ne vogliu,
A pensà mi ingabbiatu, mi face tantu endogliu,
Megliu hè fracà è more, cù lu curagiu di l′orgogliu
Quantu volte ne aghju vistu, da lu fondu à la mio tana
Chì ghjunghjenu cum' è famiti, bocca aperta, manu prufana
À impiastrà, rompe è purtà si in casa soia a machja sana
Ch′ella sia cum'ella sia, per ruspà o per fà mi guerra
Tutti iss′altri civilizati ch'investiscenu ancu la serra
Un ghjornu o l′altru, mortu eiu, si rumaranu la mio terra
The song "Terraticu" by Diana di l'Alba is a mournful lament that speaks of the desecration of nature by humans. The lyrics are in Corsican, and their poetic quality is underscored by the mournful melody that accompanies them. The singer states that those who come to these places only to hunt, kill and consume the land are cursed. They bring with them their rifles and their summer fires, destroying the fragile beauty of nature. The singer asks what sin they have committed in wanting to hunt down their hunger with chestnuts, which no one wants to pick. The land is too arduous and hostile, and its inhabitants too ungrateful and unworthy.
The singer laments at the sad state of affairs, where the desire to possess and exploit nature is so strong that they are willing to destroy everything in their path. Yet among those who approach the land with such malevolent intentions, there are some who are even more fanatical. They believe that they have the right to destroy the singer's heritage and take away what little they have. They have no sympathy for the singer or their people, and see their needs and desires only as obstacles to be overcome so that they can take hold of the land.
The song speaks to the harm that humans can cause to the environment and the devastating effects of greed and selfishness. The author uses the beauty of the Corsican language and melody to convey a deep sense of sorrow and loss. It serves as a warning to people everywhere that exploitation of the natural world may bring temporary benefits but it will eventually lead to destruction and devastation.
Line by Line Meaning
Maladettu sia quellu chì vene in li mo lochi
Cursed be the one who comes to my places
Per lu piacè di tumbà ci quandu simu digià pochi
To enjoy hunting us when we are already few
Cù li cappii è li fucili è l′estate cù li fochi
With hats and guns, and in summer with fires
Ditemi chì male facciu, sterpe ingrate è insignurite
Tell me what wrong I do, ungrateful and ignorant people
Quandu vò à caccià mi la fame cù le castagne impassite
When I go hunting with my empty stomach and dry chestnuts
Ch'è più nimu ùn vole coglie, troppu techje ch′è vo site
No one wants to pick them, too many thorns are around
Almenu chì tanta zerga piatti un estru più fanaticu
At least so much courage to face a more fanatical enemy
Di vulè stirpà li mei per pigliassi lu terraticu
To want to uproot me to take my land
È truvendu cum' è scusa ch'aghju un razzinu salvaticu
And finding as an excuse that I have a wild nature
I razzoni ùn si toccanu, chì ghjè robba guasi mansa
The reasons do not touch, because they are almost tame
Si ponu tene i puchjini, ingrassati à tutta mansa,
They can keep the chickens, fattened abundantly,
Senza libertà nè stimulu, basta ch′ella sia piena la panza
Without freedom or stimulation, as long as the belly is full
Ma chì Diu mi ne liberi, di issu destinu ùn ne vogliu,
But may God free me, I do not want this destiny
A pensà mi ingabbiatu, mi face tantu endogliu,
To think of being caged makes me very sad,
Megliu hè fracà è more, cù lu curagiu di l'orgogliu
It is better to die fighting, with the courage of pride
Quantu volte ne aghju vistu, da lu fondu à la mio tana
How many times I have seen, from the depths of my den
Chì ghjunghjenu cum' è famiti, bocca aperta, manu prufana
They arrive like famished ones, open mouth, dirty hands
À impiastrà, rompe è purtà si in casa soia a machja sana
To mess up, break, and bring it all to their homes in a healthy state
Ch′ella sia cum'ella sia, per ruspà o per fà mi guerra
Whether it is rough or to make war on me,
Tutti iss′altri civilizati ch'investiscenu ancu la serra
All those civilized ones who even invest in the mountains
Un ghjornu o l′altru, mortu eiu, si rumaranu la mio terra
One day or another, when I die, they will remember my land
Writer(s): a marielli, romani
Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.