Ciribiribin
Harry James And His Orchestra Frank Sinatra~Vocals Lyrics
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Every night he sings so happily, so his lady love can hear.
In a manner oh gravissimo, he repeats his serenade,
And his heart beats so fortissimo, when she raises her Venetian shade.
Ciribiribin, chiribiribin, ciribiribin.
Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony.
Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree.
Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above,
(musical interlude)
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love.
The lyrics of "Ciribiribin" by Harry James and His Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra, depict a scene taking place in the Italian city of Naples. The song tells the tale of a gondolier who each night sings a passionate serenade to his lover, who resides in one of the nearby balconies. The gondolier’s singing is described as "gravissimo," which means serious or heavy in Italian, emphasizing the depth of his affection for his love. With each refrain, the gondolier expresses his desire for her to join him in his gondola, but she keeps declining his advances. However, despite her repeated rejections, she drops a rose and blows him a kiss from above, fueling his hope that one day she will give in and join him in his quest for love.
The lyrics of "Ciribiribin" show the power of love, passion, and persistence. The song is written in a playful and catchy way, reflecting the seduction ritual between the gondolier and his lover, who is also attracted to him but is hesitant to take the plunge. The refrain "Ciribiribin" works like a charm for the gondolier and his lady- weaving a magical spell that keeps them both longing for each other. This romantic song has become a classic and continues to enchant listeners to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
When the moon hangs low in Napoli, there's a handsome gondolier,
As the moon is setting in the Neapolitan sky, a very attractive gondolier is present,
Every night he sings so happily, so his lady love can hear.
Every evening, he serenades his beloved with songs full of joy,
In a manner oh gravissimo, he repeats his serenade,
With solemnity, the gondolier repeats the sweet songs for his love,
And his heart beats so fortissimo, when she raises her Venetian shade.
His heart races when she rises her Venetian blinds to listen to his heartfelt songs.
Ciribiribin, chiribiribin, ciribiribin.
Ciribiribin, chiribiribin, ciribiribin, the sweet sound of his music fills the air.
Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony.
He waits eagerly for her under her balcony every night, yearning for her presence.
Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree.
He implores her to come closer and embrace him, but she denies him each time.
Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above,
Instead, she throws a rose and blows him kisses from above, showing her love from a distance.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they are deeply in love despite the obstacle of distance.
(musical interlude)
A short musical section marked by instrumental music.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they're so in love.
Ciribiribin, ciribiribin, ciribiribin, they remain so in love throughout it all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: EDGAR CARVER, ALBERTO PESTALOZZA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Trombonology
This vocal version may lack some of the flash of Harry's more famous instrumental rendering of his theme, but it swings as much or more. Too, it's fun to hear this Italian-American boy singing a song from old Italy -- even if he pronounces the title in a distinctly American way. Harry's swinging trumpet is always a delight.
@witkrag4953
My kind of music.Brings back so many happy memories Encore Maestro
@wmbrown6
Interestingly, this version of "Ciribiribin" was only on original pressings of the "All-Time Favorites By Harry James" "set." Not long after, it was replaced with the instrumental version recorded in April (presumably in response to Sinatra's then-declining popularity of the time).
@roseogrady8785
Gem.
@TyroneEpps
This song is hot ! 😊
@jourwalis-8875
Can´t recognize Frank Sinatra! Doesn´t sound like him at all!
@ianblakesley3349
Frank sounds very much like Jack Leonard.......but Tommy Dorsey still hired him!
@christophercanzoneri2962
@@ianblakesley3349Bing Crosby more than Jack Leonard.