O mio babbino caro
Holly Stell Lyrics
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Mi piace, e bello bello,
Vo andare in porta rossa
A comperar l anello!
Si,si ci voglio andare
E se l amassi indarno
Andrei sui ponte vecchio
Ma per buttaarmi in arno!
O dio, vorrei morir!
Babbo, pieta, pieta!
Babbo, pieta, pieta!
The lyrics of Holly Stell's "O Mio Babbino Caro" are in Italian, and the song is a beautiful and heartbreaking plea from a daughter to her father. The first line, "O mio babbino care," means "Oh, my dear papa." The daughter then expresses her desire to go to the red door to buy a ring, but only if her love is reciprocated. If not, she would go to the Old Bridge to throw herself into the Arno River. She is torn apart by her unrequited love and begs her father for mercy, repeating "Babbo, pieta, pieta!" (Father, have mercy, have mercy!)
The song captures the intense emotions of a young woman in love, conveying her desperation and the overwhelming pain of unrequited love. The daughter's plea to her father is both touching and emotional, as she seeks comfort and protection from the man she trusts and loves the most. The song has become a beloved classic, sung by many opera singers and artists, including Holly Stell.
Line by Line Meaning
O mio babbino care,
Oh my dear father,
Mi piace, e bello bello,
I am in love, and it's wonderful and beautiful,
Vo andare in porta rossa
I want to go to the red door,
A comperar l anello!
To buy the ring!
Si,si ci voglio andare
Yes, yes I want to go there!
E se l amassi indarno
And if my love is in vain,
Andrei sui ponte vecchio
I would go to the old bridge,
Ma per buttaarmi in arno!
But to throw myself in the Arno River!
Mi struggo e mi tormento!
I am tormented and deeply troubled!
O dio, vorrei morir!
Oh God, I wish I were dead!
Babbo, pieta, pieta!
Father, have mercy, have mercy!
Babbo, pieta, pieta!
Father, have mercy, have mercy!
Contributed by Dominic A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.