Monte's first big hit came in 1954, with the release of his version of "Darktown Strutters' Ball." In 1962, Monte would release his first million-seller, "Pepino, the Italian Mouse." Sung in a pastiche of both Neapolitan and English, "Pepino" tells the humorous tale of a mischievous mouse who lives within the walls of a man's kitchen and who comes out at night to eat cheese, drink wine, frighten Lou's girlfriend when she comes over and befriends the cat, sent out to catch him.
The "flip side" of the single featured another Italian-American hybrid novelty song called "What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware?)." The song presumes that George Washington was cold, tired, hungry and without a change of underwear on his famous trip. At one point in the song, "Washington" complains that the pizzas his wife Martha baked were as "cold as ice." His solution? "Sell them to the Indians for only half the price." He then asks his boatsmen to row faster because "tonight I'm posing for my picture on the dollar bill."
Monte's other famous novelty records include 'Dominick the Donkey', a holiday staple in many Italian-American households and "Pasquale, the Italian Pussycat," the sequel to "Pepino."
After his death his son continued to sing his songs in concert for some time.
He contributed to the founding of the Lou Monte, Jr. leukemia laboratory at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in memory of his son who died of the disease at age 21.
Lazy Mary
Lou Monte Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mamma mia m'a maritare
Figlia mia a cu te dare?
Mamma mia pensace tu
Se ti piglia lu pisciaolo
Tssu vai, issu viene
Sempre lu peace a muno tiene
Se c'in gappa la fantasia ti pomperia figgiuzza mia
Oeh cumpa, na pompina ci haggia catta
(Seconda stanza)
C'è 'na luna mezz'u mare
Mamma mia m'a maritare
Figlia mia a cu te dare?
Mamma mia pensace tu
Se te piglio lu pulezia
Isse vai isse vene
Semp'a scuppetta mane tene
Se ce 'ncappa la fantasia
Te scuppettea figghiuzza mia
La lario la pisci fritto e baccalà
Oeh cumpa, na pompina ci haggia catta
(And now for you nice ladies and gentlemen out there
Who don’t understand the Italian language
I’d like to do two choruses in British)
Lazy Mary you better get up
She answered back I am not able
Lazy Mary you better get up
We need the sheets for the table
Lazy Mary you smoke in bed
There's only one man you should marry
My advice to you would be
Is to pay attention to me
You’d better marry a fireman
He'll come and go, go and come
Sempe la pompa mane tene
Se ce 'ncappa la fantasia
Te pomperia figghiuzza mia
Là lariulà pesce fritt'e baccalà
Uei cumpà 'na pompina c'eggi'accattà
O cummà ca me voglio marità
Trovame 'na uagliotta
Ca me voglio marità
Trovame 'na uagliotta
Ca me voglio marità
Trovame 'na uagliotta
Ca me voglio marità
Ehi
Lou Monte's "Lazy Mary" is a fun Italian-American folk song that tells the story of a young woman named Mary who is being urged by her mother to get married. The opening lines of the song, "C'è 'na luna mezz'u mare, Mamma mia m'a maritare," translate to "There's a moon over the sea, Mama wants me to get married." The mother is concerned about her daughter's future and is asking her who she will give herself to, implying that it's time for Mary to find a husband.
The song continues with the mother suggesting various men that Mary should marry. The first one is a fisherman, "Se ti piglia lu pisciaolo," who will always have a fish in hand, but then the mother warns Mary about his dirty habits. The mother then suggests a policeman, "Se te piglio lu pulezia," who will always carry a baton and will discipline Mary if she has any wild thoughts. The song ends with the mother reminding Mary about the importance of finding the right man to marry.
Overall, the lyrics of "Lazy Mary" are humorous and playful, poking fun at the Italian-American culture's obsession with marriage and the pressure put on young people to find a spouse. The song has become a beloved classic among Italian-Americans and is often played at weddings and other celebratory events.
Line by Line Meaning
C'è 'na luna mezz'u mare
There is a half moon hanging over the sea
Mamma mia m'a maritare
Oh my mother, I need to get married
Figlia mia a cu te dare?
My daughter, who should I give you to in marriage?
Mamma mia pensace tu
Mother, you think about it
Se ti piglia lu pisciaolo
If the fisherman takes you
Tssu vai, issu viene
He goes out, he comes back
Sempre lu peace a muno tiene
He always has the fish in his hands
Se c'in gappa la fantasia ti pomperia figgiuzza mia
If he gets your imagination, he'll seduce you my little girl
La lario la pisci fritto e baccalà
We'll fry the fish and cod
Oeh cumpa, na pompina ci haggia catta
Hey friend, let's find a bottle of wine
Se te piglio lu pulezia
If the policeman catches you
Isse vai isse vene
He comes and goes
Semp'a scuppetta mane tene
He always has a baton in his hand
Se ce 'ncappa la fantasia
If he catches your imagination
Te scuppettea figghiuzza mia
He'll beat you my little girl
Lazy Mary you better get up
Lazy Mary, it's time to get up
She answered back I am not able
She replied that she couldn't
We need the sheets for the table
We need the sheets for the table
Lazy Mary you smoke in bed
Lazy Mary, you smoke in bed
There's only one man you should marry
There's only one man you should marry
My advice to you would be
My advice to you is
Is to pay attention to me
To pay attention to me
You’d better marry a fireman
You should marry a fireman
He'll come and go, go and come
He'll be back and forth
Sempe la pompa mane tene
He always has the pump in his hand
Là lariulà pesce fritt'e baccalà
Let's fry the fish and cod
Uei cumpà 'na pompina c'eggi'accattà
Hey friend, let's find a bottle of wine
O cummà ca me voglio marità
Oh cousin, I want to get married
Trovame 'na uagliotta
Find me a girl
Ca me voglio marità
That I want to marry
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lou Monte, Paolo Citarella
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Donna
on Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-cat)
What is and how do you spell catoblasama spelling I know is wrong