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.
tijuana italiano
Lou Monte Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
Жайма шуак самал ести майдалап
Ойда-жокта шыга келдин жарк етип
Ак жузинди ай саулеси аймалап
Бейтаныс жан кунекейдей коркеммим
Кориндинде журегимди ортедин
Молдиретши елжиретши жанымды
2.Мен осылай озинменен жолыктым
Айдан асем куннен сулу кориктим
Журегимде жаткан музды мухитты
Жанарыннын жалынымен ериттин
Бейтаныс жан кунекейдей коркемим
Кориндинде журегимди ортедин
Молдиретши елжиретши жанымды
Тамсандырган тангажайып ертегим
Тунги аспанга жарасады ай карап
Looking up at the dark sky
Жайма шуак самал ести майдалап
With a gentle breeze blowing
Ойда-жокта шыга келдин жарк етип
Suddenly emerging from the night
Ак жузинди ай саулеси аймалап
The moon of the white horde shining bright
Бейтаныс жан кунекейдей коркеммим
Lonely soul like a wandering cloud
Кориндинде журегимди ортедин
My heart feeling heavy with longing
Молдиретши елжиретши жанымды
Guiding, leading my soul
Тамсандырган тангажайып ертегим
Struggling through the turbulence
Мен осылай озинменен жолыктым
I embarked on this journey alone
Айдан асем куннен сулу кориктим
Through the scorching sun and the cold night
Журегимде жаткан музды мухитты
Carrying the pain deep in my heart
Жанарыннын жалынымен ериттин
With the wound of love still fresh
Бейтаныс жан кунекейдей коркемим
Lonely soul like a wandering cloud
Кориндинде журегимди ортедин
My heart feeling heavy with longing
Молдиретши елжиретши жанымды
Guiding, leading my soul
Тамсандырган тангажайып ертегим
Struggling through the turbulence
Contributed by Adalyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ward Harrah
I'm an HVAC Tech in Springfield Ohio, and my buddy Owen Clark owns a plumbing business, and every time we run into each other, no matter where we are...we sing this!!! at first people think we're crazy (which is beside the point, lol) but end up getting applauded!!! Thanks for the great memories Mr. Monte!!! The old and the new ones!!!
shepardman666
Best version of this was my dad and brother (8 yrs old) in the 50's singing this in of course Italian. Miss ya dad.
Johnny Vack
I remember my Parents always playing this song and Lou Monte music in the house, when i was a kid growing up in the Bronx.Boy what great memories i get of my family, whenever i hear this song and other Lou Monte songs.
Chicken Nuggets
Dam! I just love this song! I play it on my record whenever I can!
mariann patterson
Loveit. Reminds me of my Mom& Dad. Very cool!
Chuck Celentano
I remember hearing my Brooklyn born dad, singing this to my mom!
Vitamindevo
Apparently my grandfather heard this song while living in Red Hook Brooklyn, and decided he needed to find out about this "Lyndhurst" that Lou mentioned in the song. He sooner than later moved his whole family to Lyndhurst where many still live to this day.
biloak71
Hey Trudy! your Golden Bears used to give us a tough time (Clifton) in the '50's. A good QB. Tommy Longo?? anyway Tom went on to play for the Giants. Lou Monte though was a great singing act. His style is full of energy, and Italian pride.
Yvonne Lipko
Lou Monte's Mom lived around the corner from my Grandma in Lyndhurst. I miss Lyndhurst (the way it used to be)
randydhome
My Grandparents were close too!