Luis Mariano became famous in France in the 50s with the light opera "La Belle de Cadix". His fame grew even more with "Le chanteur de Mexico" and "Violettes Imperiales", light operas on stage which became films. He enjoyed then a huge popularity and fans went even totally crazy about him.
He sang with Bourvil and Annie Cordy.
Luis Mariano had a unique voice and a unique style.
Luis Mariano died in 1970, totally used up after numbers of roadshows and tours, in the most dreadful financial situation, forgotten by all.
He was known to be an extremely cheerful person, enjoying life to the full, over generous with his friends and loving.
Santa Lucia
Luis Mariano Lyrics
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L'astre aux reflets d'argent
Sur le flot vacillant
Au loin se lève,
Non, plus de trêve !
C'est l'instant du plaisir,
Allons ! Il faut partir,
Quittons la grève
Se balançant déjà.
Santa Lucia !
Ah ! Guide-la,
Ma barque agile est là,
Se balançant déjà
Santa Lucia !
Santa Lucia !
Déjà la brise,
Favorable à nos vœux,
Dans les agrès joyeux
Flotte indécise.
La voile grise,
Sur les flots se penchant,
Rappelle en ce moment
La tour de Pise.
Gais passagers, hola !
Ma barque agile est là.
Santa Lucia
Nous guidera,
Gais passagers, hola
Ma barque agile est là.
Santa Lucia !
Santa Lucia !
Naples si belle !
Je crois que sur tes fils
Tomba du paradis
Une étincelle !
Ton sol ruisselle,
Ton ciel sourit toujours,
Tu bénis les amours,
Sois-nous fidèle !
Au golfe de Baïa
Le vent nous poussera.
Santa Lucia !
Nous guidera,
Au golfe de Baïa
Le vent nous poussera.
Santa Lucia !
Santa Lucia !
Mais tout se passe ;
Quand l'aube, comme ailleurs,
Aura de ses vapeurs
Blanchi l'espace,
Changeant de trace,
Nous reprendrons au jour
Le chemin du retour
Que rien n'efface.
Du golfe de Baïa
Ma barque reviendra.
Santa Lucia
La guidera,
Du golfe de Baïa
Ma barque reviendra.
Santa Lucia !
Santa Lucia !
The song "Santa Lucia" by Luis Mariano is a beautiful ode to Naples, the city that the song's protagonist is leaving behind in a boat (barque) led by Santa Lucia, the patron saint of the city. The song starts with the setting sun and the reflection of its silver light on the sea, and the singer knows it's time to leave the shore and go on a pleasure trip. He calls to his companions to come aboard the agile barque that sways in the water, always guided by Santa Lucia. The verse is filled with a sense of eagerness and adventure, with the singer and his companions ready to embark on a journey and let the sea take them wherever it may.
As the song progresses, it becomes evident that the scene is full of charming details that pay tribute to the beauty of Naples. The rising moon and the favorable wind are emblematic of the city's allure, whereas the Tour of Pisa is evoked in a moment when the singer's boat wavers on the waves. The verse is a perfect example of how the song seeks to depict the beauty of Naples in every phrase, creating a vivid, picturesque image that allows the listener to travel on this journey of the senses.
In conclusion, "Santa Lucia" is a beautiful song that captures the essence of Naples through its vibrant melody and its evocative lyrics. The song is a celebration of the sea, the city, and the companionship of Santa Lucia, who lights the way in every adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Le jour s'achève,
The day is coming to a close,
L'astre aux reflets d'argent
The celestial body with silver reflections
Sur le flot vacillant
On the swaying water
Au loin se lève,
Rises in the distance,
Non, plus de trêve !
No more respite!
C'est l'instant du plaisir,
It's the moment of pleasure,
Allons ! Il faut partir,
Let's go! We must leave,
Quittons la grève
Let's leave the shore
Ma barque agile est là,
My agile boat is there,
Se balançant déjà.
Already swaying.
Santa Lucia !
Santa Lucia!
Ah ! Guide-la,
Ah! Guide it,
Déjà la brise,
Already the breeze,
Favorable à nos vœux,
Favorable to our wishes,
Dans les agrès joyeux
In the happy rigging
Flotte indécise.
Is wavering.
La voile grise,
The gray sail,
Sur les flots se penchant,
Bending over the waves,
Rappelle en ce moment
Recalling at this moment
La tour de Pise.
The tower of Pisa.
Gais passagers, hola !
Cheerful passengers, hey!
Au golfe de Baïa
To the Bay of Baia
Le vent nous poussera.
The wind will push us.
Nous guidera,
Will guide us,
Je crois que sur tes fils
I believe that on your sons
Tomba du paradis
Fell a spark from paradise
Une étincelle !
A spark!
Ton sol ruisselle,
Your soil flows,
Ton ciel sourit toujours,
Your sky always smiles,
Tu bénis les amours,
You bless loves,
Sois-nous fidèle !
Be faithful to us!
Du golfe de Baïa
From the Bay of Baia
Ma barque reviendra.
My boat will return.
Mais tout se passe ;
But everything happens,
Quand l'aube, comme ailleurs,
When dawn, like everywhere,
Aura de ses vapeurs
Has of its mists
Blanchi l'espace,
Whitened the space,
Changeant de trace,
Changing traces,
Nous reprendrons au jour
We will resume in the day
Le chemin du retour
The way back,
Que rien n'efface.
That nothing can erase.
Santa Lucia La guidera,
Santa Lucia will guide us,
Santa Lucia !
Santa Lucia!
Contributed by Hudson R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.