So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo
Richard Thompson Lyrics
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Al so ma basta mo'
So ben ch' è favorito
Ahimè, no' l posso dir
Saluti e baciamani
son tutti indarno a fè
Passeggia pur chi vuole
che 'l tempo perderà
"So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo" is a song by Richard Thompson, who is known for his unique blend of English folk and rock music. The song is sung in Italian and translates to "I know well that good times are here, but they won't last forever." Thompson's use of Italian language adds a touch of exoticism to the song, which can be interpreted in several ways.
The song's lyrics suggest a sense of fleeting happiness and impermanence. Thompson creates a vivid picture through his use of Italian phrases, conveying a sense of melancholy and uncertainty. The singer acknowledges the presence of good times but admits that they are ephemeral. He cannot explain why he feels he is favored and resists from expressing it. Thus, he simply greets everyone with handshakes and kisses, although they are all pointless. He concludes by saying that those who wish to roam can waste their time because they will ultimately come up empty-handed.
So Ben Mi Ca Bon Tempo's catchy melody and unique lyrics make it a memorable song. The lyrics' interpretation can vary, however, as some believe that it's about the fleeting nature of happiness, while others consider it a comment on the futility of pursuing success. However, the song remains a beautiful piece of music, and its gentle melody lingers in the mind long after the song is over.
Line by Line Meaning
So ben mi ch' à bon tempo
I know that I'm in good times
Al so ma basta mo'
But now it's enough for me
So ben ch' è favorito
I know that I'm favored
Ahimè, no' l posso dir
Unfortunately, I can't say why
Saluti e baciamani
Greetings and goodbyes
son tutti indarno a fè
are all in vain
Passeggia pur chi vuole
Let whoever wants to take a walk
che 'l tempo perderà
know that time will be wasted
Contributed by Alaina T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ken Soehn
on Love in a Faithless Country
At a show at the Culch (The Vancouver East Cultural Centre) decades ago, Thompson said the song was inspired by two British serial killers, who seemed to be inspiring each other through the newspapers. Now you know why it sounds so spooky.
Mark Apelman
on Devonside
Not sure what this song means, but I love the feeling of it.