Ciribiribin
The Andrew Sisters Lyrics

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When the moon hangs low in Napoli
There's a handsome gondolier
Every night he sings so happily
So his lady love can hear

In a manner so bravissimo
He repeats his serenade
And his heart beats so fortissimo

When she raises her Venetian shade...

Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony;
Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree...

Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above,
Ciribiribin, Ciribiribin, Ciribiribin, they're so in love!

Overall Meaning

The Andrew Sisters' Ciribiribin is an Italian-themed romantic song about a gondolier who sings serenades to his lady love every night. The lyrics describe how the gondolier sings in a bravissimo manner, repeating his serenade as his heart beats fortissimo while waiting beneath his lover's balcony. Every night he hopes for her to acknowledge his love, to hold her tight, but unfortunately, she refuses his requests. Instead, she throws a rose and sweetly blows a kiss from above, a gesture that indicates they are deeply in love.

The lyrics of Ciribiribin are based on a Neapolitan song written by Alberto Pestalozza in 1898. The Andrews Sisters version was recorded in 1939 and became a hit during World War II, lifting the spirits of soldiers serving overseas. This song is an example of the Andrews Sisters' unique vocal harmony and gift for interpreting various styles of music.

Line by Line Meaning

When the moon hangs low in Napoli
The scene is set in Naples when the moon is low.

There's a handsome gondolier
A good-looking gondolier is present here.

Every night he sings so happily
He sings every night with sheer joy.

So his lady love can hear
He sings for his beloved so she can hear him.

In a manner so bravissimo
He sings with great vigor and excellence.

He repeats his serenade
He repeats his musical performance.

And his heart beats so fortissimo
His heart starts beating strongly.

When she raises her Venetian shade...
She acknowledges his presence by lifting the window blinds.

Ciribiribin, he waits for her each night beneath her balcony;
He eagerly waits for her under her balcony every evening.

Ciribiribin, he begs to hold her tight, but no, she won't agree...
He pleads to hold his beloved but gets turned down every time.

Ciribiribin, she throws a rose and blows a kiss from up above,
Nonetheless, she shows her love by throwing a flower and blowing him a kiss from above.

Ciribiribin, Ciribiribin, Ciribiribin, they're so in love!
Despite the struggles, they are madly in love with each other.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOWARD E JOHNSON, ALBERTO PESTALOZZA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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