Vinicio Capossela is an Italian singer-songwriter born in Hannover (Germany… Read Full Bio ↴Vinicio Capossela is an Italian singer-songwriter born in Hannover (Germany) on December 14, 1965. He grew up in Reggio Emilia, where he studied music at the Conservatorio.

He has published one book (Non si muore tutte le mattine) and seven records, the last one being Da solo, released Friday October 17th, 2008.

His musical style is heavily influenced by Tom Waits and Paolo Conte.

Maddalena la castellana
Vinicio Capossela Lyrics

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Maddalena la castellana
Se lo sentiva giocare in seno
A Cecchina ha cercato consiglio
E adesso com'è che bisogna fare?
A Cecchina ha cercato consiglio
E la foggiana si deve chiamare

La foggiana che con segreto

Li combina tutti gli intrugli
La foggiana che con segreto
Li risolve tutti I garbugli
E che mette tutti a subbuglio
E mai indietro fa ritornare
E mai indietro fa ritornare

Che dolore, che tremore
Non c'è posto più dove stare
Che dolore che tremore
Anche I reni le fanno male
E il sudore le scende a canali
E non ha più posto dove stare
E non ha più posto dove stare

Mamma mamma quando lo incontrai
Mi credevo mettesse in trono
Me l'ha messo questo centrone
Grosso assai e mi fa penar
Grosso assai e mi fa penar

Maddalena la castellana
La foggiana ha dovuto chiamare
Quello che aveva le ha tolto di corpo
Con l'uncino della sua mano

E l'animella ha gettato per terra
Per l'abbraccio della scodella
L'animella ha gettato sul ciglio
Nel letto del fango vermiglio
L'animella ha gettato del figlio
Dentro il letto del fango vermiglio
E così se ne è andato l'imbroglio
Assieme alla fregola del coniglio

E così è finito l'imbroglio
Assieme alla fregola del coniglio

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Vinicio Capossela's song "Maddalena la castellana" tell a dark and haunting tale of Maddalena, a noblewoman who is grappling with a difficult situation. The opening verse describes Maddalena feeling a presence playing in her bosom, a sensation that prompts her to seek advice from Cecchina, a figure who seems to possess mystical knowledge or a cunning ability to navigate through deceptions and troubles. Maddalena seeks guidance on what to do next, entrusting in Cecchina and deciding to name this mysterious figure as "la foggiana." This introduces the character of "la foggiana," who is depicted as a skilled manipulator and solver of puzzles and enigmas, someone who causes turmoil and confusion wherever she goes but also offers solutions to complicated problems.

The following verses delve deeper into Maddalena's inner turmoil, portraying her suffering through pain, trembling, and discomfort. Maddalena is depicted as experiencing physical distress, feeling as if there is no place for her to find peace or solace. The lyrics evoke a sense of unease and helplessness as Maddalena grapples with the consequences of her actions and the influence of "la foggiana" on her life. The imagery of sweat streaming down in torrents and the depiction of physical discomfort add to the atmosphere of unease and chaos that surrounds Maddalena's existence.

The lyrics then shift to Maddalena reflecting on her initial expectations and hopes upon meeting a significant figure, possibly a love interest, whom she believed would elevate her status and bring her happiness. However, this individual turns out to be a source of great burden and suffering for Maddalena, causing her immense pain and distress. The use of the term "grosso assai" emphasizes the overwhelming weight and burden that Maddalena feels under this individual's influence, highlighting her struggle with their presence in her life.

The final verses of the lyrics depict a dramatic resolution to Maddalena's internal struggle, with "la foggiana" taking action to remove the source of Maddalena's turmoil. The imagery of "l'animella" being cast aside and the description of a crimson bed of mud suggest a violent and decisive conclusion to the conflict, symbolizing the end of deception and manipulation in Maddalena's life. The mention of a rabbit's droppings ("fregola del coniglio") further adds a layer of surrealism and intrigue to the narrative, culminating in the resolution of the tangled web of deceit and the restoration of order in Maddalena's world.

Line by Line Meaning

Maddalena la castellana
Maddalena, the noblewoman

Se lo sentiva giocare in seno
She felt him playing in her bosom

A Cecchina ha cercato consiglio
She sought advice from Cecchina

E adesso com'è che bisogna fare?
And now, what should we do?

La foggiana si deve chiamare
Let's call the foggiana

Che dolore, che tremore
What pain, what trembling

Non c'è posto più dove stare
There is no place left to stay

Anche I reni le fanno male
Her kidneys also ache

E il sudore le scende a canali
And sweat trickles down her channels

Mamma mamma quando lo incontrai
Mother, when I met him

Mi credevo mettesse in trono
I thought he would put me on a throne