1. Nce sta na giardenera, Se chiamma Luisella, Da ncopp'a l'Arenella Mme vene a ncojet@agrave;. Nce tene no giardino Chin'i rosa marina... Luvisè, sera e matina Non me venì a 'pprettà. 2. Pe chillo vecenato Non c'è n'auta nennella Comm'essa acconcia e bella Da farte nnammurà. Fa l'uocchie a zennariello Si fà la marranchina... Luvisè, sera e matina Non me venì a 'pprettà. 3. Lo naso è profilato, La vocca è n'arciulillo, Lo musso è russulillo, Na razia è lu parlà. Doje schiocche janche e rosse Sta 'nchella faccia fina... Luvisè, sera e matina Non me venì a 'pprettà. 4. Na capuzzella tonna, Capille a filo d'ore, Che 'nce le 'ntrezza Ammore Pe far la ciancià. E co chill'uocchie pare Na stella matutina... Luvisè, sera e matina Non me venì a 'pprettà. 5. Luvisè, si me te sposo, T'accatto li sciuqquaglie; Lazziette a trenta maglie Te voglio fa piglià: Te piglio no corpetto, Purzi na manteglina... Luvisè, sera e matina Non me venì a 'pprettà.

1. There is a gard'ner's daughter, Her name is Luisella, From up the Arenella, And she's a tease, I know! Her garden's full of rosemary, No flow'r of sweeter savor: Luvisè, why can you never Meet me, but you plague me so? 2. Among the neighbors' daughters There is not one to match her, If I could only catch her, I should be glad, I vow! And when she feels like flirting, She'll wink her eye so clever: Luvisè, why can you never Meet me, but you plague me so? 3. Her nose is quite bewitching, Over a mouth t' entice you, Her coral lips rejoice you, Whispering sweet and low, And on her cheeks red roses With white contend for favor: Luvisè, why can you never Meet me, but you plague me so? 4. Her head is neatly rounded Golden her hair, and braided By Cupid, who persuaded Her to her follies, too! No morning star will ever Shine brighter than her eyes do: Luvisè, why can you never Meet me, but you plague me so? 5. I'll give you, if you ever Marry me, Luisella, Fine earrings, so I tell you! Rings, and a necklace too. I'll buy you a mantilla, And love you, dear, for ever: Luvisè, why can you never Meet me, but you plague me so?

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Marzo, Eduardo. Songs of Italy; sixty-five Tuscan, Florentine, Lombardian and other Italian folk- and popular songs. New York: G. Schirmer, 1904. 120

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