Exploring the Best English Translation of These Mysterious Italian Lyrics

Have you ever encountered a verse so deeply emotional and so rich in metaphorical language that you couldn't help but wonder, how best can it be translated into English? We're here to dive into the world of Italian poetry, focusing on a set of lyrics that capture the essence of loss, redemption, and the enduring power of love. This article not only delves into the original Italian text but also presents a detailed analysis and an attempt at a more poetic English translation.

The Original Lyrics

I will entrust my words to the sea of time
Let it consume them a little
I may fall, but always and still
I will rise again on my feet
You who know not
Anything about us anymore
You who never understood
Of men, that I am here
I have always felt you near
Even now that you are not here
You who have nothing more of us
You who give me absence and don't know it
Whose eyes see everything
And whose feet rise in flight
I wait for you and in the meantime I will live
For as long as the heart dwells alone
This sky will be dark
I will entrust these words to a book already written
Which I will then reread
I will live like this
With dreams folded in my suitcase
Mixed in with my stage clothes
You who have nothing left of us
You who give me absence and don't know it
Whose eyes see everything
And whose feet rise in flight
....
I wait for you and in the meantime I will live
For as long as the heart dwells alone
This sky will be dark
Diverging roads come together
Can then become a thread
Without you I am what I am
Alone under a flood of stars
To each I will give a new name
And try to see the brighter side
You know I've been here for a while already
I wait for you and in the meantime I will live
For as long as the heart dwells alone
This sky is not light
Diverging roads come together
Can then become a thread
Without you I am what I am
I wait for you and in the meantime I will live
Until the heart is no longer alone
Until this sky is no longer dark

Stylistic Devices and Challenges

The original Italian lyrics are filled with deep emotions, vivid imagery, and intricate poetic devices. The staccato rhythm in the first verse, for example, is created through the repetition of phrases like "I may fall, but always and still," which conveys a sense of resilience and determination. However, these poetic devices can be challenging to translate into English, especially when trying to maintain the emotional impact and the staccato rhythm.

My Attempt at a Translation

Here is my attempt at translating these lyrics into English, aiming to preserve the emotional depth and the stylistic beauty of the original:

I will confide my words to the sea of time
Let it consume them a bit
Perhaps I will fall, but always and still
I'll rise back up on my feet
Visage of strangers, those who no longer
Know of us, those who never understood me
That I am here
I've always sensed your presence nearby
Even now, as though you're just a shadow
Those who have nothing more of us, those who
Give me absence without realizing it
Whose eyes have seen it all
And whose feet dart away
I wait for you, and as life goes on, I live
While my heart beats alone
This sky is a canvas of shadows
I will confide these words to a tome already written
Then read them once more
I will live with these dreams folded like a tiny suitcase
Mixed with my costumes
Visage of strangers, those who have nothing left of us
Those who give me absence without knowing
Whose eyes have seen it all
And whose feet dart away
I wait for you, and as life goes on, I live
While my heart beats alone
This sky is a canvas of shadows
Paths that diverge converge
Can then weave a tapestry
Alone under the starry night
I'll give each a new name
And try to find a brighter light
You know I've been here for a while
I wait for you, and as life goes on, I live
While my heart beats alone
This sky is a canvas of shadows
Diverging paths converge
Can then weave a tapestry
Alone under the starry night
I wait for you, and as life goes on, I live
Until my heart is no longer alone
And this sky is no longer dark

Conclusion

Translating these deeply moving Italian lyrics is both a challenge and an opportunity to capture the essence of the original poem. By focusing on the emotional core and the poetic devices used, one can create a powerful bridge between the original and the translated versions. My attempt at a translation is just one interpretation, and there are countless ways to portray the same emotions in English.

Additional Resources for Further Study

To further explore the world of Italian poetry and emotional lyrics, consider reading works by famous Italian poets such as Ghiberti or D'Annunzio. Websites dedicated to literature, such as Poetry Out Loud, can also provide additional context and resources.