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O tu, Palermo
(Aria of Procida)
Giuseppe Verdi, I vespri siciliani (The Sicilian Vespers), act II
Translation by Miles Rind
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The setting is Sicily, under French occupation, in the year 1282.
Giovanni da Procida arrives on its shores after three years of exile.
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O patria, o cara patria, alfin ti veggo!
L’esule ti saluta dopo sì lunga assenza.
Il fiorente tuo suolo ripien d’amore io bacio.
Reco il mio voto a te, col braccio e il core!
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O fatherland, o dear fatherland, at last I see you!
The exile greets you after so long an absence.
With love I kiss your flowering soil.
I will keep my vow to you, with my arm and with my heart!
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O tu, Palermo, terra adorata,
a me sì caro riso d’amor,
alza la fronte tanto oltraggiata,
il tuo ripiglia primier splendor!
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O thou, Palermo, beloved land,
laugh of love so dear to me,
raise your much outraged brow,
reclaim your former splendor!
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Chiesi aita a straniere nazioni,
ramingai per castella e città.
Ma, insensibil al fervido sprone,
dicea ciascun:
Siciliani, ov’è il prisco valor?
Su, sorgete a vittoria, all’onor!
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I sought help from foreign nations,
I wandered through castles and cities.
But, insensible of my fervid urging,
every one of them said:
Sicilians, where is your former valor?
Go on, rise up to victory, to honor!
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O tu, Palermo, ecc.
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O thou, Palermo, etc.
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