I am in love with the humble Sicilian donkey which once was something of a status symbol in the agricultural-based Sicilian culture of the last century. These animals are no longer seen much around the island as they are mainly kept by hobby farmers and those with a passion for animals.
I was absolutely thrilled to hear a wonderful folk song in praise of the donkey which has quickly become my five-year-old son’s favourite ditty to sing. It is an old Sicilian song from the period when donkeys were readily found around the island, a poor farmer has lost his beloved ‘siccareddu’ who has been killed. The words are quite heartfelt … ‘what a great voice he [the donkey] had, he seemed a great tenor, my beloved donkey, and when he sang he went [braying sound], how can I ever forget you.’
Poignant stuff.
It is a hilarious song, my son bray’s his heart out in the chorus, it’s truly wonderful.
A heartfelt ode to a Donkey in Sicilian, Italian and English.
U sciccareddu / L’asinello / Donkey
Avia nu sciccareddu / Avevo un’ asinello / I had a little donkey
davveru sapuritu / davvero saporito / really special
ora mi l’ammazzaru / adesso me l’hanno ammazzato / and now it’s been killed
poviru sceccu miu / povero asino mio / my poor little donkey.
Chorus:
Chi bedda vuci avia / Che bella voce aveva / What a beautiful voice he had
paria nu gran tinuri / pareva un gran tenore / he seemed like a great tenor
sciccareddu di lu me cori / asinello del mio cuore / donkey of my heart
comu ju t’hai a scurdari / come ti potrò mai scordare / how can I ever forget you
e quannu cantava facia: / e quando cantava faceva: / and when he sung he went:
iha, iha, iha… / iha, iha, iha… / hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw
sciccareddu di lu me cori / asinello del mio cuore / donkey of my heart
comu ju t’hai a scurdari / come ti potrò mai scordare / how can I ever forget you?
Quannu ‘ncuntrava ‘ncumpagnu / Quando incontrava un compagno / When he met another friend
subitu lu ciarava / subito lo odorava / he would get along with him
e dopu lu raspava / e dopo lo grattava / and he would caress him
ccu granni carità / con grande carità / with great tenderness
(Chorus)
Here are two versions I found on You Tube, the first is a traditional interpretation complete with extensive and impressive donkey braying the second is a more serious Operatic interpretation by American tenor Charles Castronovo which shows how versatile Sicilian music can be.
Wonderful post…wonderful song….thanks:)
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Thanks, I really enjoyed writing it I need to do more posts about music, it lightens up peoples lives so much …
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Nice post and great photos. I really miss Sicily. Oh the Piedmontese also love donkeys but not quite in the same way.
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There is something special about a Sicilian and his donkey isn’t there 😉
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Love this…I always worry about the donkeys with big fat tourists on their backs! They seem sweet and have lots of personality!
Great post – thanks!
Helena
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Thanks Helena, I think you are right to worry about the heavy tourists donkeys have to cart around but they are tough little guys, very strong, stubborn and forthright. I have meaning to pay a tribute to them for a while, happy you enjoyed it and great to hear your comment.
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Wow, that is some impressive braying! 🙂
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Thanks Linda, couldn’t resist writing a post about this lovable animal, so much fun.
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I love it! What could be better than a man singing about his donkey.
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Pretty unique hey 😉
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