Il mantello e la spiga - The Cape and the Spike

Sotto l'ombra sospiravi Pastore di ombre e di sotterranei segreti Parlavi di una vita trascorsa Come sempre le foglie cadono d'autunno Intona i canti dei veggenti cedi alla saggezza, alle scintille di fuochi ormai spenti Règolati alle temperature e alle frescure delle notti: Lascia tutto e seguiti Guarda le distese dei campi, perditi in essi e non chiedere altro Lasci un'orma attraverso cui tu stesso ti segui nel tempo e ti riconosci Correvi con la biga nei circhi E fosti pure un'ape delicata Il gentile mantello che coprì le spalle di qualcuno Lascia tutto e seguiti I tuoi occhi dunque trascorrono svagati Ed ozi come una spiga Come sempre le foglie cadono d'autunno Intona i canti dei veggenti cedi alla saggezza, alle scintille di fuochi ormai spenti Règolati alle temperature e alle frescure delle notti: Lascia tutto e seguiti Il mantello e la spiga © 1998 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro

Under the shadow you sighed, shepherd of shadows and subterranean secrets. You spoke of a life spent. As always, the leaves fall in autumn. Intone the chants of the seers, yield to the wisdom, to the sparks of fires long spent. Give yourself to the temperatures and freshness of the nights: leave everything and follow yourself. Watch the expanses of the fields lost in themselves, and don’t ask for something else. Leave a footprint by which you follow yourself in time and recognize yourself. You ran with the chariot in the circuses and you were also a delicate bee, the nice cape that covered someone’s shoulders. Leave everything and follow yourself. Your eyes therefore spend the time vacant and idle like a spike. As always, the leaves fall in autumn. Intone the chants of the seers, yield to the wisdom, to the sparks of fires by now spent. Give yourself to the temperatures and freshness of the nights: leave everything and follow yourself. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Gommalacca (Shellac) was released in 1998. The lyrics were by the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro, with Battiato's input on the first four songs. For Gommalacca, Battiato embraced music technology, using loops, sampling, synths and electric guitars to create a techno rock masterpiece - the album reached #1 on the charts and was recognized with the prestigious Targa Tenco award for best album of the year.

Back to Album List         Back to Song List