Il vuoto - Emptiness

Tempo non c'è tempo sempre più in affanno Inseguo il nostro tempo vuoto di senso senso di vuoto E persone quante tante persone un mare di gente nel vuoto Year play rest my way day thing man your world life The hand part my child eye woman cry place work weekend your end case point government tu sei quello che tu vuoi the company my company ma non sai quello che tu sei Number group the problem is in fact money money money…… Danni fisici psicologici collera e paura stress Sindrome da traffico ansia stati emotivi Primordiali malesseri pericoli imminenti E ignoti disturbi sul sesso Venti di profezia parlano di Dei che avanzano Year play rest my way day thing man your world life The hand part my child eye woman cry place work weekend your end case point government tu sei quello che tu vuoi the company my company ma non sai quello che tu sei Number group the problem is in fact money money money…… Tempo non c'è tempo sempre più in affanno Inseguo il nostro tempo vuoto di senso senso di vuoto Danni fisici psicologici collera e paura stress Sindrome da traffico ansia stati emotivi Primordiali malesseri pericoli imminenti E ignoti disturbi sul sesso Il vuoto © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro The idea for "Il vuoto" came from a study done by Oxford on the 100 most used words in the world. Battiato took the top 20 and rearranged and built on them. They are sung by the members of the group MAB, who also played on the track.

Time, there is no time, always more in trouble. I follow our time empty of sense, sense of emptiness. And people, how many, so many people, a sea of people in the emptiness. Year play rest my way day thing man your world life the hand part my child eye woman cry place work weekend your end case point government (you are that which you want) the company my company (but you don’t know what you are) number group the problem is in fact money money money . . . Damages physical and psychological, rage and fear, stress, syndromes from traffic anxiety, emotional states, primordial discomforts imminent dangers, and unknown disturbances around sex. Winds of prophesy talk of Gods that advance. Year play rest my way day thing man your world life the hand part my child eye woman cry place work weekend your end case point government (you are that which you want) the company my company (but you don’t know what you are) number group the problem is in fact money money money . . . Time, there is no time, always more in trouble. I follow our time empty of sense, sense of emptiness. Damages physical and psychological, rage and fear, stress, syndromes from traffic anxiety, emotional states, primordial discomforts imminent dangers, and unknown disturbances around sex. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc is talking essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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I giorni della monotonia - Days of Monotony

Stavi giù distesa sopra il letto E ti lasciavi andare come alla deriva Passavamo così attraverso impervie vie I giorni della monotonia Tutti e due le labbra sulle tue Gli attimi vissuti intensamente Sono spenti Stare insieme a te fu il delirio Di una storia della nostra estrema diversità E mi innamorai ossessivamente Per distruggermi "..stringimi.." Mi sussuravi piano: "caro amore" Giorni di immensa meraviglia E giorni di cattività Tra noi due poi scoppiò il diluvio Lux eterna domine in excelsis deo Passavamo così attraverso impervie vie I giorni della monotonia Tutti e due le labbra sulle tue Gli attimi vissuti intensamente Sono spenti Sto con me tra noi due ho scelto me I giorni della monotonia © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "I giorni della monotonia" is a breakup song in the style of Battiato/Sgalambro.

You were down there stretched out on the bed, and you let yourself drift around. We passed thus across impervious ways – days of monotony. Both of the lips on yours, the moments lived intensely were spent. Being together with you was the delirium of a story of our extreme diversity. And I fell in love obsessively to destroy myself “..hold me..” you whispered to me: “sweet love.” Days of immense marvel and days of captivity. Then between the two of us the deluge fell. Eternal light of God in all the high places, Lord. We passed thus across impervious ways – days of monotony. Both of the lips on yours, the moments lived intensely were spent. I am with myself; between us, I chose me. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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Aspettando l'estate - Awaiting Summer

L'allegrezza del vento fuga i cattivi pensieri Mentre ogni ombra fugge via le giornate si accorciano La sera i fuochi inondano i dintorni di luce La tristezza non prevale su me Col canto la tengo lontana Le giornate si allungano Sto aspettando l'estate Anche se non ci sei tu sei sempre con me Per antiche abitudini Perchè ti rivedrò dovunque tu sia Aspettando l'estate all'ombra dell'ultimo sole Sospeso tra due alberi a immaginare L'estasi dei momenti d'ozio Voglio riscoprire aspettando l'estate Anche se non ci sei tu sei sempre con me E sono ancora sicuro che io ti rivedrò Dovunque tu sia Aspettando l'estate © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "Aspettando l'estate" introduces nature as a counterpoint to the sense of emptiness that is the theme of the album.

The joy of the wind dispels bad thoughts. While every shadow runs away the days become shorter. At night, fires flood the surroundings with light. Sadness doesn’t prevail over me, with singing I hold it distant. The days become longer, I’m awaiting summer. Even if you’re not here you are always with me, out of ancient habit, because I will see you again wherever you may be. Awaiting summer in the shadow of the last sun, suspended between two trees to imagine the ecstasy of idle moments I want to rediscover, awaiting summer. Even if you’re not here you are always with me, and I am still certain that I’ll see you again wherever you might be. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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Niente è come sembra - Nothing Is As It Seems

Rovinò lungo la china solo chi ha un destino rovina Non voglio che l'impuro ti colga Ti darò a una rondine in volo Niente è come sembra niente è come appare Perché niente è reale Ti darò a un ruscello che scorre o alla terra piena di mimose Qualcuno si ferma al tuo passare Niente è come sembra niente è come appare Perché niente è reale I was in my car watching for the bend I was looking for you Dal balcone ammiravo il vuoto che ogni tanto un passante riempiva... È stato solo un presentimento ti voglio ricordare che Niente è come sembra niente è come appare Perchè niente è reale Niente è come sembra © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "Niente è come sembra" was inspired by a Buddhist concept that nothing has an inherent existence.

He hurtled along the slope – only one who has a destiny hurtles. I don’t want the impure to take hold of you. I’ll give you to a swallow in flight. Nothing is as it seems, nothing is as it appears, because nothing is real. I’ll give you to a brook that runs to the land full of mimosas. Someone stops as you pass by. Nothing is as it seems, nothing is as it appears, because nothing is real. I was in my car watching for the bend, I was looking for you. From the balcony I admired the emptiness that every now and then replenishes a passerby . . . It was only a premonition, I love to remind you that nothing is as it seems, nothing is as it appears, because nothing is real. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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Tiepido Aprile - Mild April

Attraversi il bosco tiepido Aprile Consoli da sempre il viandante Pensieri leggeri si uniscono alle resine dei pini Si fa chiara la mente come nuvola Pensieri leggeri si uniscono alle luci e ai colori Al silenzio lontano delle nuvole Entri dentro le case tiepido Aprile Risvegli all'amore gli amanti Mi affido al vento ai profumi del tempo Agli umori delle stagioni a meridione Pensieri leggeri si uniscono alle resine dei pini Al silenzio lontano delle nuvole Tiepido Aprile © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "Tiepido Aprile" is a romantic lied, or art song, inspired by Battiato's love of nature.

You traverse the woods, mild April, consoling the traveler since forever. Light thoughts coalesce in the pine resins, the mind like a cloud is made clear. Light thoughts coalesce in the lights and colors, in the distant silence of the clouds. You enter inside the houses, mild April, awakening lovers to love. I give myself over to the wind, to the weather’s smells, to the moods of the seasons to the South. Light thoughts coalesce in the pine resins, in the distant silence of the clouds. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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The game is over

The game is over in the dark night I knock at your door When I reach the selfish stage I enjoy a certain pleasure But sometimes a vague fear which I cannot describe Dov'è che stiamo andando nel succedersi del tempo Avrai un progetto o no per la tua vita?... andiamo To ask the mind to kill the mind is like making the thief When I reach the selfish stage I enjoy a certain pleasure But sometimes a vague fear which I cannot describe Dov'è che stiamo andando nel succedersi del tempo Avrai un progetto o no per la tua vita? ... adesso Discover the nature of mind... no matter how many planets And stars are reflected in a lake no matter how many universes there are The game is over © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "The game is over" samples a song, "Huhu Namil," from an album called Songs of Mongolia, featuring throat singing and the national instrument, the morin khuur. Joining Battiato on vocals is Alice Dionis (Psycho Jeremy) of MAB.

The game is over in the dark night, I knock at your door. When I reach the selfish stage I enjoy a certain pleasure, but sometimes a vague fear which I cannot describe. Where is it that we’re going in the succession of time? Do you have a plan or not for your life? Let’s go! To ask the mind to kill the mind is like making the thief. When I reach the selfish stage I enjoy a certain pleasure, but sometimes a vague fear which I cannot describe. Where is it that we’re going in the succession of time? Do you have a plan or not for your life? . . . now! Discover the nature of mind . . . no matter how many planets and stars are reflected in a lake, no matter how many universes there are. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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Era l'inizio della primavera - It Was the Beginning of Spring

La Primavera cominciò un po' di tempo prima E l'erba si vedeva appena e noi stavamo bene Nell'aria mite del mattino le felci ancora chiuse Tu che abbassavi spesso gli occhi e sempre prima di me La Primavera cominciò all'ombra di betulle Come risposta al mio umore Lanciavi un'occhiata era l'inizio tra noi due Piangevo prima di te It was in the early spring The grass was barely showing The stream was flowing the air mild The trees were turning green It was in the early morning Shepherd's pipe as yet was silent The ferns were still tightly furled in the pine wood It was in the early spring In the shade of the birch trees When with a smile you lowered your eyes before me In reply to my love you lowered.... You lowered .... your glance Oh life - oh wood - oh youth Oh sunlight ..and hope La Primavera cominciò un po' di tempo prima E l'erba si vedeva appena e noi stavamo bene Era l'inizio della primavera © 2007 Franco Battiato "Era l'inizio della primavera" is Battiato's rendition in Italian and English of "It Was in Early Spring" by Petr Tchaikovsky, with lyrics by Aleksey Tolstoy. The English lyrics are sung by Lisa Masia of the group MAB, which was featured on the opening song of the album.

Spring began just a little earlier and grass was just appearing and we were well. In the mild morning air, the ferns still closed, you who often lowered your eyes, and always ahead of me. Spring began in the shadow of birches. In response to my mood, you cast a glance. It was the beginning for us. I cried before you did. It was in the early spring The grass was barely showing The stream was flowing the air mild The trees were turning green It was in the early morning Shepherd's pipe as yet was silent The ferns were still tightly furled in the pine wood It was in the early spring In the shade of the birch trees When with a smile you lowered your eyes before me In reply to my love you lowered.... You lowered .... your glance Oh life - oh wood - oh youth Oh sunlight ..and hope Spring began just a little earlier And grass was just appearing and we were well. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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Io chi sono? - Who Am I?

Io sono. Io chi sono? Il cielo è primordialmente puro ed immutabile Mentre le nubi sono temporanee Le comuni apparenze scompaiono Con l'esaurirsi di tutti i fenomeni Tutto è illusorio privo di sostanza Tutto è vacuità E siamo qui ancora vivi di nuovo qui Da tempo immemorabile Qui non si impara niente sempre gli stessi errori Inevitabilmente gli stessi orrori da sempre come sempre Però in una stanza vuota la luce si unisce allo spazio Sono una cosa sola inseparabili La luce si unisce allo spazio in una cosa sola Io sono. Io chi sono? La luce si unisce allo spazio in una cosa sola indivisibili Io sono. Io chi sono? Io chi sono? © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro

I am. Who am I? The sky is primordially pure and immutable while the clouds are temporary. Common occurrences disappear with the exhaustion of all phenomena. Everything is illusory, without substance. Everything is emptiness. And we are still here alive, here again from time immemorial. Here one never learns, always the same mistakes. Inevitably the same horrors, since forever as always. But in an empty room the light comes together with the space. I am a thing alone, inseparable. The light comes together with the space in a single thing. I am. Who am I? The light comes together with the space in a single indivisible thing. I am. Who am I? English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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Stati di gioia - States of Joy

Le azioni del mondo non influenzano il sole E i nemici è sicuro sono dentro di noi Com'è possibile restare ciechi per così lungo tempo Mi trovavo a lottare contro i miei fantasmi Spostandomi in avanti per quanto lo permette la catena Scopersi per caso lo stato che ascende alla Gioia Masticavo semi di mela alla luce del mattino Le increspature dell'aria sembravano pulsare Mi giungevano frasi, odori di erbe bruciate Scintille di fuochi suoni lontani Masticavo semi di mela alla luce del mattino Le increspature dell'aria sembravano pulsare Era l'estate del '63 un pomeriggio assolato Da un juke-box di un bar completamente vuoto "She loves you ye ye ye" Riti di purificazione dentro stati di Gioia Senza Luce né Oscurità Stati di gioia © 2007 Franco Battiato & Manlio Sgalambro "Stati di gioia" is based on an experience Battiato had in an ashram in India.

The actions of the world don’t influence the sun, and the enemies, it is certain, are inside of us. How is it possible to stay blind for such a long time? I found myself struggling against my phantasms, moving myself forward as much as the chain allowed it, discovering by chance the state that rises up towards Joy. I used to eat apple seeds in the morning light. The rippling air seemed to pulse. Phrases came to me, smells of burned grass, sparkles of fire, distant sounds. I used to eat apple seeds in the morning light. The rippling air seemed to pulse. It was the summer of ’63, a sunny afternoon. From a jukebox of a café completely empty – “She loves you ya ya ya.” Rites of purification inside states of Joy, without Light or Darkness. English translation © 2020 Dennis Criteser Il vuoto was released in 2007. Battiato said of the album, "All of this disc talks essentially of emptiness. And for "emptiness" I don't mean only that as it relates to thoughts or considerations of a philosophical order, but precisely the problems and circumstances that each one of us is obligated to live every day." And of course there's the flip side of this negative emptiness: the emptiness one can reach through meditation which then allows the realization of new possibilities. The lyrics are again a collaboration between Battiato and the Sicilian philosopher Manlio Sgalambro.

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