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Se volete un servidore giovin, lindo e accostumato, pien di zelo e di vigore, non poltrone nè sbadato, che sa farvi riverenza, bello e pronto egli è già qui... Non ci vede, non ci sente, e, per far le cose a modo, fa ben poco o quasi niente... Sol vi chiede per mercede uno sguardo per semmana e un sorriso a fin di mese... Via, sì poco chi mai chiese nell'offrir sua servitù? Se poi meglio un bel marito gradireste avere a lato, che non manchi sol d'udito, ma anche d'occhi e d'odorato, tutto miele e complimenti, bello e pronto egli è pur qui... Non borbotta, non impera, e, per far le cose a modo, esce il giorno e torna a sera... Sol vi chiede per mercede uno sguardo per semmana e un sorriso a fin di mese... Via, sposando, chi mai chiese questo solo e nulla più?
Text Authorship:
- by Alberto Donaudy (1880 - 1941) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Stefano Donaudy (1879 - 1925), "Se volete un servidore", published <<1918, from 36 Arie di Stile Antico, no. 25. [text verified 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Gretchen Armacost) , title 1: "If you want a servant", copyright © 2002, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Stuart Price
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 148
If you want a servant Young, tidy and well-trained, Full of zeal and energy, Neither a slacker nor careless, Who knows how to pay you respect, Handsome and prompt, he is already here... He is not seen, he is not heard, And, to do things properly, He does very little or almost nothing... He asks of you only, for recompense, One look a week And a smile at the end of the month... Come now, who ever asked so little In offering his service? If, then, rather a fine husband You would like to have at your side, Who lacks not only hearing, But also sight and smell, All honey and compliments, Handsome and prompt, he is likewise here... He doesn't mumble, he doesn't rule, And, to do things properly, He goes out for the day and returns in the evening... He asks of you only, for recompense, One look a week And a smile at the end of the month... Come now, who ever, marrying, asked Only this and nothing more?
Text Authorship:
- Translation from Italian (Italiano) to English copyright © 2002 by Gretchen Armacost, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
- a text in Italian (Italiano) by Alberto Donaudy (1880 - 1941)
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 28
Word count: 173