The Cruel Youth

Gerri Gribi

Originale

Traducanzone di Andrea Buriani cantata da Gerri Gribi

THE CRUEL YOUTH There was a youth, a cruel youth, he lived beside the sea Six pretty maidens he drowned there by the lonely willow tree As he walked forth with Sally Brown, as he walked by the sea And evil thought came into his mind by the lonely willow tree "Turn your back to the waterside, your face to the willow tree "Six pretty maidens I've drowned here, and you the seventh shall be "But first take off your golden gown, take off your gown," said he "For though I'm going to murder you, I'll not spoil your finery." "Then turn around, you cruel young man. Turn around," said she "For it's not right that such a young boy a naked woman should see." He turned around the cruel young man, around about turned he And seizing him boldly in both arms, she threw him into the sea "Lie there, lie there, you cruel young man, Lie there lie there," said she "Six pretty maidens you've drowned here, now go keep them company." He sank beneath the icy waves, he sank beneath the sea No living thing cried a tear for him, but the lonely willow tree.

LA BALLATA DEL SALICE PIANGENTE C'era un giovane crudel, viveva in riva al mar. Di fronte a un salice annegò, sei donne in giovane età. Camminava con Sally Brown, un giorno in riva al mar e sotto il salice lui pensò quel che voleva far: Volse le spalle al mare per il salice guardar "Sei graziose ragazze qui io volli sacrificar "Togli la veste – disse allor - togli il vestito d’or. Perché - ora sai – ti ucciderò ma la veste conserverò” "Volgi lo sguardo al mare allor, girati e non guardar, "Perché un giovane non può mirar donna nuda in riva al mar." Lui le voltò le spalle allor, sorrise e si voltò. Lei, con coraggio, lo afferrò e in mare lo gettò. "Giaci – lei disse - giovin crudel, il mar tuo giaciglio sia, Sei giovani donne annegato tu hai, fai a loro ora compagnia." Nessun ricorda il ragazzo crudel, ma sei donne dal manto d’or, solitario ora .sul mar un salice piange per lor.