One of the most well-known Italian folk songs, Torna a Surriento (Come Back to Sorrento) was written in 1894, with music composed by Ernesto de Curtis and words written by his brother, Giambattista de Curtis.
The song speaks about the town of Sorrento (Surriento in Neapolitan), which is placed 30 miles from Naples on the other leg of the Bay of Naples and overlooks it in Southern Italy. The town has a view of Mt. Vesuvius, and sits amid lemon and orange groves, with its medieval monastery, basilica and churches. The town dates back several thousand years, with its walls built as early as 400 BC, some still-standing today.
The song can be understood from the standpoint of the town itself. With its picturesque Italian expressivity, Surriento boasts of its beautiful view of the ocean, and the sweet perfume of its orange groves. In an almost romantic manner, the town pleads the listener to stay, to not leave Surriento. The song communicates something of the amiability, uniqueness and charm that impregnated Catholic regions, with a nostalgia for the time when they were once-faithful to the foundations of Christendom.
We provide two versions of Torna a Surriento: the first is here interpreted by acclaimed Italian baritone, Ettore Bastianini; the second is interpreted by the Neapolitan mandolin group, Mandolini Napolitani.
Torna a Surriento, performed by Ettore Bastianini
Torna a Surriento, performed by Mandolini Napolitani
Neapolitan Lyrics:
Vir 'o mare quant’è bello,
‘Spira tantu sentimento,
Comme tu a chi tiene a' mente,
Ca scetato 'o faie sunnà.
Guarda gua' chistu ciardino;
Siente, sie’ sti sciure arance:
Nu profumo accussi fino
Dinto 'o core se ne va…
E tu dice: «I’ parto, addio.»
T’alluntane da stu core…
Da la terra de l’ammore…
Tiene 'o core 'e nun turnà?
Ma nun me lassà,
Nun darme stu turmiento.
Torna a Surriento,
Famme campà.
Vir 'o mare de Surriento,
Che tesoro tene nfunno.
Chi ha girato tutto 'o munno
Nun l'ha visto comm'accà.
Guarda gua' chistu ciardini,
Ca te guardano 'ncantate,
E te vonno tantu bene...
Te vulessero vasà.
E tu dice: «I' parto, addio."
T'alluntane da stu core
Da sta terra de l'ammore
Tiene 'o core 'e nun turnà?
Ma nun me lassà,
Nun darme stu turmiento.
Torna a Surriento,
Famme campà.
English Translation
Look at the sea, how beautiful it is,
It inspires so many emotions,
As do you, when you are remembered
Even awake you inspire dreams.
Look at this little garden
Smell the scent of these oranges,
No perfume more refined
Enters into your heart...
And you say: "I am leaving, goodbye."
You distance yourself from this heart...
From this land of love...
Do you have the heart to not return?
But do not leave me,
Do not give me this torment.
Come back to Surriento,
Make me live.
Look at the sea of Surriento,
What a treasure it is.
Even he who has travelled the whole world,
Has never seen a sea like this one.
Look at these gardens
That watch you, enchanted,
That love you so much...
They would like to kiss you.
And you say: "I am leaving, goodbye."
You distance yourself from this heart,
From this land of love,
Do you have the heart to not return?
But do not leave me,
Do not give me this torment.
Come back to Surriento,
Make me live.
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