Centocinquanta stelle [English translation]

One hundred and fifty stars in single file

in this damp night that tastes like marjoram

in this splendid night that tastes like mallow

one hundred and fifty stars in this hot night.

One hundred and fifty stars or one hundred and fifty-one

and me counting them in this lampblack sky

I count them again and again and let's do the tango

in this filthy night that tastes like mud.

Someone throws bombs and no one saw that coming

in this historic night without lapilli or lava

Someone throws bombs that look like toys

that kill people but spare the squirrels.

One hundred and fifty stars and more than a spark

in this hysterical night that tastes like chamomile

one hundred and fifty stars or one thousand and five hundred

and me counting them again and slowly falling asleep.

One hundred and fifty stars and a single star

in this hypocritical night that tastes like Coca-Cola

a night so friendly one can sleep in a sleeping bag

one hundred and fifty stars in the center of the sky.

• Artist:Francesco De Gregori
• Album:Titanic (1982)