Don Chisciotte [English translation]

[ Don Quixote ]

I've read thousands of stories about errant knights,

ventures and victories of the rights ones on the bullies

to be still closed with my books in this room

like a lazy coward, deaf to all sufferings.

In the world, today more than yesterday, injustice dominates

but we have no more news of heroic knights

for this, Sancho, we need above all a generous impulse,

even if it were just a crazy dream:

fetch me the saddle, for I promised

my brave commitment to my beloved Dulcinea del Toboso

and I promise, Sancho, I'll give you a castle,

but I don't accept a refusal, come saddle my horse!

You'll be my squire, my comforting shadow

and with this pure heart, with my shield and Rocinante,

I'll pierce with my spear the injustice day and night

as it's true that in La Mancha my name is Don Quixote

[ Sancho Panza ]

This fool isn't feeling well, he needs a doctor

he's never in a good mood, better not to contradict him

he is the saddest figure ever appeared on earth,

a fearless knight of a lonely war

began for love of a woman he knew

in an inn by the hour where she works as a prostitute

but, thinking he saw a real princess,

he wanted at all costs to make her that promise

and so for days, we took only kicks in the ass

not knowing where we are, without eating nor drinking

and this wild madman who is the most naive of children

just yesterday crashed himself against the blades of windmills

He is a stubborn, an idealist he has too many dreams in his brain,

instead, I'm more realistic and settle for a castle.

He will appoint me governor, and I will have plenty of lands

as it's true that I also have a heart and my name is Sancho Panza

[ Don Quixote ]

Sancho, get up, it's late, are you going to sleep again?

only cynics and cowards don't wake up at dawn

for the firsts it's indifference and contempt for values

and for the others it's reluctance towards duties.

The injustice isn't the only evil that's devouring the world,

the soul of the man have often hit rock bottom

but we must act quickly because as time passes

the enemy gets shadowy, and the skein gets entangled

[ Sancho Panza ]

About this, the shadowing of things,

a few days ago, when he saw those helpless sheep

he attacked them as if they were an army of Moors,

so at the end, not only dogs but even shepherds bite us:

it was as clear as day, isn't it, my Lord?

I may be a coward and sleepyhead, but I'm not a traitor

I only believe in what I see, and reality for me is the only

rule I have, as it's true that now I'm hungry

[ Don Quixote ]

Sancho, listen to me, please, I was also a realist

but now I almost don't care, and even if I have a good view,

the appearance of things, as you see, don't deceives me,

I prefer the surprises of this tyrannical soul

that with its tricks transforms the reality here before

but that opens to you new eyes and kindles your feelings.

Before today I was bored and wanted even to die

but now I'm a new man that is not afraid to suffer

[ Sancho Panza ]

My Lord, unfortunately I am just a poor ignorant

and about your abstract speech, I've understood little or nothing

but even if courage takes me off my laziness,

will we be able, by ourselves, to restore justice?

In a world where evil is at home and has always won,

where the capital rules nowadays more and more ruthlessly,

will you be able, with this nag and this idle squire,

to defeat the power and to save the whole world?

[ Don Quixote ]

Dear Sancho, do you mean that I should pull back

because the evil and the power look so gloomy?

And besides, should I give up a little of dignity,

get humble and accept that this is the reality?

[ both ]

Power is the garbage of the human history

and although we are only two romantic scraps

will spit our hearts in the face of injustice day and night

We are the heroes of La Mancha

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza!

• Artist:Francesco Guccini
• Album:Stagioni