Stella stellina [English translation]

Born, yes I was born in the Africa of Italy

and somewhere, somehow I also grew up.

There was no guitar at that time,

there was no guitar to play

but blades of grass, as many as you wanted,

to snatch and then to blow away.

And yes, at night you could get engaged to the light

of the trains whistling in the distance.

Most likely all it started with the bus or the railway,

a man closed the door and the countryside flew away.

You had painted nails on peasant hands

and two coral earrings of when you were a young girl.

And you used to read books that only spoke of love,

besides, who knows what else you had in your heart.

And a year passes, a year flies, a year changes your face

and a city that bites, that protects, that threats.

And a man with a hat who accompanies you to the stop

and you taking his hand and thinking: now, yes, I’m really in love!

And it doesn’t matter if you realize it's not true,

there’s still time for another hand and for a more whole dream.

Take it as it comes, take it as you want,

don’t meddle in your life anymore, it isn’t your own business.

Take it as it comes, take it as it goes,

star, starlet,

falling star,

star, star.

• Artist:Francesco De Gregori
• Album:Viva L’Italia (1979)