Alice [English translation]

Alice is watching the cats

and the cats are looking into the sun

while the world continues turning without haste.

Irene on the fourth floor is peaceful there

and is watching herself into the mirror

and lights another cigarette.

And Lilly Marlen, more beautiful than ever

is smiling and is not telling you her age

but all this Alice doesn't know.

“But I'm not taking part in this any more” shouted the groom and then,

everyone thought to themselves,

the groom has gone crazy or has been drinking

but the bride is expecting a baby and he knows it.

It isn't like this that he will go away.

Alice is watching the cats

and the cats are dying in the sun

while the sun little by little is approaching

and Caesar, lost in the rain,

has been waiting for six hours for his dear ballerina

and he remains there, and getting a little more wet,

and the midnight streetcar goes away

and all this Alice doesn't know.

“But I'm not taking part in this any more” and you are the crazy ones

everyone thought to themselves,

the groom has gone crazy or has been drinking

but the bride is expecting a baby and he knows it.

It isn't like this that he will go away.

Alice is watching the cats

and the cats are going round in the sun

while the sun is making love to the moon.

the Arabian beggar has something in his hat

but is convinced that it is a lucky charm.

He never asks you for bread or charity

and he doesn't have a place to sleep

but all this Alice doesn't know.

“But I'm not taking part in this any more” shouted the groom and then,

everyone thought to themselves,

the groom has gone crazy or has been drinking

but the bride is expecting a baby and he knows it.

It isn't like this that he will go away.

• Artist:Francesco De Gregori
• Album:Alice non lo sa (1973)