I padri miei [English translation]

My fathers, the fathers I had

were serious and careful

gray clothes, calm and poised manners

even when having fun.

They talked with their housewives

with that old master attitude

that certain amount of coolness and superiority.

My fathers, poetry enthusiasts

in their old flats

under the pendant glass lamps

behind discrete covers

They talked and discussed

as old moldy Europeans

imprisoned by wisteria and stupidity.

My fathers, the fathers I had

in a sort of weird Italy

could never do without dreaming

the Italian eastern Africa.

My fathers resemble a little

the photos of old riflemen

who showed their dignity in color.

My fathers didn't inspire happiness

they closed the doors of everything

and for lively energetic boys and girls

they didn't have any respect.

They punished and forgave

as old school teachers

impressed by heart

and morality.

But they had some sort of consistence

and they seemed like people

people from a past

going away by itself.

• Artist:Giorgio Gaber
• Album:Polli d'allevamento