Vita sociale [La ballata del progresso] [English translation]

If you, sir, knew what social life is

you wouldn't be here bothering me

to let you pass.

If you knew how to be a civilized man

you would wait for your turn

like everyone else.

- Listen, you don't know who I am:

I am Lord So-and-so,

minister So-and- so is my relative!

- I am sorry, this makes no difference,

you can go tell your relative,

I won't be swayed.

Can't you see? This is social life:

lords or knights,

people are all the same to us.

You should learn to be a civilized man,

to be a little more polite

with those who do their duty.

- Listen, I beg you, let me pass,

if I haven't finished in half an hour

I am ruined!

- Sorry, there's nothing I can do,

there are others before you

who have a right to pass.

Can't you see? This is social life:

if I let myself be moved

everyone would come to beg me.

After all, in the end, a real civilized man

even if he has his problems

must exert self-control.

- Listen, one last thing...

I have ten thousand Lire 1 here...

and I really don't know what to do with them.

- Fine... since you insist,

we'll have some heart,

alright, you may pass.

But remember, and be grateful at least,

that many others in my position

would have asked for twenty thousand!

1. Italian currency at the time

• Artist:Luigi Tenco
• Album:Luigi Tenco Canta Tenco, De André, Jannacci, Bob Dylan (1972)