Translation of the song Ponte Mannu artist Maria Giovanna Cherchi

Sardinian (northern dialects)

Ponte Mannu

English translation

The Big Bridge

Pro andare e pro torrare

To go and to come back

bi cheret tempus meda,

it takes much time,

pro andare e pro torrare

to go and to come back

a inue? boh?

where? dunno.

Pro andare e pro torrare

To go and to come back

est tropu ispendosu,

it’s too expensive,

pro andare e pro torrare

to go and to come back

a inue? boh?

where? dunno.

Ponìdemi unu ponte pro fagher prus in presse

Lay me a bridge so that I can

pro andare e pro torrare a domo mia,

go and come back home faster,

pro 'ier a mama mia, pro 'ier a babbu meu,

to see my mother, to see my father,

a jaju e jaja mia e totu sa zenìa.

my grandparents and my whole kinship.

Faghìdemi unu ponte

Make me a bridge

pro andare e pro torrare in terra mia,

to go and to come back to my country,

ponìdemi unu ponte mannu

lay me a large bridge

chi siat bellu e tostu ca no isco nadare,

that is beautiful and strong ‘cause I can’t swim,

faghide chi siat prontu a Mesaustu

take care that it’s ready for mid-August1

o su prus tardu in Carrasecare,

or at the latest for Carnival,

gai ‘onzi Pasca, festas de Nadale

so that every Easter and Christmas holidays

torrende e andende mi ponzo a cantare!

while coming and going I’ll begin to sing!

Ponte mannu, ponte bellu,

Big bridge, beautiful bridge,

ponte de sa vida mia.

bridge of my life.

Faghìdelu ca mi sun ispetende,

Build it because they are waiting for me,

non bio s’ora de arribare a domo mia.

I’m looking forward to arrive home.

Pro andare e pro torrare

To go and to come back

bi cheret tempus meda,

it takes much time,

pro andare e pro torrare

to go and to come back

a inue? boh?

where? dunno.

Pro andare e pro torrare

To go and to come back

est tropu ispendosu,

it’s too expensive,

pro andare e pro torrare

to go and to come back

a inue? boh?

where? dunno.

Ponìdemi unu ponte

Lay me a bridge

pro andare e pro torrare a domo mia,

to go and to come back home,

faghìdemi unu ponte,

make me a bridge,

ponìdebos, lu cherzo a Mesaustu,

get busy, I want it ready for mid-August,

est tropu tardu in Carrasecare,

for Carnival it’s too late,

gai ne’ pro Pasca, festas de Nadale

so at least for Easter and Christmas holidays

torrende e andende mi ponzo a cantare!

while coming and going I’ll begin to sing!

Ponte mannu, ponte bellu,

Big bridge, beautiful bridge,

ponte de sa vida mia.

bridge of my life.

Cando l’an a imbentare s’idea fit ja sa mia,

When they'll come up with it, the idea will already be mine

si lu faghides como lasso chi siat sa 'ostra cuss’idea.

if you make it soon, I’ll let that idea be yours.

Faghìdelu su ponte, faghìdelu ch’est tardu,

Build the bridge, build it because it’s late,

faghìdelu ca mi sun ispetende,

build it because they are waiting for me,

non bio s’ora de arribare a domo mia.

I’m looking forward to arrive home.

Pro andare e pro torrare

To go and to come back

bi cheret tempus meda,

it takes much time,

pro andare e pro torrare

to go and to come back

a inue? boh?

where? dunno.

Pro andare e pro torrare

To go and to come back

est tropu ispendosu,

it’s too expensive,

pro andare e pro torrare

to go and to come back

a inue? boh?

where? dunno.

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