Translation of the song E Ballati Ballati artist Italian Folk

Sicilian

E Ballati Ballati

English translation

E ballati e ballati fimmini schetti e maritati,

Dance and Dance nubile women and married women

e si non ballati bonu non vi cantu e non vi sonu,

and if you don't dance well, I won't sing and won't play for you,

si non ballati pulitu ci lu dicu a lu vostru zitu.

and if you don't dance decently I shall tell your fiancés.

Sciù sciù sciù quanti fimmini chi ci sù.

I know, I know, how many women there are here.

'Mpari Peppi 'mpari Peppi

Friend Peppi, Friend Peppi

vi pigghiu la misura di li scarpi.

I'll take your shoe size

'mpari Natu 'mpari Natu

Fried Natu, Friend Natu,

attentu chi rumpiti u mattunatu.

be careful about breaking the brickwork.

E ballati cumpari Nateddu e vui cumpari cu tambureddu,

And dance, Friend Nateddhu, and you, Friend, with the tambourine,

e vui ballati cumpari Nateddu e faciti sempri accussì,

and dance, Friend Nateddhu, and you always do it like that,

ieu si ballu non stancu mai e mi scordu di li mei guai,

If I dance I never get tired and I forget about my troubles,

gnura si ca mi li scordu.

now yes I shall forget them

Ballanu lu palumbu e la palumba,

the dove and its mate are dancing,

parunu figghi di na sula mamma.

they look like children of a unique mother.