Translation of the song Ninna nanna de Anton'Istene artist Marisa Sannia

Sardinian (northern dialects)

Ninna nanna de Anton'Istene

English translation

Anthony-Stephen Lullaby

Ninna nanna pitzinnu, ninna nanna

Lullaby, my child, go to sleep,

ti leo in coa e canto a duru duru,

I’m holding you on my lap and singing in rhyme,1

dormi pitzinnu, dòrmidi seguru

sleep, my child, sleep safely

ca su cane ligadu apo in sa janna.

that I’ve fastened the dog outside the door.

Unu cadditu t'apo a comporare

I’ll buy you a little horse

cun sedda bella e cun frenu de oro;

with a fine saddle and gold bridles;

des'andare in Gaddura e Logudoro

you will go to Gallura and Logudoro2

e tot'a tie deen invidiare.

and everyone shall envy you.

Ninna nanna, ninna nanna…

Lullaby, my child, go to sleep…

Ti ponz'a coddu soga cun fusile

I’ll put on your shoulder a rope and a rifle

e duos canes ti peso pro catza;

and will raise for you two hunting dogs;

canes de Fonne, canes de arratza

two dogs from Fonni,3breed dogs

pro ti fagher difesa in su foghile.

to be a defence to your hearth.

E pustis ti regalo 'erbeghes chentu

And then I’ll give you one hundred sheep

e una tanca totu fiorida,

and a ground all flowery,

una 'este de pannu colorida

and a suit made of coloured cloth

e t'accumpagno fintzas a Gennargentu…

and will accompany you to Gennargentu…4

Dae innìe des bider custa terra

From there you’ll see this land

de Sardigna chi amo e dees amare

of Sardinia that I love and you should love,

sas linias luntanas de su mare,

the distant outlines of the sea,

s’isplendore lughente d’ogni serra.

the bright splendor of every mountain.

E poi ti do una fortuna manna

And then I’ll give you a great luck

pro chi mai in sa vida apas dolore.

so as you’ll never suffer any pain in your life.

A la cheres? M'iscurtet su Segnore!

Do you want it? May God hear me!

Ninna nanna pitzinnu, ninna nanna.

Lullaby, my child, go to sleep.

Da lì puoi vedere questa terra

From there you can see this land

di Sardegna chi amo e dees amare

of Sardinia that I love and you should love,

le linee lontane del mare