Tarantella ’e ’na vota

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a musical gathering, a 'cuncertino,' that’s trying to recapture a lost spirit. It opens with a guitar lamenting to a mandolin about the current state of life, feeling 'appeased' and stuck in 'stifled times.' This sets up a desire to call out to others and play, to break free from this stagnation and bring back a livelier past. The central tension lies between the present weariness and the yearning for a vibrant, almost mythical past, evoked by the 'Tarantella d'e tiеmpe 'e 'na vota' (Tarantella of times gone by). The music itself, with its 'nacchere, tammorre e putipù,' and the onomatopoeic 'Dringhe, dringhe,' is presented as a force capable of awakening dormant emotions and senses. It aims to stir 'all the hearts,' quench 'thirsty mouths,' and bring back the simple joys of 'pizziche e vase' (pinches and kisses). The most striking element is the personification of instruments and the invocation of natural and cultural landmarks to signify a return to vitality. The guitar and mandolin initiate the call, while the 'viulino c'abballa' (violin that dances) and the chorus of 'chi canta e chi strilla' (who sings and who screams) create a chaotic, joyful scene. Even the formidable Mount Vesuvius is imagined to 'return to smoking,' a powerful metaphor for the reawakening of dormant energy and passion, suggesting that if the past can be resurrected musically, even nature responds. This song hits hard because it taps into a universal longing for a more vibrant, connected past, using the infectious rhythm of the tarantella as its vehicle. The lyrics suggest that music isn't just entertainment; it's a potent force for collective memory and emotional revival. The repetition of the tarantella theme and the energetic, almost frantic descriptions of dancing and singing create a palpable sense of urgency and celebration, making the listener feel the desire to 'turn back this life' and experience that lost exuberance.