I was just seven years old when my mother took me and my sisters to see the classic film Mary Poppins in 1964. I remember that in those days you could stay in the cinema and watch the next viewing, and that’s exactly what we begged my mother to do. What patience she must have had, and what a bore we must have been to the audience around us as we excitedly shouted “this is the bit where …”.

Little did I know that I’d one day be listening to my favourite songs from the film in Italian! My sudden interest in the Italian version of Mary Poppins was sparked off by my adventure as a spazzacamino (chimney sweep), which I recounted in this blog. Impressed by the interpretation of the chimney sweep song ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee’ I immediately tracked down my all time favourite Mary Poppins’ song: ‘Feed the Birds’. As a child, this song used to bring tears to my eyes, in fact I still find it quite moving, and I was curious to see how it would work in Italian.

I was not to be disappointed. The Italian version, ‘La Canzone della Buonanotte’ or ‘La Cattedrale’,  is a wonderful interpretation of the original, and a great example of how to translate in that it conveys the original sense and feeling of the song whilst perfectly fitting within the rhythm and melody. This is further enhanced by singer Tina Centi’s lovely voice.

Here below are the lyrics to the Italian version of ‘Feed The Birds (Tuppence a Bag)’, followed by my translation into English (in italic), and then the original English lyrics in grey. You can listen to the original song HERE, and the Italian version HERE:

‘La Canzone della Buonanotte’ or ‘La Cattedrale’

‘Feed The Birds’ or ‘Tuppence a Bag’

La Cattedrale, qual simbol d’amor
vi dà il benvenuto al mattin.
C’è una buona vecchietta che chiede al tuo cuor
due penny per gli uccellin.
Queste creature chi può non amar?
Trepide attendon lassù.
I piccoli al nido potranno sfamar
se qualcosa offri anche tu.

The Cathedral, that symbol of love
welcomes you in the morning
There’s a kind old lady who calls to your heart
’two pennies for the little birds’.
Who can’t love these creatures?
Trembling, they wait up there.
They can feed their little ones in their nest
if you offer something as well.

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul’s
The little old bird woman comes.
In her own special way to the people she calls,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs.
Come feed the little birds, show them you care
And you’ll be glad if you do.
Their young ones are hungry,
Their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you."

—

Solo un po’ voglion da noi.
Date, date, date anche voi.
Solo un po’ basta per lor,
bastan due penny dati di cuor.

They only want a little bit from us
give, give, you give too.
Just a bit is enough for them
only two pennies given with love.

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.
"Feed the birds," that’s what she cries,
While overhead, her birds fill the skies.

—

Tutto intorno alla chiesa ascolti le voci
degli angeli che da su
innalzano un coro e sorridon felici
se dai qualche cosa anche tu.

All around the church listen to the voices
of the angels who from up there
raise up a chorus and smile happily
if you give something as well.

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares.
Although you can’t see it, you know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares.

—

La vecchietta è sempre laggiù
dona, dona, due penny anche tu.
Va’ da lei con tanto amor
dona, dona, dona di cuor.

The old lady is always down there
give, give, two pennies as well.
Go to her with great love
give, give, give from your heart.

Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she’s calling to you:
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."