Monte Canino (1915)
Monte Canino comprises one of the so-called 'Alpini Songs'. The Alpini troops were recruited
from among the inhabitants of the Alps, and were renowned for possessing a strong esprit de
corps. During the First World War they composed dozens of songs which makeup the
majority of Italian war songs. These songs are far from rhetorical, rather they are heart-felt
and sad, with a distinctive musical style. The Alpini songs gained popularity among the Italian
line infantry, who amended each song's lyrics to suit their own situation. After the war they
became part of the Alpine tradition and remain well known today.
Non ti ricordi quel mese d’Aprile,
quel lungo treno che andava al confine.
Che trasportavano migliaia degli alpini:
sù, sù correte: è l’ora di partir!
Che trasportavano migliaia degli alpini:
sù, sù correte: è l’ora di partir!
Dopo tre giorni di strada ferrata,
ed altri due di lungo cammino,
siamo arrivati sul Monte Canino
e a ciel sereno ci tocca riposar...
siamo arrivati sul Monte Canino
e a ciel sereno ci tocca riposar...
Se avete fame guardate lontano.
Se avete sete la tazza alla mano
se avete sete la tazza alla mano
che ci rinfresca la neve ci sarà.
Se avete sete la tazza alla mano
che ci rinfresca la neve ci sarà.
English Translation - Mount Canino
You do remember that month of April,
that long train heading to the front.
It carried thousands of Alpini:
let's go let's go, it's time to leave!
It carried thousands of Alpini:
let's go let's go, it's time to leave!
After three days of railroad,
and two more long on foot,
we arrived to Mt. Canino
and we had to rest under the cloudless sky...
we arrived to Mt. Canino
and we had to rest under the cloudless sky...
If you are hungry then look far
if you are thirsty take you cup in hand
if you are thirsty take you cup in hand
the snow will quench our thirst.
if you are thirsty take you cup in hand
the snow will quench our thirst.
Over there (1917)
America's best-known World War One song, Over There. Written by George M. Cohan the
song was widely performed by various artists (initially by Charles King) from its publication in
1917.
Cohan later recalled that the words and music to the song came to him while travelling by
train from New Rochelle to New York shortly after the US had declared war against germany
in April 1917. Over There proved a nationwide hit in the months immediately following
America's enthusiastic entry into the war. Performed by Nora Bayes in 1917.
Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Take it on the run,
On the run, on the run.
Hear them calling, you and me,
Every son of liberty.
Hurry right away,
No delay, go today,
Make your daddy glad
To have had such a lad.
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
To be proud her boy's in line.
Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Johnnie show the Hun
Who's a son of a gun.
Hoist the flag and let her fly,
Yankee Doodle do or die.
Pack your little kit,
Show your grit, do your bit.
Yankee to the ranks,
From the towns and the tanks.
Make your mother proud of you,
And the old Red, White and Blue.
(chorus sung twice)
Chorus
Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there.