Hear O SOLE MIO and other selections from Serenata. Written by Edoardo DiCapua /Mazzucchi/Capurro, and first copyrighted in 1898, O Sole Mio could be easily considered the Italian National Anthem. Its popularity around the world has made it one of the most recognized of Italian songs.

O Sole Mio is a Napolitan song and is written in a Napolitan dialect. The purists like to think it was written as a "Serenade" to be sung on summer nights under a balcony to a loved one (and that's how Gino Federici presents it on his CD Serenata even with the sound of crickets in the background ). But its interpretation by the most famous Italian tenors from Caruso to Gigli and Pavarotti - and another slew in between - has given the song almost an "aria" feeling much appreciated by audiences worldwide. One of the most famous presentations is the one by The Three Tenors in concert. Of course American audiences came to appreciate Elvis Presley's rendition of "O Sole Mio" through Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold's English lyrics "It's Now Or Never" which Gino Federici presents in a medley on Serenata combining both the Italian and English versions.

CHE BELLA COSA È NA IURNATA 'E SOLE
N'ARIA SERENA DOPPO NA TEMPESTA!
PE' LL'ARIA FRESCA PARE GIÀ NA FESTA...
CHE BELLA COSA NA JURNATA 'E SOLE

When I first saw you with your smile so tender
my heart was captured, my soul surrendered.
I spent a lifetime waiting for the right time
now that you're near the time is here at last!

CHORUS

MA N'ATU SOLE CHIÙ BELLO OI NÈ
O SOLE MIO STA 'NFRONTE A TE!
O SOLE O SOLE MIO
STA 'NFRONTE A TE
STA 'NFRONTE A TE

It's now or never come hold me tight
kiss me my darling, be mine tonight.
Tomorrow will be too late
it's now or never
my love won't wait.

QUANNO FA NOTTE E 'O SOLE SE NE SCENNE
ME VENE QUASE' NA MALINCUNIA
SOTTO A FENESTA TOIA RESTARRIA
QUANNO FA NOTTE E 'O SOLE SE NE SCENNE

Just like a willow we would cry an ocean
if we lost true love and sweet devotion.
Your lips excite me let your arms invite me,
for who knows when we'll meet again this way.