Funiculi, Funicula is a famous Neapolitan song composed by Luigi Denza in 1880. Neapolitan refers to the language of the Kingdom of Naples, and it is a different language from modern Italian. The Kingdom of Naples ruled much of Southern Italy from 1282 to 1816. The unification of Italy into the modern nation state we know now didn't happen until 1861. Funiculi, Funicula was and still is one of the most popular Italian songs, and many know it from visiting Italian restaurants, where it seems to always be included in the background music for the diners to enjoy.
It was written to celebrate the opening of the first cable car that was built to transport people up Mount Vesuvius, which is on the outskirts of the city of Naples. The cable car was destroyed in an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1944. The city of Naples, whose population is well over 3 million, is still in great danger of suffering from another Vesuvius eruption.
This is an arrangement for viola with piano that we hope will help you learn Funiculi, Funicula quickly and easily. Pay special attention to the bowings on the left of the screen. There are many hooked bowings that will make performance easier.
Lyrics in English:
I went up this evening, Nanetta
Do you know where? Do you know where?
Where your hard heart can't reach
With scornful wiles! With scornful wiles!
Where the fire burns, but if you run
You can escape it! You can escape it!
It doesn't chase you nor destroy you
Just by a look. Just by a look.
Come on, come on! To the top we'll go!
Come on, come on! To the top we'll go!
Funiculi, funicula, funiculi, funicula!
To the top we'll go, funiculi, funicula!
It's climbed aloft, see, climbed aloft now,
Right to the top! Right to the top!
It went, and turned, and came back down,
And now it's stopped! And now it's stopped!
The top is turning round and round,
Around yourself! Around yourself!
My heart sings that on such a day
We should be wed! We should be wed!
Come on, come on! To the top we'll go!
Come on, come on! To the top we'll go!
Funiculi, funicula, funiculi, funicula!
To the top we'll go, funiculi, funicula!