La Canzone de lo Capo d’anno

During the bicentenary year (1808-2008), re-proposing the song “La canzone de lo capo d’anno” acquires very particular and special meanings.The meaning of the TRADITION as a baggage of thoughts, culture, sacredness to discover the heritage of the place we come from.The meaning of MEMORIES not only as a mental exercise to remember but as a work from the heart to appreciate its value.The meaning of REFLECTION. In other words, to learn the art of taking a moment to stop and dream of where to go next, in the middle of the everyday chaos. All of this, I would like to think as “La canzone de lo capo d’anno” Special thoughts and thanks to the theatrical group “Chiorm”; not only for the initiative that will turn 2008 into a more appreciative year, but also because it is the proof that every tradition has a value where there are men and women who know how to pass it on. To all of you, I wish that all of this will come true. Happy new year 2008. The Mayor.

GAETANO AMALFI’s biography Gaetano Amalfi was born in Piano di Sorrento on July 14th 1855 from Giovanni and Maria Iacono. We do not have a lot of news on his life. He graduated college in 1880 and his thesis “Il consenso dagli ascendenti nel matrimonio” was immediately published. Four years after his graduation, Gaetano Amalfi became a magistrate: first in Pendino as vicepretore, then in Taggiano as pretore. After his wife Rosalia de Angelis and his son Vittorio passed, we became pretore in Pagani and Torre Annunziata in 1888. In 1891, he re-married to Emma Sabbatini from whom he had three daughters: Maria, Oriele and Nerina. In 1898, he was proclaimed sostituto procuratore of the King in Matera, then in Avellino, Salerno, Nicosia and Naples. In 1908, Amalfi was general procuratore in Potenza and in 1909 he was transferred to Corte di Cassazione di Napoli where he died in 1928. Ernesto Branei said of him: “He was one of the most esteemed, active, impartial magistrates. He loved the truth without that professional deformation that is present in many others. He was the enemy of any hypocrisy and he did not care of moving towards. His fortune was a lot lower that his merit.” His books were donated, following Amalfi’s own wishes, to the National Library of Naples from his heirs: the wife Emma and the daughters Oriele and Nerina. On September 18th 1935 the director, Burgada, communicated –to the Department of National Education- that the donation had been delivered. The rearrangement of the collection took a long time because of the quantity of the volumes: about 4000. It was concluded in 1950. The manuscripts were organized by Alba Lenzi.

Amalfi’s interest was directed towards five well distinct cultural branches: law, folk, literature, philosophy and history. We can confirm that by looking at the documents that were gathered and his collection of books and booklets. “…Many people have contributed to enriching the National Library of Naples with people who lived between the 1800s and the 1900s: Onorato Fava, Gaetano Amalfi, Salvatore di Giacomo, Alfonso Miola and Franceso Lo Parco.

January 1st 2008

On January 1st 2008 we thought it was nice to re-propose the traditional song for the New Year “Canzone de lo Capo d’anno” and to begin the new year with the famous wishful song composed in Carotto for the beginning of the new year: 1700. It is only because of Gaetano Amalfi that we are able to share this old tradition nowadays. He was a researcher of customs and habits in our territory. The song is probably altered from the very original one due to new traditions, innovations and adaptations occurred throughout the centuries.To start a good year remind us of a more famous dialogue by Leopardi, but who knows, maybe it really is good luck if we gather in the square to celebrate our memories, our dear families all together in one song.The “Canzone de lo Capo d’Anno”, in its original version, should be present in every house where there is a tradition of singing a “homemade song” maybe even with the help of unusual instruments. Singers, women, men and poets involve people who do not want to participate and all together they sing the popular and never ending song.Old memories come back to mind, up to the 1960s kids used to carry on the tradition of donating a little branch of bay and throwing rocks to doors for well wishes. Now, there are only the memories of these traditions and the risk of losing the identity, the memory of a past with which we want to reconnect the dots. The theatrical group “A Chiorm” in Piano di Sorrento, which has elaborated a dramatization of the song, will guide the pleasant evening in Piazza Cota on Januray 1st 2008 at 6:30 pm. Together we can initiate the new year and the bicentenary in the best way.This year (January 9th 2008) we celebrate the date on which the City of Piano (at that time Meta, Piano di Sorrento and Sant’Agnello were part of the city) obtained the definitive separation to the City of Sorrento. The antagonism of that time is clearly overcome and so are the divisions and misunderstandings. The situations have changed and the globalization has amalgamated us. The memory of the previous generations should not be anachronistic and so should not be their work and commitment to make our country a great one. Currently we still have a slightly different version of an ancient song for the New Year entitled “Napoletana”. The adjective (napoletana) should make you believe that the song was written and sung in the capital of the Mezzogiorno and that it became more popular everywhere else later one.

We know from a fact (since we stuck our nose in old and dusty documents) that the song is carrottese, just like Manfredi Fasulo in his prestigious and almost not to be found ”Penisola Sorrentina”. Our research has conducted us deeper into finding out the true facts and we can affirm that the Canzone del Capodanno was composed in Carrotto for the first day of the year 1700. The original version was subject to variations and was changed during the course of many years. The substance, however, remains the same.

Sac. Alfredo AmmendolaDa “Il Dolce Nido”

BUON CAPO D’ANNO! –Happy New Year!-(Customs of the people in Piano di Sorrento) For a while, I wanted to say a few words about this topic, but I have always postponed for one reason or another. This time, I am ready: better late than never. Let’s proceed in order. It is New Year’s Eve and already two or three singers are wandering around houses and stores wishing “happy holidays” to everyone. Everyone continues the day and when evening comes songs and chaos become louder and louder. This is only the beginning, the masterpiece will come later. 1. When the night arrives and the streets are empty, people start hearing cymbals. The sound becomes louder and louder and goes on past midnight.Oh! What a nuisance for whom is costumed to go to bed early (I would like to use a popular saying) like a hen. But here, dear readers, I need to make a distinction.There are two ways to wish happy holidays. The first way belongs to the people of a middle class who do not want to be bothered. The second way belongs to people who are wealthy and love (at least a little) the feasts and the chaos. Let’s start with the first one, if you do not mind. In the first case we have auguratrici (usually two women) who, well covered in their shawls, wander around wishing a good beginning for the New Year. One plays the cymbal and the other one carries the so called tiesto (text) with a little fire covered by ashes. This is not randomly done. On the contrary, humidity slows down the parchment paper of the cymbal when the latter does not play a good sound. It warms up a little and once tight, it goes back to a pristine state. So, as we were saying, these women go from family to family, from door to door singing and playing in the following order. Once they arrive close to your front door, they first say a few wishes out loud, such

as: La bona sera e buon principio d’anno, etc.Then, while one plays the cymbal, they sing together a few parts of a manuscript that is printed and spread around the Peninsula. Once the first part is finished, they make their good wishes like many other singers in town, who usually know all the rich people’s names and try to ask for some money. They know when to sing and for what reason, they know their names and sing on their onomastico, if they do not know the names of all the people that live in a specific house, they surely know the names of the people in charge. The wishes are addressed as follows (more or less). Let’s pretend that the name of the father (of one family) is Giovanni. In this case, one of the women in the street loudly says: “A chillo caro don Giovanni!” and the other one says: “Ammen!”. Then, they address the wife. If they know her name, they say it, otherwise they go on: “A chella cara sposa!” and the other woman says: “Ammen!” It is pointless to say that, in this case, the cymbal stops playing. After these wishes, they sing other parts followed by the same sound and the common dialogue to wish a happy holiday to all the other people in the house until no one is left. With their unique charm, those coarse women are able to adapt words and well wishes to many different people.If, in the family, there is a soon to be doctor they say: “Puzzate sana’ ‘tutt’e malate!” or something similar. If there is a soon to be lawyer, or paglietta (as the people would say), they wish him to win all of his/her trails. If there is a Priest, they wish him to marry and baptize many people and celebrate many holidays. Maybe they also wish him to celebrate many funerals…but let’s not get out of topic here! This music (even though it can solicitude the pride of some people) is not the most pleasant and, in one way, what the Vottiero says can be adapted to the music: “While a singer sang, an old woman started to cry and when he screamed, she cried like never before. He asked her: ‘why are you crying?’ and she answered: ‘I used to have a little donkey that died…and when he brayed he used to sound just like you. Listening to you made me think about my little donkey. Therefore I cry.” So, when the family has enough or when the women stop singing and playing, the owner of the house walks outside (or sends someone), thanks the women and gives them a little present, usually some money. They repeat the good wishes and they leave, moving on to another house. They do this for the rest of the night. For this reason we can say: “Stanotte int’a stu luogo nu’ se dorme.” The situation does not change much when men sing for richer and wealthier families. The owner (or somebody else) walks outside and gives the women a couple of gifts: usually some wine and something sweet to eat. The only difference is that the women do not sing the entire song (because they have to go from one family to another), the men do. And now, I do not want to waste time so I am going to write the song here.The song is printed for many different uses and many times it is printed on flyers, as well. If some of my readers do not know the song or cannot remember it, this is a good way to keep it.

Let’s start.

Introduction

Good night and happy new yearTo all of you ladies and gentlemen gathered together!

We have come and will come back each yearTo wish you the best.

Clean your ears, open up your hearts,

Homes, pantries and cellarsThese are the cheerful days

We eat and drink and we do not think about anything.

SONGWe open the new year

With fire crackers and fire worksWe spend this night cheerfully.

The Messiah was born

Having only an ox and a donkeyTo keep him warm.

Since then, in this way

Days have passedTo tease and make fun of

The devil.

That little thiefUsed to keep us in his clutchesAnd he would not set us free

And he burnt us.

If the Baby had not come in timeFrom the sky and blessed us

With his altruism.

He wanted to free us allFrom the troubles, he suffered

And lost his life.

But we, forgetfully,

Are not even gratefulAnd we spend these days

Drinking cheerfully.

And you see it written,The bagpiper comes back

And he plays his bagpipe cheerfully.

He makes us rememberThe bright star,

The small graceful caveAnd the shepherds

Who big and small

Warned by the AngelRan happily to the stable

And who brings or sendsWith baskets or hamperAnd who goes adore him

With the face on the ground

And from a far away landEven the Wise Men

Left with full carriages

Who as soon as they sawThe illuminated sky

They said that the MessiahWas born

And with great courtesy

They saw the three Wise MenKneel down in front of a child

And angry rascal kingStarted to be afraidThat this little child

Could oust him

And because of his fears

That bad and mean soulGave orders to carry out

That massacre of childrenHe made sure they were decapitated

Like pigeonsTo be able to trap the Baby

More terror, more murder

You have never seen!...And he did not fall

At that moment

He was left with the lieAnd he obtained nothing

From killing all thoseInnocents

The Madonna had

A suggestion from the skyTo make her son escape

Immediately

We already know these thingsBut when this day comes

They are present in our memoryEven more

And for glory

They bring happinessSo much that there is joy

Everywhere

And only when you realizeThat the pines have come out

You cheer for the signOf Christmas

See now in every store

In every shop and street cornerThe merchandise is abundantly

Shown

Stores, stands and shops

Are decorated for the holidaysEven out on the streets

And you see lots of small boxes,hampers, fireworks, baskets,Straw baskets and big boxes!

You see hundreds of boxes

Full of eels and fish of every kind

All of this stuff seemsTo be able to last for a whole year

But it disappears immediately

People enter and walk outAnd run and go and comeAnd spend whatever they

Have the desire for

You cannot find the person who does not sendA whish or a present

It will be a bad ChristmasWithout sending a gift

The torture of the innocents

Is made with caponsAnd millions have been

Decapitated

When you find more festivityAnd more cheerfulness

We do not knowBegging for money

We come in joy with songs and

Melodies to wish a happyBeginning for the new year

The troubles and the torments

Will end soon

And you will never hearComplaints

I hope that you willSee a shining star

Just like the one of good wishes

I hope that you will haveLots of luck and thatAll of you could be

Happy with what you have

If you are a shop keeper,I wish that you could always have every goods

As the repetition of the waves in the seaAt each hour

If you are a seller,And have a shop

I wish that every pennyBecomes a nickel

If you are a lawyer

I am only telling youTo have hard headed clients

Because your earnings are thereAnyway either you lose, go to jail

Or make money

If you are a notaryI wish for you to make little wills,

Specifications and never ending contracts

Are you a fine engineer?Find very rich people

To build buildings and towers

Even better, at the city hallHanging with the nails

There, you always eat and leave full

If you are smart in making money

And want to change conditionsBecome a deputy or counselor

You will be Knight!

If you approve the government,The power of the money

Will come.

Are you a priest? I wish for youThat tomorrow makes you

A Rector or Monsignor

If you are a worker,Health, strength and accounts

This way you can go onAnd live

But you must avoid

The game and the barOtherwise in the morning

You will fast

If you are the owner of housesMay God save youFrom bad tenants

Like us

Time will run away if you do not payThe third part of a year of rentAnd it will take away the key

For just as many days

If you are a sailorI wish you’d never see a storm

Have quick and profitable journeys

Are you a doctor? Oh youAre tricking me. In reality,I wish you to treat and heal

Every sick person

This concoction I can say,If you are a pharmacist

May you cure every illness andEvery pain

If you are a player,

May a lucky card comeWith the wish to never mistake

In the game of cards

If you want to be protectedFrom the fortune,

You have to try your bestTo be a worker

Are you a little employer?I wish you to find a terno

Otherwise you will always beIn debt

Anyway, in whatever condition,May you have richness and the

Happiness you desire

And who is jealousMay they explode

And have a hernia behind

You have listed too muchAnd you are bored

And we are exhaustedAnd thirsty.

From here we do not moveThe face is way too tough

We have come on purposeAnd we want it

We desire

Chestnuts, figs and walnutsAnd other sweet things

And susamielle

Two or three basketsAre enough for my belly,We know good mannersAnd we are only a few

Before theseOpen your pantry,

We are friendsWe take everything.

Provolone cheese, prosciuttoAnd roast beef or a castrated,

A capon hot or cold

We know and we are obligedNot to leave you anything

To honor you

You are an ostentatious manOf great heart

And in every occasionYou do well

You will have pleasures

If they bothered youAnd you will want to see us

Next year

They need to find you betterAnd hopefully more cheerful

Than a shop of sweets.

We are left with asking the permissionTo raise our voices and go to meditate

The good night

And good night,Happy new year to everyone

And good night.

2. I will only speak for Piano di Sorrento and I will leave to others the task to speak about other traditions and make comparisons. However, I can say that there are not many differences. The song, the fables and accustoms, are basically the same with little variations. Even those songs that sound unique because they portrait a particular place…they are only unique because certain names have been changed and adapted to a specific town or territory. But let’s not forget the second part of our tradition! A few hours after midnight, we start another kind of wishes. Generally, men wander around town going from one door to another and violently throw a rock to each door. When they throw the rock they pronounce the following words out loud: “Tanto puozze guadagna chist’anno, quanto peso i’, ‘a preta e tutt’e panne.” Be aware that the stone has to be a limestone and never a tufa stone. This is important because it indicates the power of the stone: the bigger the stone, the better the wishes. It is for this reason that, sometimes, they throw rocks so big that the help of many people is required to remove them. They are so big that they usually damage very strong doors.Think about it! While somebody peacefully sleeps and dreams about enchanted castles…..all of the sudden they hear that loud noise and have to jump out of bed. Then, in the morning, the person who threw the rock to wish you all the best goes back to your house to ask for a prize, for something in return, for a present. They repeat the wishes: “Siate janco e cuntento ‘cu tutta la famiglia! Pe’ cientemila anne ve’ nce pozza trova’! ‘O Signore v’aonna ‘e bene! Puzzate campa’ quant’o pane e’ o vino!” This way, everyone is happy. You keep the well wishes and the poor person who wished you happiness will find a way to spend a happy New Year’s Day. There is a lot to hope for when the New Year starts in such a delightful way.Now, let’s talk about the rest of the traditions, to finish this new day. We are, as you know, on the first day of the New Year. A day during which people sing, play and wish the best to one another. Little bells carried by young men and women with bay leaves wander around town and all the houses wishing lots of happiness for the New Year. They exclaim: “’O lauro a vuje

e ‘a ‘nferta a me!” They usually ask for a little present. It is appropriate to donate something to only one person to have the rest of the people satisfied. The kids know how to share, just like good friends should.Do not think that they go around in a big group. Sometimes we only see two, three or four friends together. They are everywhere: in the squares, in churches and in the busiest streets.During the early hours in the morning they go knock on your door …and it is incredibly annoying! If you do not give them something in return, they do not stop knocking!! If you give something to one of them, other groups run to you like bees on honey! Afterwards, they are very happy and I can say that the following could be adapted to them and this occasion: Magnavano, vevevano, zompavano,Redevano, correvano e scialavano. And now, dear readers, I have to say goodbye and wish you happy holidays. I have bothered you and therefore I would like to ask you for a little something, some money, not a present! Piano di Sorrento

Gaetano Amalfi