Junior Rasmussen
The wedding scene in The Godfather features several iconic pieces of music, including the Sicilian folk song C'è la luna mezzo mare, also known as Luna Mezzo Mare or Luna mezz'o mare. The song, performed by several members of the Corleone family, including Miss Corleone and an older gentleman, is a mother-daughter coming of age exchange filled with humorous and sometimes sexual innuendos. It tells the story of a young woman asking her mother for advice on marriage, weighing the advantages of different suitors. The song is traditionally performed in the tarantella musical style, known for its fast tempo and string instruments.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Song | C'è la luna mezzo mare, also known as Luna Mezz'o Mare |
| Translation | There's the moon amid the sea |
| Language | Sicilian |
| Style | Tarantella |
| Genre | Comic song |
| First Recording | 1927 |
| Notable Performances in The Godfather | Sung by Carmella Corleone and an older gentleman at Connie's wedding |
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What You'll Learn
'C'è la luna' is a traditional Sicilian folk song
"C'è la luna" is a traditional Sicilian folk song that has been covered by numerous artists over the years. The song, whose title translates to "There's the moon", is a comic tune with worldwide popularity. It is often styled in the brisk 6/8 "tarantella" musical style, which is characterised by its fast tempo and usually played with string instruments.
The song portrays a mother-daughter "coming-of-age" exchange, with the daughter asking her mother for advice on marriage. The mother proceeds to list the advantages of various suitors, who are often tradesmen like the butcher, fisherman, or shoemaker. The song is filled with humorous and sometimes sexual innuendos, making it a popular choice for Italian-American wedding receptions and other festive occasions.
The song was notably featured in the opening scene of the 1972 film "The Godfather", where Carmella Corleone and an older gentleman sing the song at Connie Corleone's wedding. Carmella sings the opening chorus but declines to sing the sexually euphemistic verses, leaving the older gentleman to happily sing the first of these verses, much to the amusement of the crowd.
Over the years, "C'è la luna" has been covered by artists like Rudy Vallée, Lou Monte, Johnny Puleo and His Harmonica Gang, The Mills Brothers, Marianne, Louis Prima, and more. It has also been adapted into English versions like "The Butcher Boy" and "Lazy Mary". The song's popularity has endured, with modern renditions by artists like Patrizio Buanne, Guido Luciani, and Famiglia Amica Valenza.
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The song is performed in a tarantella musical style
The tarantella is an Italian musical style known for its fast tempo, often played with string instruments. According to folk legend, the tarantella originated among southern Italian villagers who believed that the frantic circular dance could expel tarantula spider venom. The song "C'è la luna mezzo mare" (or "There's the moon amid the sea" in Sicilian) is a well-known Sicilian song that is typically performed in the tarantella style. The song is a mother-daughter "coming of age" exchange filled with amusing and occasionally sexual innuendos.
In the wedding scene of The Godfather, Carmella Corleone and an older gentleman sing "C'è la luna," a southern Italian folk song. The song is performed in the tarantella style, with Carmella singing the opening chorus for her daughter but declining to sing the sexually suggestive verses that follow. Instead, the older gentleman happily sings the first of these verses, eliciting laughter from the audience. The song's lyrics revolve around a young woman seeking advice from her mother on whom to marry, with the mother highlighting the advantages of each suitor.
The tarantella is a significant aspect of Italian culture and folklore, and its inclusion in The Godfather's wedding scene adds authenticity and a sense of tradition to the celebration. The fast-paced, energetic nature of the tarantella also sets the tone for a joyous and festive occasion, making it a perfect choice for a wedding dance.
It is worth noting that while "C'è la luna" is the primary song performed in the tarantella style during the wedding scene, another tarantella piece composed by Nino Rota, the film's scorer, can be heard when a child is dancing with Tessio. This piece is available on Spotify as "Connie's Wedding" by Nino Rota.
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The song's narrative centres on a mother-daughter exchange
The Italian song featured in the wedding scene of The Godfather is called "C'è la luna mezzo mare", which translates to "There's the moon amid the sea" in Sicilian. The song is a traditional Sicilian folk song, often played in the "tarantella" musical style, which is known for its fast tempo and is usually played with string instruments.
The song is lighthearted and humorous, with various comic and sometimes sexual innuendos. It has been a popular choice for Italian-American wedding receptions and other festive occasions due to its playful and joyous tone.
The version of the song featured in The Godfather was arranged and recorded by the New York City Italian Book Company in 1927. This version has also been performed by other artists, including Rudy Vallee, who released it as "Oh! Ma-Ma!" in 1938, and Lou Monte, whose version was titled "Lazy Mary" and peaked at No. 12 in 1958.
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'C'è la luna' has been covered by many artists
"C'è la luna mezzo mare" is a Sicilian folk song, commonly known in English as "C'è la luna". The song, which translates to "There's the moon amid the sea", is a mother-daughter "coming-of-age" exchange filled with comedic and sexual innuendos. It is often performed in the tarantella musical style, characterised by its fast tempo and string instruments.
The song has been covered by numerous artists since its first recording in 1927, with different titles and lyrics in English and several southern Italian dialects. Some notable covers include "Oh! Ma-Ma!" by Rudy Vallée, which peaked at No. 8 in 1938, and "Lazy Mary" by Lou Monte, which reached No. 12 in 1958. Monte's version was initially banned from British broadcasts due to its suggestive content, but it has since become a staple at New York Mets home games, played during the seventh-inning stretch.
Other popular renditions include "Oh! Ma-Ma! (The Butcher Boy)" by The Mills Brothers, "Oh Ma Ma Twist" by Louis Prima, and "Che-la-luna" by Prima as well. In the 2000s, the song continued to be covered, with artists like Patrizio Buanne, Guido Luciani, and Famiglia Amica Valenza releasing their versions.
The song's appearance in the opening wedding scene of The Godfather, performed by Carmella Corleone and an older gentleman, further solidified its place in popular culture. The song's lighthearted and playful nature, coupled with its catchy tarantella rhythm, has undoubtedly contributed to its enduring appeal and numerous interpretations over the years.
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The song is also featured in the 2010 video game Mafia II
The Italian song "C'è la luna mezzo mare" featured in the wedding scene of the 1972 movie The Godfather. The song is a traditional Sicilian song, also known as "Luna mezz'o mare" and "Oh! Ma-Ma!". It is a mother-daughter "coming-of-age" song with humorous and sometimes sexual undertones.
The song was also included in the 2010 video game Mafia II, as part of the fictional radio station "Empire Classic". The Mafia II soundtrack features 130 songs by their original artists, divided into two eras with separate playlists for 1945 and 1951, the periods covered in the gameplay. The game also features the Mafia II Orchestral Score, with 50 original compositions by Matus Siroky and Adam Kuruc, performed by the Prague FILMharmonic Orchestra.
The song "C'è la luna mezzo mare" has been recorded and released multiple times since its first recording in 1927, with different titles and lyrics in English and various southern Italian dialects. Some popular versions include "Oh! Ma-Ma!" by Rudy Vallee (1938) and "Lazy Mary" by Lou Monte (1958). The song's lighthearted lyrics centre around a young woman contemplating marriage with various tradesmen, ensuring its enduring popularity at Italian wedding receptions.
The inclusion of "C'è la luna mezzo mare" in both The Godfather and Mafia II underscores its cultural significance and enduring appeal within Italian-American communities.
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Frequently asked questions
The song is called "Luna Mezz'o Mare", also known as "C'è la luna mezzo mare".
Several members of the family sing the song, including Miss Corleone and an old man.
The song portrays a mother-daughter "coming of age" exchange, with the daughter asking her mother who she should marry, and the mother relaying the advantages of each suitor.
The song is a traditional Sicilian song, with related music and lyrics appearing as early as 1835. It has since proliferated with different titles and lyrics, both in English and various southern Italian dialects.
Popular recordings include "Oh! Ma-Ma!" by Rudy Vallee (1938), "Lazy Mary" by Lou Monte (1958), and "Luna mezz'o mare" by Patrizio Buanne (2005).
