Deborah Chan
In the film *The Godfather*, Mama Corleone begins to sing a song at Connie's wedding, before beckoning someone else to join her on stage. The song is called Ce La Luna Mezzo Mare, Luna Mezz'o Mare, or La Luna mezzo 'o mare, and is a comic Sicilian tarantella. It is about a mother and daughter talking about marriage, with the mother suggesting occupations of potential husbands, each of which has some relation to a phallic object.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | "Ce La Luna Mezzo Mare" or "Luna Mezz'o Mare" |
| Singer(s) | Mama Corleone, an old man, and other members of the family |
| Genre | Comic Sicilian tarantella |
| Language | Italian |
| Translation | A mother and daughter are talking about marriage, and the mother is suggesting occupations of potential husbands, each of which has some relation to a phallic object |
| Lyrics | "And the moon is in the middle of the sea: oh my mother I must get married -- oh my daughter who will we get? My mother I leave it up to you. (I) If I get you the butcher he will come and he will go, but he'll always hold the sausage in his hands... If he gets a bright idea he'll sausage you oh my daughter. (II) If I get you the fisherman he will come and he will go, but he'll always hold the fish in his hands... If he gets a bright idea he'll fish you oh my daughter." |
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What You'll Learn
Mrs. Corleone sings 'Luna Mezz'o Mare'
In the iconic film The Godfather, Mrs. Corleone, or Mama Corleone, sings the song "Luna Mezzo Mare" at Connie's wedding. The song is a comic Sicilian tarantella, a type of Italian folk dance known for its fast, upbeat rhythm and playful lyrics.
Mrs. Corleone begins the song, and it is then taken up by other members of the family, including an old man whose gestures and the lyrics cause the guests to laugh. The song is a back-and-forth between a mother and daughter, with the mother suggesting potential husbands for her daughter, each with an occupation related to a phallic object.
The lyrics, with their suggestive double entendres, are quite risqué. For example, if the daughter marries a butcher,
> "...he will come and he will go,/But he'll always hold the sausage in his hands.../If he gets a bright idea/He'll sausage you, oh my daughter."
Similarly, if she marries a fisherman,
> "...he will always hold the fish in his hands.../If he gets a bright idea/He'll fish you, oh my daughter."
The song is full of innuendos and double entendres, making it a playful and entertaining choice for the wedding celebration, causing laughter and enjoyment among the guests.
The scene in The Godfather where Mrs. Corleone sings "Luna Mezzo Mare" has become a memorable moment in cinematic history, capturing the joy and festivity of the wedding celebration.
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The song is a comic Sicilian tarantella
In the film The Godfather, Mama Corleone begins to sing a song at Connie's wedding, before beckoning someone else to join her on stage. The song is "Ce La Luna Mezzo Mare", also known as "Luna Mezz'o Mare", a comic Sicilian tarantella. It is about a mother and daughter discussing marriage, with the mother suggesting potential husbands and their occupations, each of which is related to a phallic object. For example, a butcher is associated with sausages:
> "If I get you the butcher he will come and he will go, but he'll always hold the sausage in his hands... If he gets a bright idea he'll sausage you oh my daughter."
The song is performed by several members of the family, including Miss Corleone, and an old man whose gestures cause the guests to laugh.
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It's about a mother and daughter discussing marriage
In the movie The Godfather, during Connie's wedding, Mama Corleone starts singing a song called "Ce La Luna Mezzo Mare" or "Luna Mezz'o Mare", and then beckons to someone else to join her on stage. The song is a comic Sicilian tarantella and is about a mother and daughter discussing marriage.
The mother suggests potential husbands and their occupations, with each suggestion relating to a phallic object. For example, if the daughter marries a butcher, he will "always hold the sausage in his hands". Likewise, a fisherman will "always hold the fish in his hands". The song continues:
> "If he gets a bright idea, he'll sausage you, oh my daughter."
The song is performed by several members of the family, including Miss Corleone, and an old man whose performance elicits laughter from the guests. The identity of this man has been a topic of discussion, with some speculating that he is Nazorine the Baker's father.
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The song includes sexual innuendos
In the film The Godfather, Mama Corleone sings "Ce La Luna Mezzo Mare" or "Luna Mezz'o Mare" at Connie's wedding. The song includes sexual innuendos, with lyrics that refer to phallic objects and sexual acts.
For example, in the song, a mother and daughter are discussing potential husbands, and the mother suggests occupations that have some relation to phallic objects. The lyrics in English are as follows:
> "And the moon is in the middle of the sea: oh my mother I must get married -- oh my daughter who will we get? My mother I leave it up to you. (I) If I get you the butcher, he will come and he will go, but he'll always hold the sausage in his hands... If he gets a bright idea he'll sausage you oh my daughter. (II) If I get you the fisherman, he will come and he will go, but he'll always hold the fish in his hands... If he gets a bright idea he'll fish you oh my daughter."
The song's suggestive lyrics and gestures caused laughter among the wedding guests and are considered to be sexual innuendos. The song's light-hearted and comic nature, as well as its focus on the mother's suggestions for potential husbands, adds a layer of humour and entertainment to the wedding scene in The Godfather.
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Anthony Corleone sings a different song
In the iconic wedding scene from The Godfather, Mama Corleone, or Miss Corleone, begins to sing "Luna Mezz'o Mare", a traditional Sicilian song. An old man then joins her on stage, and the song takes a comedic and somewhat risqué turn, with suggestive references to phallic objects and sexual innuendos. The song is met with laughter from the wedding guests.
However, in a different scene, Anthony Corleone, sings a different song, "Brucia La Terra", which translates to "The Earth Burns" or "The Land Burns". This Sicilian ballad has a very different tone and subject matter to the playful "Luna Mezz'o Mare". With lyrics written by Giuseppe Rinaldi, "Brucia La Terra" is a sombre reflection on the land of Corleone, Sicily, and its history of struggle and resilience.
While "Luna Mezz'o Mare" is a light-hearted and humorous folk song, "Brucia La Terra" is a poignant and emotional ballad. Anthony Corleone's choice of song showcases his deep connection to his Sicilian heritage and his respect for the land's history. The contrast between the two songs highlights the diverse musical traditions of Sicily, ranging from playful folk songs to heartfelt ballads.
The decision for Anthony to sing "Brucia La Terra" may have been influenced by the song's lyrical content, which reflects the Corleone family's own struggles and triumphs. The song serves as a reminder of the family's strength and resilience, mirroring their journey in the film.
By choosing to sing a different song, Anthony Corleone not only showcases his unique musical taste but also provides a moment of reflection for the family, honouring their Sicilian roots and the challenges they have overcome together.
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Frequently asked questions
Mrs. Corleone, or Mama Corleone, sings "Luna Mezz'o Mare" at the beginning of Connie's wedding.
The song's title translates to "The Moon is in the Middle of the Sea".
The song is about a mother and daughter discussing marriage. The lyrics are as follows:
> Oh my mother I must get married -- oh my daughter who will we get? My mother I leave it up to you. (I) If I get you the butcher he will come and he will go, but he'll always hold the sausage in his hands... If he gets a bright idea he'll sausage you oh my daughter. (II) If I get you the fisherman he will come and he will go, but he'll always hold the fish in his hands... If he gets a bright idea he'll fish you oh my daughter.
No, Anthony Corleone sings "Brucia La Terra" at Connie and Carlo's wedding.
