[Verse 1]
Packed two shirts and a rusted key
Left the north wind biting me
A ferry cut through a slate-gray sea
Sicilia, wait for me
Mamma’s kettle, papà’s old chair
Dust in the window, salt in the air
I came for the hands that raised me strong
Now every small day pulls me along
[Pre-Chorus]
One bill late, one tire flat
Burnt the bread, laughed at that
Piano, piano, I learn the way
To carry tomorrow through today
[Chorus]
Hey, vita mia, don’t break me down
I’ve got family on this ground
Through the heat and the rain, through the worry and wine
I’ll stand by their door till the end of time
Forza, cuore, hold on tight
We make a little wrong feel right
From a northern road to the southern sun
I came home when the hard work begun
[Verse 2]
Morning market, three ripe figs
A neighbor arguing over broken digs
The scooter coughs, the clock runs fast
Still we share a plate when the money’s passed
Mamma says, “Figlio, sit and eat”
Papà taps time with his tired feet
The doctor’s note beside the bread
A thousand thoughts inside my head
[Pre-Chorus]
Laundry line, a leaking roof
Small repairs and stubborn proof
Piano, piano, day by day
Love is work, but it finds a way
[Chorus]
Hey, vita mia, don’t break me down
I’ve got family on this ground
Through the heat and the rain, through the worry and wine
I’ll stand by their door till the end of time
Forza, cuore, hold on tight
We make a little wrong feel right
From a northern road to the southern sun
I came home when the hard work begun
[Bridge]
Some nights the hills turn black and still
The sea keeps breathing past the hill
I miss the snow, I miss the old town
But these two voices won’t let me drown
Amore non è a grand parade
It’s medicine fetched, it’s debts repaid
It’s “buonanotte” after a long day
And staying when the easy road fades away
[Final Chorus]
Hey, vita mia, we’re still standing proud
Raise your glass and say it loud
Through the heat and the rain, through the worry and wine
I’ll stand by their door till the end of time
Forza, cuore, sing with me
This is where I’m meant to be
From a northern road to the southern sun
I found my home when the hard work begun
[Outro]
Piano, piano, the evening falls
Mamma’s laugh comes through the walls
Papà says, “Domani, we’ll see what comes”
And I answer, “Sì—here I come.”