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about

Originally written by Norbert Bugeja for *etnika’s “Żażu Klabb” concert in 2005, Valletta draws its inspiration from the many tales of love in Valletta’s entertainment culture of the past. A city port with a big heart is where the returned sailor goes looking for love, but instead meets his own demise.

lyrics

VALLETTA (Lyrics: N. Bugeja)

Wara sena fuq il-baħar
Rajt mill-bogħod id-dell tas-swar
Ħsibt li taħthom tistennieni
Hemm imħabba tarmi n-nar.

Rajt id-dwal tal-belt Valletta
Mingħalijja sibt is-sliem
Imma l-imħabba daħqet bijja
Flok il-bidu sibt it-tmiem.

Inżilt magħha Strada Stretta
Kulħadd jgħidli kemm hi fuq tagħha
Żewġ baħrin fill-belt Valletta
F'kemm trodd salib għalijja ġew.

Valletta fittixtek fin-namur
Valletta timlili qalbi bid-dulur
Ħanini ara kemm tajtni nkwiet
Xtaqt inħobb imma spiċċajna b'ħafna ġlied.

Il-baħrin telquli biha
In-nies ħarġet fuq il-bankina
Jiena mort naqbeż għalijha
Imma qlajt daqqa ta' mus.

Valletta fittixtek fin-namur
Valletta timlili qalbi bid-dulur
Ħanini ara kemm tajtni nkwiet
Xtaqt inħobb imma spiċċajna b'ħafna ġlied.

Il-baħrin telquli biha
In-nies ħarġet fuq il-bankina
Jiena mort naqbeż għalijha
Imma qlajt daqqa ta' mus.

Ilbierah Valletta għamiltni ferħan
Imma llum taħt is-swar waħdi u xurban
Valletta għan-namur iżjed ma niġix
Ħlief noħlom f'imħabbti llejla m'hinix.

Valletta
Valletta

**

After a year roaming the seas,
From afar the walls I saw,
Where I thought I’d find you waiting,
Yearning with a burning love.

The city lights of Valletta I saw,
And thought that I’d I found peace,
But it seems that love deceived me
Not a beginning, but my end I met.

Heading down to Strait Street,
All were keen to pry and comment,
Alas two sailors from the city,
Were headed straight for me.

Valletta, I came to you for love
Valletta, yet you fill me with sorrow
Oh my dear, what a mess you got me in,
I was looking for love, but ended in struggle.

Away with my girl, the seamen ran
Out on the kerb for all to see
But as I tried to win her back
One of them returned a stab.

Yesterday, Valletta, you gave me joy,
But today beneath your walls, all drunk and alone.
Valletta, I won’t come looking for love.
Tonight I can only dream, of my beloved.

Valletta, Valletta

credits

from Maddalena's Marvellous Tripfolk Klabb, released November 15, 2016
Alison Galea: voice, keys
Andrew Alamango: voice, electr. guitar
Walter Vella: tenor & baritone sax
Oliver Degabriele: double bass
Andrej Vujicic: cajón & katuba kit

license

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tags

about

*etnika Malta

An unlikely mix of artists, characters and instruments, *etnika's sound layers enchanting melancholy with traditional tunes & lyrics over effected guitars, retro-futuristic synths, unconventional percussion and footwork, deep, groovy bass, raspy sax, haunting whispery vocals and old Maltese instruments.

Expect a few detours, expect the unexpected, this 'tripfolk' band has a big heart.
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