Although "Santa Lucia" is an Italian song, it is well known in the English speaking world, including at times as part of the school curriculum; it has even been recorded - in Italian - by no lesser figure than Elvis Presley, who performed it with acoustic guitar accompaniment in the film Viva Las Vegas. A more forceful rendition was made by the great Italian tenor Enrico Caruso.
Technically "Santa Lucia" is a Canzone Napoletana (Neopolitan song), ie it heralds from Naples, and was originally in the Neopolitan dialect; written in 3/4 time, it is said to be the first Neopolitan song to be given Italian lyrics.
One of the many English translations, "Here In The Twilight," is by the American lyricist Howard Johnson (1887-1941) and is copyright by EMI Robbins 1932 (renewed 1960). There are translations in other languages, including Thai. Scandinavian translations refer to Saint Lucy and the winter-light festival. Saint Lucy (283-304 AD) was a martyr who is also known as Santa Lucia, but the Santa Lucia alluded to in the original song is actually a boat!
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