"S'I' FOSSE FUOCO..."
by CECCO ANGIOLIERI
 	
(traduzione di Alessio Robotti e  Ellen G. Horovitz)


If I were fire, I'd burn the world,
if I were wind, I'd storm it,
if I were water, I'd flood all the country,
if I were God, I'd bury it deep;

If I were the pope, then I would be gay 
because I'd dope all the christians;
If I were the emperor, I'd be in earnest:
I'd cut all their heads off.

If I were death, I'd go around to see my father;
If I were life, the game would be over for him;
likewise I'd take care of my mother.

If I were Cecco, like I am and was,
I'd fuck over only the pretty women
and throw away the sickening shrew.


S'i' fosse fuoco, arderei 'l mondo,
s'i' fosse vento, lo tempesterei;
s'i' fosse acqua, i' l'annegherei,
s'i' fosse Dio, mandereil' en profondo;

s'i' fosse papa, allor sarei giocondo
che' tutti cristiani imbrigarei;
s'i' fosse 'mperator, ben lo farei:
a tutti taglierei lo capo a tondo.

S'i' fosse morte, andarei a mi' padre;
s'i' fosse vita, non starei con lui;
similemente faria da mi' madre.

S'i' fosse Cecco, com'i' sono e fui,
torrei le donne giovani e leggiadre:
le zoppe e vecchie lasserei altrui.