Lyrics and English translation of "I giardini di marzo" di Lucio Battisti

Lucio Battisti’s I giardini di marzo (The Gardens of March) is one of the most iconic and emotionally evocative songs in the history of Italian music. Released in 1972 as part of the album Umanamente uomo: il sogno, the song was written by the legendary duo Lucio Battisti and Mogol. It stands out not only for its melancholic and immersive melody but also for its poetic lyrics, rich in symbolism and introspection.

Lyrics and English translation of I giardini di marzo di Lucio Battisti

Il carretto passava e quell’uomo gridava gelati
The cart was passing, and that man was shouting “ice creams”

Al ventuno del mese i nostri soldi erano già finiti
By the 21st of the month, our money was already gone

Io pensavo a mia madre e rivedevo i suoi vestiti
I was thinking about my mother and I was seeing her dresses again

Il più bello era nero coi fiori non ancora appassiti
The most beautiful one was black with flowers not yet withered

All’uscita di scuola i ragazzi vendevano i libri
At the school exit, the boys were selling books

Io restavo a guardarli cercando il coraggio per imitarli
I stayed watching them, trying to find the courage to imitate them

Poi, sconfitto, tornavo a giocar con la mente i suoi tarli
Then, defeated, I returned to playing with my mind’s worries

E alla sera al telefono tu mi chiedevi perché non parli
And in the evening on the phone, you asked me why I wasn’t speaking

Che anno è, che giorno è?
What year is it? What day is it?

Questo è il tempo di vivere con te
This is the time to live with you

Le mie mani come vedi non tremano più
My hands, as you see, no longer tremble

E ho nell’anima
And I have in my soul

In fondo all’anima cieli immensi
Deep down in my soul, immense skies

E immenso amore
And immense love

E poi ancora, ancora amore, amor per te
And then again, again love, love for you

Fiumi azzurri e colline e praterie
Blue rivers and hills and prairies

Dove corrono dolcissime le mie malinconie
Where my sweet melancholies run

L’universo trova spazio dentro me
The universe finds space within me

Ma il coraggio di vivere quello ancora non c’è
But the courage to live is still not there

Vocabolario e verbi imparati

1. Nouns

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• Carretto – cart
• Uomo – man
• Soldi – money
• Madre – mother
• Vestiti – dresses, clothes
• Fiori – flowers
• Tarli – woodworms (metaphorically, nagging thoughts)
• Universo – universe
• Coraggio – courage
• Malinconia – melancholy

2. Verbs

• Gridare – to shout
• Pensare – to think
• Rivedere – to recall
• Appassire – to wilt
• Tremare – to tremble

3. Useful expressions and concepts

• “I nostri soldi erano già finiti” – “Our money was already gone”
• “Le mie mani come vedi non tremano più” – “My hands, as you see, don’t tremble anymore”
• “Il coraggio di vivere quello ancora non c’è” – “The courage to live is still not there”

Themes of nostalgia and memory

One of the central themes of I giardini di marzo is nostalgia. The lyrics take the listener on a journey through the protagonist’s memories, particularly those of childhood and adolescence. The mention of March—a transitional month between winter and spring—serves as a metaphor for personal growth, change, and the passage of time. The song captures the bittersweet essence of remembering one’s past while recognizing the inevitable march toward the future.

Social and economic struggles

Another significant theme in the song is economic hardship. Lines such as il carretto passava e quell’uomo gridava “gelati” (the cart passed, and that man shouted “ice cream”) and mia madre e la gonna un po’ lunga (my mother and her somewhat long skirt) subtly hint at a modest upbringing and the financial struggles of the protagonist’s family. These details reflect the post-war Italian society, where many families had to navigate economic difficulties while holding onto dreams of a better future.

The symbolism of spring

The gardens of March symbolize renewal, hope, and the awakening of nature. However, in the song, this renewal is juxtaposed with a lingering sense of melancholy. Instead of a purely joyful rebirth, March serves as a reminder of unfulfilled dreams and lost innocence. The repeated imagery of wind (il vento sui prati) and changing seasons conveys the idea that life is constantly moving forward, often leaving behind moments and people we cherish.

The search for meaning

The lyrics also touch upon existential themes, exploring feelings of doubt and self-discovery. The line che anno è, che giorno è (what year is it, what day is it) expresses a sense of disorientation, as if the protagonist is lost in time, struggling to reconcile the past with the present. This existential questioning adds a layer of depth to the song, making it a deeply personal yet universally relatable piece.

A masterpiece of emotion

Through its poignant lyrics, masterful composition, and Battisti’s expressive delivery, I giardini di marzo remains a timeless classic. It speaks to the heart of anyone who has experienced the weight of memories, the struggles of growing up, and the desire to find meaning in life’s unpredictable journey. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its emotional resonance and the genius of Battisti and Mogol’s songwriting.

Even decades after its release, I giardini di marzo continues to enchant listeners with its poetic beauty and profound themes, solidifying its place as one of the greatest Italian songs of all time.

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