Exploring the lyrics of two iconic Italian songs featured in Squid Game Season 2

An in-depth look at the meaning behind “Nessun dorma” and “Con te partirò”

The highly anticipated second season of Squid Game has delivered a mix of intense moments and unexpected surprises that have captivated audiences worldwide. Among these, a genuine touch of Italian culture shines through in the first episode, thanks to the inclusion of two iconic Italian songs that further enrich the series’ narrative and emotional depth.

“Nessun dorma”: The power of Italian Opera

The first Italian song that resonates strongly is “Nessun dorma”, the renowned aria from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot. This masterpiece symbolizes triumph and hope, with its famous line “All’alba vincerò” (“At dawn, I will win”) serving as a message of resilience and determination. Its inclusion in a pivotal scene amplifies the tension and solemnity, highlighting the seemingly insurmountable challenges faced by the characters.

Lyrics and translation of “Nessun dorma”

Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma!
No one shall sleep! No one shall sleep!

Tu pure, o Principessa,
You too, o Princess,

Nella tua fredda stanza,
In your cold room,

Guardi le stelle
Watch the stars

Che tremano d’amore
That tremble with love

E di speranza.
And with hope.

Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me,
But my secret is hidden within me,

Il nome mio nessun saprà!
My name no one shall know!

No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò
No, no, I will say it on your lips

Quando la luce splenderà!
When the light shines!

Ed il mio bacio scioglierà
And my kiss will dissolve

Il silenzio che ti fa mia!
The silence that makes you mine!

Dilegua, o notte!
Vanish, o night!

Tramontate, stelle!
Fade away, stars!

Tramontate, stelle!
Fade away, stars!

All’alba vincerò!
At dawn, I will win!

Vincerò! Vincerò!
I will win! I will win!

Key vocabulary and verbs

“Nessun dorma” is one of the most famous arias in opera. Sung by Prince Calaf in Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, it expresses hope, determination, and triumph. The text is relatively short but full of powerful words and evocative images.

1. Nouns

• Notte → Night
• Segreto → Secret
• Nome → Name
• Bocca → Mouth
• Luce → Light
• Alba → Dawn
• Vita → Life
• Stelle → Stars
• Amore → Love
• Speranza → Hope

2. Verbs

• Dormire (dorma) → To sleep (let him/her sleep)
• Sapere (saprà, saprai) → To know (he/she will know, you will know)
• Chiamare (chiamerà) → To call (he/she will call)
• Morire (morirò, morirai) → To die (I will die, you will die)
• Splendere (splenderanno) → To shine (they will shine)
• Vincere (vincerò) → To win (I will win)
• Baciare (bacerà) → To kiss (he/she will kiss)
• Sciogliere (si dissolverà) → To melt/dissolve (it will dissolve)

3. Useful expressions and concepts

• “Nessun dorma” → “Let no one sleep”
• “Il mio mistero è chiuso in me” → “My secret is hidden within me”
• “Il nome mio nessun saprà” → “No one will know my name”
• “Tramontate, stelle!” → “Fade away, stars!”
• “All’alba vincerò” → “At dawn, I will win!”

“Nessun dorma” is an aria that expresses determination and hope. Its lyrics evoke images of secrets, stars, and victory, making it a perfect piece for those who want to learn powerful words and expressions in Italian!

“Con te partirò”: The depth of emotions

The second Italian song is “Con te partirò”, performed by Andrea Bocelli, a modern classic beloved by audiences worldwide. The evocative melody and nostalgic lyrics provided a perfect emotional backdrop for a scene rich in pathos. This song, also known in its English version as “Time to Say Goodbye”, amplified the dramatic impact, evoking themes of farewell and hope.

Lyrics and translation of “Con te partirò”

Quando sono solo
When I’m alone

Sogno all’orizzonte
I dream on the horizon

E mancan le parole,
And words fail;

Sì lo so che non c’è luce
Yes, I know there is no light

In una stanza quando manca il sole,
In a room where the sun is absent,

Se non ci sei tu con me, con me.
If you’re not here with me, with me.

Su le finestre
At the windows

Mostra a tutti il mio cuore
Show everyone my heart

Che hai acceso,
That you’ve lit;

Chiudi dentro me
Enclose within me

La luce che
The light you

Hai incontrato per strada.
Encountered on the street.

Con te partirò
I’ll go with you

Paesi che non ho mai
To countries I’ve never

Veduto e vissuto con te,
Seen and lived with you;

Adesso sì li vivrò.
Now, yes, I’ll live them.

Con te partirò
I’ll go with you

Su navi per mari
On ships across seas

Che, io lo so,
Which, I know,

No, no, non esistono più,
No, no, don’t exist anymore;

Con te io li vivrò.
With you, I’ll live them.

Quando sei lontana
When you are far away

Sogno all’orizzonte
I dream on the horizon

E mancan le parole,
And words fail,

E io sì lo so
And yes, I know

Che sei con me, con me.
That you are with me, with me.

Tu mia luna tu sei qui con me,
You, my moon, are here with me,

Mio sole tu sei qui con me,
My sun, you are here with me,

Con me, con me, con me.
With me, with me, with me.

Con te partirò
I’ll go with you

Paesi che non ho mai
To countries I’ve never

Veduto e vissuto con te,
Seen and lived with you;

Adesso sì li vivrò.
Now, yes, I’ll live them.

Con te partirò
I’ll go with you

Su navi per mari
On ships across seas

Che, io lo so,
Which, I know,

No, no, non esistono più,
No, no, don’t exist anymore;

Con te io li vivrò.
With you, I’ll live them.

Con te partirò.
I’ll go with you.

Key vocabulary and verbs

“Con te partirò” è una canzone che parla di viaggio, separazione e amore, con immagini poetiche legate alla distanza e alla speranza di stare insieme. Il testo è semplice ma ricco di emozioni e vocaboli utili per imparare l’italiano.

1. Nouns

• Notte → Night
• Paesi → Countries
• Luce → Light
• Sogno → Dream
• Mare → Sea
• Nave → Ship
• Orizzonte → Horizon
• Vita → Life
• Amore → Love
• Cuore → Heart

2. Verbs

• Partire (partirò) → To leave, to depart (I will leave)
• Vedere (vedo, vedrò) → To see (I see, I will see)
• Esistere (esistono) → To exist (they exist)
• Dormire (dormi) → To sleep (you sleep)
• Aprire (aperto) → To open (opened)
• Sapere (lo so) → To know (I know it)
• Mancare (mi manchi) → To miss (I miss you)
• Andare (andrò con te) → To go (I will go with you)

3. Useful expressions and concepts

• “Con te partirò” → “With you, I will leave”
• “Paesi che non ho mai veduto e vissuto con te” → “Countries that I have never seen and lived with you”
• “Su navi per mari che, io lo so, no, no, non esistono più” → “On ships across seas that, I know, no, no, no longer exist”
• “Quando sei lontana sogno all’orizzonte” → “When you are far away, I dream of the horizon”
• “Adesso sì, vivrò con te” → “Now yes, I will live with you”

“Con te partirò” è una canzone perfetta per imparare parole legate ai viaggi, ai sogni e all’amore. Prova a usare questi termini per descrivere un viaggio che vorresti fare o una persona speciale con cui vorresti partire!

The impact of Italian music on the series

The inclusion of these two songs is no coincidence. The creators of Squid Game sought to pay homage to the richness of Italian culture, incorporating musical masterpieces that communicate universal emotions in profound and complex ways. Italian opera and modern classics have proven to be powerful tools for connecting a global audience to the series’ central themes.

The use of “Nessun dorma” and “Con te partirò” in the second season of Squid Game underscores the influence of Italian culture in the international artistic landscape. These universally recognized and beloved songs have added a unique dimension to the series, making the narrative even more engaging and memorable.

Foto di (Augustin-Foto) Jonas Augustin su Unsplash