Monday Music Appreciation #21 -- Nella Fantasia

Warning: the first time I heard Nella Fantasia from this Sarah Brightman album, it brought me to tears. And I'm pretty sure I've moodled about it before, but it deserves to be appreciated again, in my humble opinion.

Nella Fantasia is a piece of music that was composed for the movie The Mission by Italian composer Ennio Morricone, who died in 2020. It's a stunning piece of music both within the film, and without it. 

I recommend listening with your eyes closed and the volume up just enough that it feels like the melody is flowing through your veins. The lyrics, both the Italian by Chiara Ferraù (readers know how I love Italian!) and an English translation, are below. Enjoy!

 

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo giusto
Li tutti vivono in pace e in onestá
lo sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere
Come le nuvole che volano
Pien' d'umanitá in fondo all'anima

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo chiaro
Li anche la notte è meno oscure
lo sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere
Come le nuvole che volano

Nella fantasia esiste un vento caldo
Che soffia sulle cittá, come amico
lo sogno d'anime che sonon sempre libere
Come le nuvole che volano
Pien' d'umanitá in fondo all' anima

In my imagination I see a just world
Where all live in peace and honesty
I dream of souls that are always free
Like clouds that soar
Full of humanity, deep in spirit

In my imagination I see a bright world
There even night is less dark
I dream of souls that are always free
Like clouds that soar

In my imagination there is a warm wind
That breathes over the cities like a friend
I dream of souls that are always free
Like clouds that soar

Full of humanity, deep in spirit