Gaber & Jannacci: “Una fetta di limone” [English version]

jannacci-gaberLady, you misunderstood,
lady, listen to what I’m saying
No, to your kisses I say no,
no, to your love I say no,
to your languid smile I say no, no, no!

I don’t want your palaces, I don’t want riches, I don’t want caresses,
you are rich but ugly, take a look in the mirror,
can’t you see you’re old.
What do you want from me!
But since you insist with these proposals
I’ll tell you there is something I want from you…

A lemon slice, a lemon slice,
a lemon slice, a lemon slice in the tea.

I don’t want cash for fancy clothes and piles of gifts
you’re rich but stupid, too dried out for me, hence you won’t catch me
What do you want from me!
But since you insist with these proposals
I’ll tell you there is something I want from you…

A lemon slice, a lemon slice,
a lemon slice, a lemon slice in the tea.

(E.Jannacci, “Una fetta di lemon” in Enzo Jannacci e Giorgio Gaber, 1960, Ricordi)

It’s tea time… while the British put milk in it

Italians customarily add flavour and fragrance to the traditional British beverage with a slice of lemon, while British people habitually add milk to it, especially if the tea is black. This custom surpassingly caught on thanks to “Mr. Tea” himself, Sam Twining, who would put milk in his cup to cool it and keep it from breaking once boiling water was poured in it.