Vissi d'arte, Tosca's aria from Tosca

Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore, 		I lived for my art, I lived for love,
non feci mai male ad anima viva!	I never did harm to a living soul!
Con man furtiva				With a secret hand
quante miserie conobbi aiutai.		I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of. 
Sempre con fè sincera			Always with true faith
la mia preghiera 			my prayer
ai santi tabernacoli salì.		rose to the holy shrines.
Sempre con fè sincera			Always with true faith
diedi fiori agl’altar.			I gave flowers to the altar.
Nell’ora del dolore			In the hour of grief
perchè, perchè, Signore,		why, why, o Lord,
perchè me ne rimuneri così?		why do you reward me thus?
Diedi gioielli della Madonna al manto,	I gave jewels for the Madonna’s mantle,
e diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel,	and I gave my song to the stars, to heaven,
che ne ridean più belli.		which smiled with more beauty.
Nell’ora del dolor			In the hour of grief
perchè, perchè, Signor,			why, why, o Lord,
ah, perchè me ne rimuneri così?		ah, why do you reward me thus?

Translation by Rebecca Burstein (rburstei@brynmawr.edu)