Vissi d'arte ~ Live, 1958

Lyrics
Vissi d’arte, vissi d’amore,
non feci mai male ad anima viva!
Con man furtiva
quante miserie conobbi aiutai.
Sempre con fè sincera
la mia preghiera
ai santi tabernacoli salì.
Sempre con fè sincera
diedi fiori agl’altar.
Nell’ora del dolore
perché, perché, Signore,
perché me ne rimuneri così?
Diedi gioielli della Madonna al manto,
e diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel,
che ne ridean più belli.
Nell’ora del dolor
perché, perché, Signor,
ah, perché me ne rimuneri così?

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Translation

I lived for my art, I lived for love
I never did harm to a living soul!
With a secret hand I relieved as many misfortunes as I knew of.
Always with true faith my prayer rose to the holy shrines.
Always with true faith I gave flowers to the altar.
In the hour of grief why, why, o Lord, why do you reward me thus?
I gave jewels for the Madonna's mantle, and I gave my song to the stars, to heaven, which smiled with more beauty.
In the hour of grief why, why, o Lord,
ah, why do you reward me thus?

Maria Callas (December 2, 1923 - September 16, 1977).
American-born Greek soprano.