Mercato driving you nuts? Here’s a break.
Borrowing this post from a past work of mine. I wanted to make sure we know our anthems nonetheless, and know what they mean, so here is this mini-series; Know Your Anthems.
First one up: “C’è Solo l’Inter,” is one of the Nerazzurri’s official songs. It is the tune of pride, in our colors, in our history, in our players, in what we represent, through thick and thin, in the face of the enemy, of what we are, and of what we are not. It is performed expertly by Graziano Romani.
Italian/English Lyrics (If you want to learn the song, copy/paste, print, etc)
C’è Solo l’Inter
There’s Only Inter
E’ vero, ci sono cose piu’ importanti
It’s true, there are more important things
di calciatori e di cantanti
than football players and singers,
ma dimmi cosa c’è di meglio
but tell me what is better
di, una continua sofferenza
than, a continuous suffering,
per arrivare alla vittoria
to reach victory,
ma poi non rompermi i coglioni
but still…don’t break my balls (don’t f*ck with me)…
per me, c’è solo l’Inter
for me, there is only Inter
A me che sono innamorato
To me, I’m in love,
non venite a raccontare
do not come to say
quello che l’Inter deve fare
what Inter must do,
perchè per noi niente è mai normale
because for us nothing is ever normal,
nè sconfitta nè vittoria
neither in victory nor defeat,
che tanto è sempre la stessa storia
so it is always the same story;
un’ora e mezza senza fiato
an hour and a half breathless
perchè c’è solo l’Inter…
because, there is only Inter…
C’è solo l’Inter, per me, solo l’Inter
There is only Inter, for me, only Inter
C’è solo l’Inter, per me
There is only Inter, for me
No, non puoi cambiare la bandiera
No, you can not change the flag
e la maglia nerazzurra
and the Nerazzurri shirt
dei campioni del passato
of past champions
che poi è la stessa
and its still the same
di quelli del presente
for those of the present
io da loro voglio orgoglio
from them, I want pride
per la squadra di Milano
for the team of Milano
perchè c’è solo l’Inter
because, there is only Inter
E mi torna ancora in mente l’avvocato Prisco
And I recall to mind “The Attorney” Prisco
lui diceva che la serie A è nel nostro dna
he said that the Serie A is in our DNA;
“Io non rubo il campionato
“I do not steal the championship
ed in serie B non son mai stato!”
and I have never been in Serie B!”
C’è solo l’Inter, per me, solo l’Inter
There is only Inter, for me, only Inter
C’è solo l’Inter, per me, per me
There is only Inter, for me, for me
C’è solo l’Inter, c’è solo l’Inter,
There is only Inter, there is only Inter,
c’è solo l’Inter, per me
there is only Inter, for me
C’è solo l’Inter per me
There is only Inter for me (Repeat out)
Note on the English translation: I tried to translate for meaning of what would make sense in English terminology, not so much exact literal translation, because some of that doesn’t translate sensibly.
History and meaning
“Io non rubo il campionato, ed in Serie B non son mai stato” is an emblematic phrase that refers to our rivals Juventus and Milan, among others. Especially the first two however because they are our most historic rivals and Juve has been proven guilty (and has been suspected of it for even longer) of stealing several championships, while both have been in Serie B. This is while Inter is the only Italian team to stay in Serie A its’ entire existence. True pride to be had in this.
“L’Avvocato Prisco” refers to our beloved legend, the late vice-president Giuseppe “Peppino” Prisco. He spent years in the Italian military’s Alpini, featuring in the Russian Campaign in World War II. After, he was a prominent lawyer (hence the nickname “l’Avvocato”) in Milan and was Inter Vice President from 1963-2001. To keep it very, very short, his life was lived expressing his love of Inter. He was the life of the Derby della Madonnina, he was the life of what was the Derby d’Italia. His witty comments won him the support of the streets, while his old-school passion kept the cauldron of the stands boiling-hot. He was the fire in the Biscione’s belly. An absolute legend. So much so that even Paolo Maldini said that Inter versus Milan will “never be the same” after him. He was right. Peppino passed on aged 80 in 2001. God bless his soul.
Thanks to Yoav Atiass on the suggestion for the updated lyrics format!
Part two will be up soon! Which parts of this song ring out most true for you? Do you have a favorite quote from the legendary Prisco?
