Villa Palagonia | Rhythms & Roots | Michelina’s Song

By Allison Scola and Joe Ravo

Musicians

Allison Scola, vocals
Joe Ravo, guitar
David Romano, electric bass
Dave Mancuso, percussion
Dmitry Sokolovsky, button accordion

Verse I

Tonight I was to go dancing
Tonight I was to see my love
But all I see around me are flames and smoke
Un focu! Fire!
Tonight I was to go dancing
Tonight I was to see my love

Verse II

Two years ago I left my village Bisacquino
My mother and my sisters behind
My brother sent me passage to l’America
Un focu! Fire!
Tonight I was to go dancing
Tonight I was to see my love

Verse III

At times I miss the smell of nutmeg
I long to drink fresh waters from a spring
Now all I smell is burning flesh, my throat is dry
Un focu! Fire!

Bridge

The air is thick
My eyes are burning
Pushing and pulling and kicking and screaming
“The doors are locked! The doors are locked!”

Verse IV

13th Street was beginning to feel like home
I practiced speaking English all the days
I bought a new hat with my wages from the Triangle
Oh, un focu! Fire!
Tonight I was to go dancing
Tonight I was to see my love

Verse V

But all I see around me are flames and smoke
Un focu! Fire!
Tonight I was to go dancing
Tonight I was to see my love
Tonight I was to go dancing
Tonight I was to see my …