ECHOES Piedmontese dialect

The Piedmontese way of thinking, defined by the term "bogianèn", that means "person who doesn't move" derives from a very strong tie to the land and to traditional values. The popular sayings and songs well show this curious aspect of the Savoy life.

Popular Saying

Le braje dj àutri a fan mal al daré
Other people's trousers hurt on the backside

Mentre 'l can as grata la levr a scapa
While the dog scratches itself the hare runs away

A paghé com' a meuire a-i é sempe temp
There is always time to pay, its like dying

La mòrt a ciapa tut, bel e brut
Death grabs everything, the beautiful and the ugly

A esse galantòm as diventa nen ësgnor
If you're a gentleman you won't become rich

A costa 'd pì a esse cativ che a esse brav
It costs more to be mean than good

Chi a dà e peui a pija,'l diav a lo pòrta via
Whoever gives, and then takes back, is taken by the devil

An mancansa dij cavaj j'aso a tròto
When there are no horses, donkeys will do

A l'é mej n'amis che des parent
A friend is better than ten relatives

Chi d'amor as pija, 'd rabia as lassa
Those who meet through love will part through anger

L'aj a l'é lë spessiàri dij paisan
Garlic is the peasants' chemist

Chërpa pansa pitòst che ròba avansa
No left overs even if your belly bursts

Le busìe a son coma ij sòp: as conòsso da lontan
Lies, like the lame, can be seen from a distance

A l'é bin avèj d'amis fin' a ca dël diav
It is best to have friends even in the devil's house

A la sèira lion a la matin plandron
In the evening lions, in the morning layabouts

Fà ch' it n' abie
Make it be enough

Piemontèis fàuss e cortèis, italian fàuss e vilan
Piedmontese false and courteous, Italians false and rude

SONGS IN DIALECT

In Piedmont, folk music still plays an important role, even though it is broadcast on channels that rarely coincide with those of major distribution. Only some radios and local televisions (in particular Quartarete and Telecupole) dedicate a few hours to songs and cabaret shows in Piedmontese. It's much easier to meet these singers at village street fairs where all the locasl meet to drink,eat, dance,and why not, sing.

We met the ballad-singer Roberto Balocco, author of the collection "Canson 'dla Piòla", who with his guitar, has sung traditional Piedmontese.
How were these songs born?
Between the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth centuries, families would gather on Sundays in the "piòle" (tavern) - there were more than six thousand in Turin - where they would learn amusing songs.Usually songs would arise from a musical competition, in Piedmontese of course. The most important was the Porta Susa Song Contest and storytellers were protagonists of this lively expression of people's life.
Do these songs still have fans today?
They are quite appreciated: the lyrics approach amusing themes and tell of the Piedmontese daily life.

FAMOUS STORYTELLERS

Among Turin's authors we cannot forget Fred Buscaglione, who, with his unforgettable voice, personified - after the Second World War - the connection between the piola's traditional music and American nightclub jazz. His songs have made the history of Italian music, the most renowned are: "Eri piccola così","Guarda che Luna","Il dritto di Chicago", "Buonasera (signorina)" and Fred dal Whisky facile" which presents his rather dangerous and reckless lifestyle. His premature death in a road accident during 1960 strengthened the myth of a rebel, harsh but tender hearted, really missed by many people.
Another famous author and songwriter of Turin's cabaret is Gipo Farassino. Many Piedmontese adore his songs, ("Serenata Ciocatona", "Pòrta Pila", "Pòrta Palass", "L 6 (ses) 'd via Coni", "Ij bogianen" and "Montagne del me Piemont"...) in which he describes his dear working class Turin, His dialectal monologues often also deal with difficult subjects and he's considered a great traditional actor.