Religious fishermen
In the first part of this article, you find this links , we have mentioned how the Apulian fishermen have for centuries been animated by a religious spirit which often leads to a real challenge to Destiny with pagan and ancestral colors and prerogatives.
We continue, in this second part, to outline some traits in their variations, highlighting their influences on working and family life; here are some examples and traditions still alive in some cities.
The dominant theme is to entrust oneself to the Saints to protect oneself from the natural elements, primarily the billows, because one's Destiny, work, family depend day by day on forces that alone are unable to fight.
The sailor imagines that his boat is made by God, guided by the Archangel Raphael, by San Francesco and San Nicola; then protected by the Virgin, he fears no dangers, and is sure of always being saved by the Divinity in case of storms or misfortunes at sea.
An example is given by this song of the sailors of Rodi Garganico:
Sanda Nicole vulève jè po o mare.
And Sanda Frangische dunò 'u vende.
L'angili will see us as a mariner.
La navicèlle ièere d'ore e d'argènde.
Si mittèern a mmare pi 'na gram fertune.
La navicèlle stèeve p'affundè.
Lu chiante che si facève ku patrune.
Chè avève perse la sua bbèlla varche.
Don't chiangere cchiù, dear patrones.
Che cchiu bbèlle t'a facime fa
This song is evidently divided into two distinct parts: in the first one there is a pretty image of St. Nicholas who, wanting to travel by sea, was helped by the Seraphic of Assisi, ruler of the winds, and by the Angels; in the second one speaks of a violent storm, which surprised a boat owner; while he was about to disperse, San Nicola appeared to him, who reassured him by telling him that, even if he lost the boat, a better one would be delivered to him.
Also from the ancient traditions of the sailors of Rodi Gargano, we derive this ancient song fragment:
At the Church of the Madonnas.
The apparète jè appicciète.
You see in that mumènde.
Vambe, fume and darkness!
And who jève and who vinève.
Jèvene a vidè si iève lu vere.
And Chillone jè minute.
'A Madonna of La Libera has pigghiète.
Monzegnore a mmezz'a'mmere
And the varchètte s'affunnève.
La Madonna pi la sua putènze.
'Avize la varchè 'n zalvamènde.
And at the sides of the Madonnas.
Ci stève Sande Michele.
Both of us pray for it, together.
E li mastre alluminète.
Pi 'na notte e pi' nu iurne.
They made the appartète.
These verses narrate a miracle performed by the Madonna della Libera, protector of the sailors of Rodi Gargano, that is, one day the altar of the cathedral was suddenly found illuminated. After a storm, the bishop took the statue of the virgin and carried it on a boat; this did not sink, because the Madonna, who was surrounded by patron saints, performed the miracle of calming the sea.
Molfetta and her Rosary
Some old fishermen from Molfetta, which is the most important fishing center in Puglia, state that until a few years ago, when the poor supper ended, the crew of the paranza gathered below deck in the stern part of the boat, near the small niche where they painted usually the image of the Madonna, a lamp was lit and the sweetest prayers were recited, accompanying them with a sad, monotonous and heartfelt melody that moved. Afterwards the rosary was recited which lasted up to an hour
Greatest Hits among Apulian sailors
Among the Apulian sailors a religious song is widespread, entitled "U' verbe de Ddie" which is recited on solemn holidays, often in a Molfetta diction:
'U verbe de Ddie ie vogghiè disce
'U verbe de Ddie, our Lords
Our Lords fo mise 'n crosses
Pe nnù miserable sinner
Then San Giuanne descended from it
Cù libbrè 'm mane e che la vosce decènne
Umene sinner and paccatrisce
Ci sape 'u vèrbe de Ddie, ca se lu disce
Ci nan ' u sape s' u av'a 'mbara
Ca'ggiorne du gedizie will abbesugnarà
E tronere e llampe nèn ni mangherà
Mò se ne scènne Matra Marie
What king vrazz 'open if 'ngenecchiò
Figghie ne stanne facènne tanta tande
Moms, nèn lu puzze cchiù seppertà
Ca me jastele anne, mise e ggiorne
Lemòsene cchiù pe mmè nan ne fanne
Fatighese all the prengepale holidays
E manga l'Aeterneta volène watchà
I know patron of heaven and tea
Lore a fa la pasce ed ie amette uèrre
Lore if crètene ca ie nan fazze rehearsals
Ind'a a nu memènde u munne l'abisse
Praised be every memende
'U Sandissime Sagramènde
Now and September be praised
La Reggine du ciele our lawyers
It is a solemn, harmonious song, full of devout sentiment, which is moving in its simplicity and for the fervor of faith. The characters who dialogue are sculpted with rapid touches, and the goodness of Mary, who protects Christians and indulges their weaknesses and their sins, is very expressive.
Jesus appears indignant against men, because they forget their duties of love and gratitude for those who sacrificed themselves for them on Golgotha, they blaspheme frequently, they do not respect Sundays, which must be consecrated to prayer, as God's commandment dictates; she would like to take revenge, but the Virgin begs for the miserable sinners, and obtains the forgiveness of the Son for them.
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