Werner Icking Music Archive: Carlo Gesualdo da Venosa

T'amo, mia vita: 'T'amo, mia vita' la mia cara vita
Mi dice e in questa sola
Dolcissima parola
Par che trasformi lietamente il core
Per farsene signore,
O voce di dolcezza e di diletto,
Prendila tosto, Amore,
Stampala nel mio core!
Spiri solo per te l'anima mia:
'T'amo mia vita' la mia vita sia.

"I love you, my life*" is what my beloved
Says to me, and in these few sweet words
It seems that she joyfully transforms my heart,
Taking control of it.
Such sweet, delightful words:
Cupid, take them and imprint them on my heart.
May I live and breathe only for you;
Let "I love you, my life"
Be my life.
(* i.e. my sweetheart)

English translation by Mick Swithinbank at CPDL