A digitally remastered version of the original recording from 20th of March 1916, recreated with some Carusos films taken by anonymous people

Santa Lucia is a traditional Neapolitan song. It was transcribed by Teodoro Cottrau (1827-1879) and published by the Cottrau firm, as a "barcarolla", at Naples in 1849. Cottrau translated it from Napuletano into Italian during the first stage of the Risorgimento, the first Neapolitan song to be given Italian lyrics. Its transcriber, who is very often credited as its composer, was the son of the French-born Italian composer and collector of songs Guillaume Louis Cottrau (1797-1847).
The Neapolitan lyrics of "Santa Lucia" celebrate the picturesque waterfront district, Borgo Santa Lucia, in the Bay of Naples, in the invitation of a boatman to take a turn in his boat, the better to enjoy the cool of the evening.
(Taken from Wikipedia)

Original Neapolitan Lyrics

Sul mare luccica lastro dargento.

Placida è londa, prospero è il vento.

Sul mare luccica lastro dargento.

Placida è londa, prospero è il vento.

Venite allagile barchetta mia,

Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Venite allagile barchetta mia,

Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!



Con questo zeffiro, così soave,

Oh, comè bello star sulla nave!

Con questo zeffiro, così soave,

Oh, comè bello star sulla nave!

Su passegieri, venite via!

Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Su passegieri, venite via!

Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!



In fra le tende, bandir la cena

In una sera così serena,

In fra le tende, bandir la cena

In una sera così serena,

Chi non dimanda, chi non desia.

Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia!

Chi non dimanda, chi non desia.

Santa Lucia! Santa Lucia! (less info)