Released in 1995, the song blends rock and operatic elements, creating a compelling fusion that reflects the gravity of its subject matter: the war-torn city of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War.
The song was inspired by a documentary of the same name, which highlighted a beauty pageant held in Sarajevo amidst the ongoing conflict.
U2's lead singer Bono, deeply moved by the film, spearheaded the song's creation, bringing in Pavarotti for a stunning operatic solo that delivers an emotional crescendo to the piece.
Pavarotti’s contribution, sung in Italian, introduces a classical and emotional depth to the song, contrasting with Bono’s untypically restrained vocals. His lyrics offer a profound meditation on suffering and the human condition, and translating these Italian lines into English allows for a fuller appreciation of their meaning.
As one of the most celebrated tenors of his time, Pavarotti’s voice and lyrics in "Miss Sarajevo" provide an operatic counterpoint to the stark realities portrayed in the song (mirroring the seeming absurdity of hosting a beauty pageant during a time of war), making it not only a musical collaboration but a deeply moving statement on the endurance of beauty and humanity in the face of destruction.
Dici che il fiume trova la via al mare
E come il fiume giungerai a me
Oltre i confini e le terre assetate
Dici che come fiume
Come fiume l'amore giungera
L'amore e non so piu pregare
E nell'amore non so piu sperare
E quell'amore non so piu aspettare
You say that as a river finds its way to the sea
And as the river you'll find your way back to me
Beyond the borders and the thirsty lands
You say that as the river
As the river, you say that love will find a way
But love, I'm not a praying man
And in love. I can't believe any more
And for love. I can't wait any more
Pavarotti's Miss Sarajevo part in Italian:
E come il fiume giungerai a me
Oltre i confini e le terre assetate
Dici che come fiume
Come fiume l'amore giungera
L'amore e non so piu pregare
E nell'amore non so piu sperare
E quell'amore non so piu aspettare
English translation of the Italian lyrics Pavarotti sang:
And as the river you'll find your way back to me
Beyond the borders and the thirsty lands
You say that as the river
As the river, you say that love will find a way
But love, I'm not a praying man
And in love. I can't believe any more
And for love. I can't wait any more
What is the lyrical meaning of Pavarotti's part?
In Pavarotti’s section of Miss Sarajevo, the lyrics express a profound sense of yearning and disillusionment.
The river is a powerful metaphor for love's inevitable journey, suggesting that just as a river finds its way to the sea, love will eventually return, crossing borders and overcoming obstacles. However, this hopeful image is quickly contrasted by the singer's personal despair.
He admits that while others may believe in the certainty of love’s return, he has lost faith in it. He confesses that he can no longer pray or hope for love, and that the anticipation for love has become unbearable.
This tension between hope and hopelessness adds emotional depth to the song, reflecting both the endurance of human spirit and the deep scars of loss and suffering, which mirror the war-torn context in which the song was conceived.
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