Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'Nessun Dorma', sung by
Paul Potts, originally come from the opera 'Turandot' by Giacomo Puccini. The title 'Nessun Dorma' means 'None shall sleep' in Italian.
The words are sung by a character named Calaf, who has fallen in love with the cold and distant Princess Turandot. The text is about his love for Turandot and his unwavering determination to solve her riddles in order to win her hand.
'Nessun dorma! Nessun dorma! Tu pure, o Principessa, Nella tua fredda stanza Guardi le stelle che tremano D'amore e di speranza!' - Here Calaf sings that no one should sleep, not even the princess in her cold room, who looks at the trembling stars of love and hope.
'Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me, Il nome mio nessun saprà No, no, sulla tua bocca lo dirò, Quando la luce splenderà!' - Calaf explains that his mystery is locked within him and no one will know his name. He will say it on her lips when the light shines.
'Ed il mio bacio scioglierà Il silenzio che ti fa mia!' - He believes that his kiss will break the silence that makes her his.
'Il nome suo nessun saprà E noi dovrem, ahimè, morir, morir.' - He emphasizes again that no one will know her name and they must unfortunately die.
'Dilegua, o notte! Tramontate, stelle! Tramontate, stelle! All'alba vincerò! Vincerò! Vincerò!' - At the end of the song, Calaf banishes the night and the stars, and proclaims his determination to win at dawn.
Overall, 'Nessun Dorma' is about the unwavering love and determination of a man willing to risk everything, even his life, to win the woman he loves.