Christina wrote asking for help with an Italian (Calabrese) rhyme.  Here’s her email…

Hi Lisa,

This rhyme has been recited to small children in our family at least since the early 20th century. My paternal grandfather’s parents came to the U.S. in 1913 from Falerna, Catanzaro. They left two children there and subsequently had four more children, my grandfather being born in 1917.

Anyway, Nanna sang this to my grandfather, who sang it to my dad, who sang it to me, and now both he and I sing it to my baby girl. The baby sits on your lap, facing you, you hold onto both of her hands, and rock her forward and back as if rowing a boat while reciting. For the last word of the rhyme, you lift their arms up and stand them up on your lap, and then say, "Yaayy!"

I can tell you ahead of time that not only is the rhyme in a very southern Italian dialect (Calabrese), I will probably completely butcher the spellings, dialect or not – so I apologize now, I will do my best! It’s never been written down that I know of, so this is just based off of how we’ve heard it recited.

Voca, voca marinara
Calle pesce sinegatti
Sinegatti casta luna
Voca, voca macaroni!

If there is any information you can give me on correct spellings, meanings, origins, or anything, that would be wonderful! My dad and I have often wondered exactly what it means. We can gather that it has something to do with night fishermen, but that’s about all.

Thank you so much!

Christina

We’ve only been able to find versions of this rhyme in standard Italian and in other dialects.  They begin as "Voga voga marinaro". 

If anyone can help with Christina’s version, please let us know in the comments below.

Thanks in advance!

Mama Lisa