Can Anyone Help with an Italian Kids Song about Africa, Elephants and Giraffes?
May 20th, 2019

Margaret-Ann wrote asking for help with an Italian kids Song from her childhood. Here’s her email:

Hi Lisa,

I’m trying to track an Italian children’s song taught to me late ’60s/early 70’s by a friend who had just returned from living in Italy. We were about 10 years old at the time.

The song begins ‘Potrei andare in Africa…’ and goes on about elephants and giraffes and such. I think the song also makes a rhyme of numerosa and pericolosa – not sure about spelling.

Would you have any ideas? Any assistance would be very welcome.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,
Margaret-Ann Hamilton

If anyone can help with this song, please comment below. Thanks in advance! -Mama Lisa

This article was posted on Monday, May 20th, 2019 at 8:29 pm and is filed under Countries & Cultures, Italian, Italian Children's Songs, Italy, Languages, Mama Lisa, Questions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

2 Responses to “Can Anyone Help with an Italian Kids Song about Africa, Elephants and Giraffes?”

  1. Nicolò Says:
    January 24th, 2020 at 4:22 pm

    I have no idea what I am doing on this website but, since I’m here, might as well try to help.
    In Italy there is actually a song presented at the “Zecchino d’oro” (a musical competition for kid’s songs) in 1966 called “Se Osassi”, which first sentence is actually “Potrei andare in Africa..”.
    The actual lyric following.
    Potrei andare in Africa a caccia di leoni
    Per il safari scegliere fucili e munizioni
    Fra i cacciatori bianchi sarei il più coraggioso
    Potrei, sarei, darei
    Se osassi ma non oso

    Potrei con un tre alberi armato a bella posta
    Salpare con gli intrepidi predoni della costa
    Sarei anch’io un corsaro audace e ardimentoso
    Potrei, sarei, darei
    Se osassi ma non oso

    Potrei nel West autentico girare da campione
    Sarei la colt più rapida di tutta la regione
    Timore dei banditi sceriffo favoloso
    Potrei, sarei, darei
    Se osassi ma non oso

    Potrei sempre rincorrere il gatto del vicino
    E stare sveglio a leggere finché si fa mattino
    E dare una lezione a chi fa il dispettoso
    Potrei , sarei, darei
    Se osassi ma non oso

  2. Margaret-Ann Hamilton Says:
    June 23rd, 2021 at 2:08 am

    Thank you so much Nicolò!
    I have only just seen your response.

    I grew up in Australia and one of my school friends had just arrived from Italy (c. 1968). She taught me this song and it’s been rattling around in my head ever since. I remember the tune perfectly but had forgotten a lot of the words. You’ve put words to my music!

    Thanks again

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