Salto biralto
Children recite this rhyme before making a risky jump when they stand on steps, a low wall or any higher spot from where they intend to jump.
Salto biralto
Jump Birump
Rhyme
Rhyme
(Italian)
(English)
Salto biralto,
se rompe el naso
se rompe el viso,
salto in Paradiso!
Jump birump*,
Break your nose,
Break your face,
Jump to heaven!
Notes
*"Biralto" is a meaningless word. It's translated here for the rhyme.
Variant (Veronese dialect):
Salto biralto, (Jump birump)
capel de castaldo, (Farmer's cap)
capel de Luigi (Luigi's cap)
salto a Parigi. (Jump to Paris.)
Another version…
Salto biralto (Jump birump)
me rompo el capo (I break my head)
me rompo el viso (I break my face)
salto in Paradiso (I jump to Paradise.)
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Emanuela Marsura for sharing this rhyme with us and for translating it.
Grazie!
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