Senti sto fatto. Un giorno de st'istate 
Lavoravo ar convento de Genzano, 
E ssentivo de sopra ch'er guardiano 
Tirava giù biastime a carrettate; 

Perché, essenno le gente aridunate 
Per cantà la novena a ssan Cazziano, 
Cerca qua, chiama là, quer zagristano 
Drento a le celle nun trovava un frate. 

Era vicino a notte, e un pispillorio 
Già se sentiva in de la chiesa piena, 
Quanno senti che ffa ppadre Grigorio. 

Curze a intoccà la tevola de cena, 
E appena che fu empito er refettorio 
Disse: "Alò, frati porchi, a la novena!". 


English 

Listen to this story. During last summer one day 
I was working at the monastery in Genzano [1] , 
When I heard upstairs the sacristan 
Swearing like a trooper. 

Because while the people had gathered 
To sing the novena [2] for St.Cassian, 
The sacristan, looking for the friars high and low, 
Could not find any of them in their rooms. 

Night was approaching, and a whispering 
Already came from the crowded church, 
So listen what Father Gregory did. 

He ran to sound the dinner bell 
And as soon as the refectory was full 
Said: "Hurry up, lousy friars, to the novena!"