This delightful and heartfelt song, sung during a family dinner, captures the essence of old-world Italian family dynamics. Nonna, a devout immigrant matriarch, boldly expresses her judgmental yet loving thoughts towards her single granddaughters, Rena and Gia. With a touch of humor and sincerity, the song addresses themes of guilt, pressure, and the unshakeable bonds of family while exploring love and expectations in a charming musical style reminiscent of classic Italian anthems.
Verse 1 (Nonna):
When pasta's boiling and prayers we say,
My girls, oh my girls, why throw life away?
A good man’s waiting, don’t you see?
You better find him before you’re like me.
Chorus (Nonna):
That’s not amore, when you’re still alone,
Life’s a stage, find your love, make it known.
With every morsel of guilt I serve,
A husband for you - don’t you deserve?
Verse 2 (Rena):
But Nonna, I cherish my own way of life,
Love's not a prison, I’m happy, no strife.
Cillian’s my heart, but how to say?
You wouldn’t approve, no love on display.
Chorus (Nonna):
That’s not amore, when you’re still alone,
Focus on men, not worries you've grown.
With every sprinkle of faith I lay,
Marry a good man, it’s what I pray.
Verse 3 (Gia):
Nonna, my laughter’s with girls that I deem,
This love is my truth, not just a bad dream.
You say it’s a phase, but I’m here to stay,
With pride in my heart, no man in my way.
Chorus (Nonna):
That’s not amore, when you’re still alone,
But sweet boyfriends are easy to own.
With every prayer that you should obey,
Marry at least for your mother’s sake!
Bridge (Rena and Gia):
Oh Nonna, we love, we just want to be free,
Life’s not just fitting in your fantasy.
With Cillian, I blossom, and Gia’s so true,
Why can’t you see us for all that we do?
Chorus (Nonna):
That’s not amore, when you’re still alone,
A family dinner should feel like home.
With every tender heart I hold so dear,
Love’s more than a man, go on, persevere!
Outro (All):
So gather around, our hearts still entwine,
Through laughter and tears, love’s never maligned.
Together we dine, with judgments and prayers,
In the warmth of our home, we forever share.
Chords not available
Beat not available
This song is in a musical, and the song is called Catholic Guilt. It is sung by Rena's Nonna, an Italian immigrant who is very religious and very judgmental, like most old-world Italian nonnas. Rena is a plus-size woman and is still single. Rena's younger sister, Gianella (goes by "Gia"), is also single, but she is lesbian. Nonna thinks this is just a phase and Gia will bring home a man someday. Rena is in love with her best friend, Cillian, and he is in love with her too, but neither knows it. Nonna really wants Cillian and Rena to end up together. The song is about Nonna making Rena and Gia feel guilty for things in life. She's incredibly judgemental and has a strong opinion about everything, but usually only directed at the women. Just like most old-world Italian Nonnas, she has a soft spot for the men in her life (Rena's dad, Rena's 3 brothers, and Cillian). The men can do no wrong. She gives back-handed compliments. Do not include names in the song. The song should sound similar to "That's Amore" and has an old-world Italian feel to it. Rena and Gia should also sing in this song, but they're not singing to Nonna; they are singing their thoughts and feelings for the audience. Nonna is singing this song at a family dinner while saying grace. The song should be her grace.
Old-World Italian