One Fine Day (Un Bel Di)

One fine day we'll notice
A thread of smoke arisin'
On the sea in the far horizon
And then the ship appearin'

Then the trim white vessel
Glides into the harbor
Thunders forth her cannon
See you now, he is comin'

I do not go to meet him
Not I
I stay upon the brow of the hillock
And wait there
And wait for a long time
But never weary of the long waitin'

From out the crowded city
There is comin' a man
A little speck in the distance
Climbin' the hillock

Can you guess who it is?
And when he's reached the summit
Can you guess what he'll say?
He will call, "Butterfly" from the distance
I, without answerin'
Hold myself quietly concealed

A bit to tease him and a bit
So as not to die at our first meetin'
And then, a little troubled
He will call, he will call

Dear baby wife of mine
Dear little orange blossom
The names he used to call me when he came here
This will all come to pass as I tell you
Banish your idle fears
For he will return
Return