Six Months In Italy

A man was lying on his deathbed
When an angel appeared and whispered in his ear
You've been a good man your whole life through
So tonight I ask this of you
What is the one thing you wish
Before I walk you away?
Now mind you I can't give you world peace
For I am only a small angel
But I know I can give you something
For what you've done
And the tired old man smiled wide
And whispered back

Give me six months in Italy
That would be more
Than my eyes would need to see
To taste God's fruits and wines
Just to spend some time
Just give me six months in Italy

Now the Angel was quite surprised
As no one had ever asked this of him before
But before he was to deliver such a gift
He asked the dying man
Why this was his last wish
And he just said

Give me six months in Italy
That would be more
Than my eyes would need to see
To taste God's fruits and wines
Just to spend some time
Just give me six months in Italy

To taste the olives would let my mouth know
That the words of kindness I spoke
Didn't fall on deaf ears
To smell the aroma of all the good wine
Would let my lungs and breath know
That simple truths float in the air
To hear laughing children in a piazza
Would let me know that innocence
And hope still exists

And lastly for my eyes
So I will know what heaven will look like
After my six months in Italy
The Angel knew not what to say
So he smiled a smile that only mothers know
And he said gently
My friend, rest
My friend, good night
Buona notte, Buona sera