I woke to bells that never sleep,
In Roma’s arms where centuries keep,
First light on Santa Maria Maggiore’s dome,
Gold mosaics whispering “Welcome home.”
Snow in August, a miracle told,
Mary’s basilica, centuries oldβ
Columns of marble, ceilings ablaze,
Where emperors knelt in ancient praise.
Oh Roma, Roma, you hold the years,
In every stone, in every tear,
From gladiator’s roar to angel’s flight,
You cradle day, you cradle night.
Eternal city, speak to me,
In ruins and in sanctity.
Cross Ponte Vittorio, river’s sigh,
To Castel Sant’Angelo standing high,
Hadrian’s tomb turned fortress bold,
Where popes hid secrets, stories untold.
Angels watch from the bridge of stone,
Wings of Bernini, carved aloneβ
Santo Spirito whispers mercy near,
Divine compassion drowning fear.
Down Corso Vittorio, past Chiesa Nuova’s grace,
Sant’Andrea della Valle hides its face,
Then Largo di Torre Argentina calls,
Where cats lounge on emperors’ fallen walls.
Here Caesar fell, betrayed in blood,
Columns silent where history stoodβ
Teatro Argentina echoes plays,
Ghosts of Brutus in the sun’s warm rays.
Through Trajan’s Forum, column spiraling high,
Augustus’ echoes beneath the sky,
Santi Luca e Martina guard the way,
To Victor Emmanuel’s bright displayβ
Piazza Venezia, white marble throne,
Italy’s heart carved in stone.
Garibaldi rides above the hill,
Freedom’s hero standing still.
Then the Colosseum, massive and torn,
Where lions roared and martyrs were born,
Arches broken, yet proud they stand,
Echoes of crowds across the land.
Nearby churches rise from baths of old,
Santa Susanna, St. Bernard boldβ
Mary of the Angels in marble light,
Turning pagan ruins into sacred night.
Oh Roma, Roma, you never fade,
Layers of love in every shade,
From Julius’ statue to opera’s song,
You carry the past where we belong.
In your streets I walk forevermore,
Eternal echoes, open doorβ
Roma mia, hold me near,
In your timeless heart, I disappear.