[rrayner]

“Funiculì, Funiculà” was written by Luigi Denza in 1880 to commemorate the opening of the first funicular cable car on Mount Vesuvius, in the Naples, Italy region. A funicular is an inclined railroad used to transport passengers up and down steep inclines. The passenger cars are raised and lowered up and down the incline by a system of cables.

As a kid, my first exposure to the song was a popular version called, “My Tassel Hat”, which is a comedic tale in which the beloved hat get sat upon by a very large woman. I can find no reference to this variation, but later, when Cynthia was growing up, there was a different variation called, “My High Silk Hat” - equally as silly, if not more so.

Yet, the melody lingers and it is a fun piece to play. We hope you enjoy it.

Ralph Rayner