Written for the video game Civilization VI.
The lyrics are sometimes credited to Leonardo da Vinci. According to the composer’s website, they were merely based on a da Vinci quote, specifically:
For once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return.
This quote cannot be found in any primary sources, nor any secondary sources older than 1965, when it appears in an unfootnoted documentary. So the lyrics probably have nothing to do with da Vinci at all.
A performance by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Angel City Corale is on Youtube.
Una volta che avrai (Once you have)
Spiccato il volo, deciderai (taken flight, you’ll decide)
Sguardo verso il ciel, saprai (Gaze towards the sky, you’ll know)
Li a casa il cuore sentirai (That is where your heart will feel at home)
(x2)
Prenderà il primo volo (The first grand bird)
Verso il sole (will take flight)
il grande uccello (towards the sun)
Sorvolando il (Sweeping over the)
grande Monte Ceceri (Great Mt Ceceri)
Riempendo l’universo (Filling the universe)
Di stupore e gloria (With wonder and glory)
Una volta che avrai (Once you have)
Spiccato il volo, deciderai (taken flight, you’ll decide)
Sguardo verso il ciel, saprai (Gaze towards the sky, you’ll know)
Li a casa il cuore sentirai (That is where your heart will feel at home)
L’uomo verrà portato (Man will be lifted)
Dalla sua creazione (By his own creation)
Come gli ucceli (Just like birds)
Verso il cielo (Towards the sky)
Riempendo l’universo (Filling the universe)
Di stupore e gloria (With wonder and glory)
Una volta che avrai (Once you have)
Spiccato il volo, deciderai (taken flight, you’ll decide)
Sguardo verso il ciel, saprai (Gaze towards the sky, you’ll know)
Li a casa il cuore sentirai (That is where your heart will feel at home)
Gloria! (Glory!)
Gloria! (Glory!)
