Translation of the song lyrics Sparring Partner - Paolo Conte

Sparring Partner (original)

Un macaco senza storia,
dice lei di lui,
che gli manca la memoria
infondo ai guanti bui
ma il suo sguardo una veranda,
tempo al tempo e lo vedrai,
che si addentra nella giungla,
no, non incontrarlo mai
Ho guardato in fondo al gioco
tutto qui? ma — sai —
sono un vecchio sparring partner
e non ho visto mai
una calma pi tigrata,
pi segreta di cos,
prendi il primo pullmann, via
tutto il reso gi poesia
Avr pi di quarantanni
e certi applausi ormai
son dovuti per amore,
non incontrarlo mai
stava l nel suo sorriso
a guardar passare i tram,
vecchia pista da elefanti
stesa sopra al macadm

Sparring Partner (translation)

A monkey without chronicle or claim,
so she pronounces him,
for memory is a vanished flame
deep in those dusk-lit gloves grown dim,
yet in his gaze: a terrace, open, pale,
wait — and time will part the veiled design;
it slides into the jungle’s woven veil,
no, never seek him — nor let him cross your line.
I have searched the roots beneath the game,
is this the sum? Yet — you know well —
I am an old sparring partner, worn by fame,
and never have I seen, nor can I tell,
a calm more streaked with tiger’s art,
or deeper veiled than this,
take the first coach, depart —
all else is poetry’s abyss.
He must be past his fortieth year,
and some applause by now
is paid for habit or love, not for what they hear,
never let him be the one you allow.
He lingered there, in his elusive smile,
watching trams flow through the afternoon,
an elephant path, ancient mile,
sprawled across the macadam’s rune.