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/* ABOUT: Saint Philip Neri, known as the Apostle of Joy, transformed Rome through laughter, compassion, and radiant humility. He gathered hearts with music and prayer, teaching that holiness blooms in cheerfulness, and that true greatness lies not in crowns or power, but in loving God with a playful, burning soul. */

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Morning bells and laughter rise,

He walks through Rome with heaven in his eyes,

Golden hearts where the poor ones stay,

He lights their souls in a humble way.

Una luce dentro il vento,

ride Dio nel suo talento,

He dances love with every breath,

turns each sorrow into rest.

Every face a sacred song,

every tear, where grace belongs,

Heaven whispers, softly so,

"Love’s the fire that makes you glow."

Preferisco il paradiso,

(yeah, my joy’s not made of gold)

Preferisco il paradiso,

(love’s the crown my heart will hold)

Preferisco il paradiso,

(let them laugh, I smile with soul)

Oh—preferisco il paradiso!

Street of saints, and street of thieves,

He breathes mercy through the leaves,

La città diventa canto,

tutto il cielo è un incanto.

He turns the pain into a game,

calls the children by their name,

Holiness with laughter’s art,

Rome reborn from one bright heart.

Heaven’s joy is not a crown,

it’s a dance when we kneel down,

And he sings beneath the sky,

“Don’t fear death — learn how to fly.”

Preferisco il paradiso,

(yeah, my joy’s not made of gold)

Preferisco il paradiso,

(love’s the crown my heart will hold)

Preferisco il paradiso,

(let them laugh, I smile with soul)

Oh—preferisco il paradiso!

No palace, no fame,

just fire in his name,

Heaven in his laughter,

love is what he came after.

Santo folle, cuore vero,

ride come il mondo intero,

In his eyes, eternal spring,

hear the angels start to sing—

Preferisco il paradiso,

(yeah, my joy’s not made of gold)

Preferisco il paradiso,

(love’s the crown my heart will hold)

Preferisco il paradiso,

(let them laugh, I smile with soul)

Oh—preferisco il paradiso!