What is the original language of the song 'Santa Lucia'?

The original language of the song “Santa Lucia” is Neapolitan.

The song is a traditional Neapolitan barcarola associated with Borgo Santa Lucia, a waterfront district on the Gulf of Naples. Its original lyrics invite listeners aboard a boat to enjoy the calm sea, cool breeze and evening scenery. That setting is why the song is a song about Naples rather than a hymn originally written for Saint Lucy’s feast.

Teodoro Cottrau published the song in Naples in 1849 and translated its Neapolitan text into Italian. The Italian version became internationally famous, leading many listeners to assume that Italian was the original language. In fact, the Neapolitan text came first; the familiar Italian lyrics are a later adaptation.

Scandinavian Lucia celebrations use the same melody with entirely different lyrics about candles, darkness and Saint Lucy. That seasonal association creates another common misunderstanding: the internationally known tune began as a seaside song, not as a Scandinavian Christmas or saint’s-day song.