Magna Græcia (Latin meaning "Great Greece", Greek: Μεγάλη Ἑλλάς, Megálē Hellás) is the name of the coastal areas of Southern Italy on the Tarentine Gulf that were extensively colonized by Greek settlers; particularly the Achaean colonies of Tarentum, Croton, and Sybaris, but also, more loosely, the cities of Cumae and Neapolis to the north. The colonists, who began arriving in the 8th century BC, brought with them their Hellenic civilization, which was to leave a lasting imprint in Italy, particularly on the culture of ancient Rome.
In the eighth and seventh centuries BC, for various reasons, including demographic crisis (famine, overcrowding, etc.), the search for new commercial outlets and ports, and expulsion from their homeland, Greeks began to settle in southern Italy (Cerchiai, pp. 14–18). Also during this period, Greek colonies were established in places as widely separated as the eastern coast of the Black Sea, Eastern Libya and Massalia (Marseille). They included settlements in Sicily and the southern part of the Italian Peninsula. The Romans called the area of Sicily and the heel of the boot of Italy Magna Graecia (Latin, “Great Greece”), since it was so densely inhabited by the Greeks. The ancient geographers differed on whether the term included Sicily or merely Apulia and Calabria — Strabo being the most prominent advocate of the wider definitions.
[Verse 1:]
Hey, baby, maybe you could sit down for a sec?
Get some coffee, maybe some tea, with me?
See, I've rehearsed this moment over, over, and again
What I would say and in what way today (Hey)
And I know we've become good friends now you and I
Talking the whole night, telling our whole lives, laughing 'til we cry
But all the while, while you dated other guys,
You couldn't see I wished it was me, baby (Baby)
[Chorus:]
Just come with me
And, darling, you'll see
I can be what you need
Just come with me
[Verse 2:]
I wish you'd take a chance on little old me
I just can't wait, we would be great, it's fate (Fate)
See, I'm not asking for a lifetime guarantee
We can go slow, see where it goes, who knows? (I think I know)
[Bridge:]
You're incredible
So phenomenal
[Verse 1:]
I must be dreaming
Words can't explain
The way that I feel when you look my way
It's hard to imagine
We've come this far
I've loved you every moment right from the start
[Chorus:]
And I will be
Your strength when you're weak
The courage you need
And I'll stay with you
For the rest of these years
I'll still be here
From now until forever's through
I'll be next to you
[Verse 2:]
When you're scared or lonely
With nowhere to run
When the world is on your shoulders
And it's hard to go on
I'll stand by your side
Come what may
You don't have to worry
I'm here to stay
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
When it's hard or when times get rough
When you don't feel strong enough
I'll keep you safe now and always
I will still be next to you
[Chorus x2: Key Change]
And I will be
Your strength when you're weak
The courage you need
And I'll stay with you
For the rest of these years
I'll still be here
From now until forever's through
[Coda:]
Always know that this is true
From now until forever's through
I'll be next to you
I will be next,
Love, what you been doin'?
Why did you go when,
When I really needed you to stay?
And love, when I think that you've found me
And I'm within your boundaries,
You just seem to want to go away
See, you walk right in and you go to my head
You leave just as fast and my heart breaks instead
And I want to run from you love,
But there's no breaking free,
You've got this hold on me
Love, what are you doing to me?
I can't play all your games
'Cause they all end the same
With me always beggin' you please not to go
Love, you know I'm ready this time
I've been here patiently
With my heart on my sleeve
Just waiting for you to come by
Oh, love, where are you hiding?
Or are you deciding
That I'm not too comfortable just yet?
But love, I'll tell you that I am
My heart is in your hands
I ain't gonna stop till you know that I am
[Verse 1:]
How do you start to write a song
For someone that words can't describe?
Do you begin with writing wrongs?
Or memories of your lives?
Maybe you tell a tale or two
Of things they have done for you
I might not know where to start
But I can tell you I
[Chorus:]
Am proud
To have you in my life
To grow up by your side
You gave your love to me
Unconditionally, and so
I'm proud
Of who I am today
From all the gifts you gave
You've inspired me to be proud
To love like you
[Verse 2:]
Every smile or every sigh
You always know just what to do
Some chocolate cake or apple pie
A warm glass of milk to go too
And when it seems my world is gone
You're telling me to hang on
I might not know where to go
But I can tell you I
[Bridge:]
What do you say
When saying "Thank you" is not quite right
I might not know where to end