Digiuni comes from the verb digiunare, meaning 'to fast'. While it literally refers to abstaining from food, in this song, it carries a deeper, more metaphorical weight.
The lyric "Oggi digiuni e ancora non torni" (Today you fast and still don't return) suggests a form of self-deprivation or a struggle that the person is undergoing. It's an interesting word because it hints at a spiritual or personal battle, making the listener wonder about the character's journey and why they haven't returned.
This song is a heartfelt letter to a long-lost friend. The singer reflects on a shared past filled with music and wild youth, wondering what happened to his old companion and their black guitar. While the singer has moved on to a quieter, more mindful life—waking at dawn, walking in the woods, and even giving up drinking—his friend seems to be stuck in time, still the same person he was at twenty.
The tone shifts from nostalgia to concern as the singer reveals he's heard some bad news. He gives his friend advice on navigating the prison system, suggesting one facility is better than another, hinting at a serious crime. The song contrasts their rebellious past, where they proudly displayed their flaws on stage, with the commercialized music world of today. It's a poignant look at growing up, growing apart, and the love that remains for a friend who took a different, darker path.