A song with a complicated and rich history which includes its own dose of blood and injustice, the anthem of the anti-fascist resistance and a symbol of the fight for freedom and liberty. This is the history behind the song Bella Ciao
Translation of the Italian Resistance version (video)
One morning i awakened
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao! (Goodbye beautiful)
One morning I awakened
And I found the invader.
Oh partisan carry me away,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
oh partisan carry me away
Because I feel death approaching.
And if I die as a partisan,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and if I die as a partisan
then you must bury me.
Bury me up in the mountain,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
bury me up in the mountain
under the shade of a beautiful flower.
And all those who shall pass,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and all those who shall pass
will tell me "what a beautiful flower."
This is the flower of the partisan,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
this is the flower of the partisan
who died for freedom
The story behind the original version
The song traces its roots back to the Northern Italian region of Po Valley in the late 19th century. It was originally sung by the Mondina women, the rice field workers as a way to cope and protest against the terrible working conditions. Mondinas came from the poorest social classes which didn't give them much rights and respect.They would spend their workdays barefoot in knee-high water and their back bent for many hours at a time, this combined with long working hours and vary low pay led to constant dissatisfaction and at times riots. These were usually unsuccessful because there were always other workers who were willing to work for even less pay, which tells a lot about their living conditions at that time.
(The mondina women working in rice fields)
The anthem of the anti-fascist resistance
The song was eventually modified and accepted as the anthem of the anti-fascist movement by the Italian Partisans during the Italian resistance (1943-1945) where they went against Nazi Germany forces occupying Italy, as well as during the Italian civil war aimed at the fascist Italian Social Republic. The partisans were mostly ex-soldiers who were still in possession of their weapons, but many were young men who ran from Mussolini's attempts to recruit them.
Women played their part in the resistance by supplying the partisans with clothing and medication, organizing strikes and demonstrations, and spreading anti-fascist propaganda; they served in large number and had significant influence on the outcome.
After two years of constant ups and downs, and so much spilled blood the partisans took the victory and with it brought so much change. When the war ended Mussolini attempted to escape over the Swiss border, but an Italian partisan recognized him and by doing that sealed his faith; he was executed the very following day. With the anti-fascist victory came the liberation of the country and the birth of the Italian Republic.
(Italian partisans during the Resistance)
(Mussolini's execution, second on the left)
Why is it impolite to sing it in Italy?
Even though the song is about the idea of giving your life for freedom and liberty, it provokes painful memories in Italians; especially in older generations who saw the war first hand or even participated in the resistance. The casualties of the Resistance amounted to more than 70,000 Italian lives, some being of partisans others of civilians. Nearly every Italian family has been affected by it, many having to deal with the pain of losing a loved one to war. It’s because of the sacrifices they had to make and the painful memories that this song evokes, that it’s considered impolite to play it in Italy.
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