As Italian resistance against the Nazi-fascist forces was reaching its climax and military action in Italy was at its highest point, a simple, traditional song called Bella ciao became hugely popular among Partisans (the above version is by a band called Modena City Ramblers).
The author is unknown, but according to some, the song was written by a Florentine doctor turned Partisan, though there’s no actual proof of it.
Here are its first lines:Una mattina mi son svegliato,o bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!Una mattina mi son svegliatoe ho trovato l’invasorOne morning I woke up,goodbye, beautiful, goodbye! Goodbye, beautiful, goodbyeOne morning I woke upand found the Invader The song, which gradually grows nostalgic and turns into a touching farewell to youth, extols the virtues of all those who take up arms against the invaders.
The tune has since become very popular with rebel movements all around the world.
There’s a Spanish version of it that Zapatists in Chiapas and Pioneers in Cuba sing all the time (though in Cuba they substitute the word Guerrillero for the word Partisan).
Bella Ciao has also been translated into Chinese.
After the jump you will be able to find the classic version of the song.
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