Bella Ciao
Primer Level, A
The lyrics to this song were written in the early 1950’s to honor those who had put their lives on the line to expel the Nazis from Italy. The melody and original words, though, are much older. They were originally sung by female laborers in the rice fields who endured harsh conditions and demeaning treatment from their bosses.
The words may be translated like this:
This morning I awakened (Goodbye, beautiful, goodbye)…and I found the invader.
Oh partisan, carry me away…because I feel death approaching.
And if I die as a partisan…then you must bury me up in the mountain…under the shade of a beautiful flower.
And all those who shall pass…will say “what a beautiful flower.”
This is the flower of the partisan…who died for freedom.
The words may be translated like this:
This morning I awakened (Goodbye, beautiful, goodbye)…and I found the invader.
Oh partisan, carry me away…because I feel death approaching.
And if I die as a partisan…then you must bury me up in the mountain…under the shade of a beautiful flower.
And all those who shall pass…will say “what a beautiful flower.”
This is the flower of the partisan…who died for freedom.
