“Bella ciao” (Italian pronunciation: [ˈbɛlla ˈtʃaːo]; “Goodbye beautiful”) is an Italian protest folk song from the late 19th century, originally sung by the mondina workers in protest against the harsh working conditions in the paddy fields of northern Italy.
It is generally accepted that the song was modified and adopted as an anthem of the Italian resistance movement by the partisans who opposed nazi-fascism between 1943 and 1945 during their fight against the occupying forces of Nazi Germany allied to the fascist and collaborationist Italian Social Republic, although some historians argue that there is little to no evidence that this song was actually sung by Italian partisans.
Versions of “Bella ciao” continue to be sung worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom and resistance.
Lyrics
Una mattina mi son’ svegliato
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Una mattina mi son’ svegliatoE ho trovato l’invasorO partigiano, portami via
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
O partigiano, portami viaChé mi sento di morirE se io muoio da partigiano
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
E se io muoio da partigiano
Tu mi devi seppellir
E seppellire lassù in montagna
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
E seppellire lassù in montagna
Sotto l’ombra di un bel fiorTutte le genti che passeranno
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Tutte le genti che passeranno
Mi diranno: Che bel fior
E quest’ è il fiore del partigiano
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
E quest’è il fiore del partigiano
Morto per la libertàE quest’è il fiore del partigiano
