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A very emotional song with a historical
background:
In 1943 Southern Italy surrendered to allied
(i.e. US) troops in Sicily, which ended the
fascist regime and WWII for Italians in the
South. The Central and Northern parts of
Italy, however, got occupied by Italian and
German fascists / nazi troops. Resistance
started mostly in the mountains of Central
and Northern Italy around the fall of 1943:
The partisans were normal, average people,
men and women, who risked their lives and the
lives of their families to free their country
from the inhumane fascist regime. Many were
shot, hanged or tortured to death. For one
killed German soldier German SS troops would
kill up to 100 Italian civilians. One case
became particularly famous: A German officer
ordered to lock all inhabitants of a small
village, old men, women and children in a
little chapel. The German troops threw hand
grenades into the chapel and burned it. Being
half German half Italian this history is
particularly interesting and difficult for
me.
This is the partisans' sad and emotional
song. Here is a rough translation:
One morning, just risen from bed
Oh Bella ciao ... (Goodbye, my beautiful)
One morning, just risen from bed
I discovered the invaders
Oh partisan, carry me away
Oh Bella ciao ...
Oh partisan, carry me away
For I feel I'm dying
And if I die as a partisan
Oh Bella ciao ...
And if I die as a partisan
You must burry me!
Burry me way up in the mountains
Oh Bella ciao ...
Burry me way up in the mountains
Under the shadow of a beautiful flower
And the people passing by
Oh Bella ciao ...
And the people passing by
Will tell "What a beautiful flower!"
And that's the flower of the partisan
Oh Bella ciao ...
And that's the flower of the partisan
Who died for freedom (liberty)
Died for freedom
Died for freedom!
Tags : Bella ciao versione partigiana |
