Bella ciao
Bandiera rossa Lyrics

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Una mattina mi sono alzato
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Una mattina mi sono alzato
E ho trovato l'invasor
O partigiano, portami via
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
O partigiano, portami via
Che mi sento di morir

E se muoio da partigiano
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
E se muoio da partigiano
Tu mi devi seppellir
Seppellire sulla montagna
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Seppellire sulla montagna
Sotto l'ombra di un bel fior
E le genti che passeranno
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
E le genti che passeranno
Ti diranno "che bel fior"
Questo è il fiore del partigiano
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Questo è il fiore del partigiano
Morto per la libertà

Questo è il fiore del partigiano
Morto per la libertà

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Bella Ciao" are a poignant tribute to the Italian Resistance fighters who struggled against fascism during World War II. In this song, the singer wakes up one morning to find the invader, presumably the German occupying forces, in his land. He calls out to the partisans to come and take him away, as he feels he is dying. He expresses his desire to be buried on a mountain under the shade of a beautiful flower. When people pass by his grave, they will be told that it is the flower of a partisan who died for freedom. The song is a powerful reminder of the sacrifice that people made to resist oppression during the war.

The lyrics are passionate and emotive, and speak to the human cost of war and oppression. Despite being written during a specific historical context, they can still resonate today, as people continue to fight for freedom and liberty around the world. The idea of being buried under a beautiful flower is a powerful symbol, evoking both the beauty of nature and the nobility of the partisan cause. Overall, the song is a moving tribute to those who gave their lives in the fight against fascism.

Line by Line Meaning

Una mattina mi sono alzato
One morning I woke up

O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

Una mattina mi sono alzato
One morning I woke up

E ho trovato l'invasor
And I found the invader

O partigiano, portami via
Oh partisan, take me away

O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

O partigiano, portami via
Oh partisan, take me away

Che mi sento di morir
For I feel I'm dying

E se muoio da partigiano
And if I die as a partisan

O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

E se muoio da partigiano
And if I die as a partisan