Bella ciao
Ruminaatio Lyrics
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Oi, bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Aamulla varhain kivääriin tartuin, sen käänsin kohti sortajaa
Käy partisaani nyt rinnalleni
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Käy partisaani nyt rinnalleni ja kohtaloni aavistan
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Kun surmaluodin, saan taistelussa, toverit minut haudatkaa
Sen haudan ylle, kauniina jääköön
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Sen haudan ylle, kauniina jääköön vuoriston kukka kasvamaan
Niin, että kansa voi vuoritiellä
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Niin, että kansa voi vuoritiellä sen nähdä hiljaa hehkuvan
The lyrics to "Bella Ciao" by Ruminaatio tell the story of a resistance fighter who wakes up early in the morning and takes up his rifle to fight against oppressors. He calls upon his fellow partisans to join him, predicting his own fate. He knows that he will be buried by his comrades if he dies in battle, and he asks that a mountain flower be allowed to grow above his grave. The final lines suggest that the spirit of the fallen fighter will live on and burn brightly like the flower on the hill, so that the people can see it shining from the mountain road.
The song is a traditional Italian folk song that has been used as a symbol of resistance and rebellion around the world. It was a popular song among Italian partisans fighting against fascism during World War II. It has also been adopted as an anthem by labor unions in various countries, as well as by civil rights activists in the United States during the 1960s. The song has been recorded by many artists over the years in a variety of different languages.
Line by Line Meaning
Aamulla varhain kivääriin tartuin
In the early morning, I grabbed my rifle
Oi, bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Aamulla varhain kivääriin tartuin, sen käänsin kohti sortajaa
In the early morning, I grabbed my rifle and aimed it towards my oppressor
Käy partisaani nyt rinnalleni
Come, partisan, stand beside me
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Käy partisaani nyt rinnalleni ja kohtaloni aavistan
Come, partisan, stand beside me and I sense my fate
Kun surmaluodin, saan taistelussa
When I get the deadly bullet in battle
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Kun surmaluodin, saan taistelussa, toverit minut haudatkaa
When I get the deadly bullet in battle, bury me alongside my comrades
Sen haudan ylle, kauniina jääköön
Over the grave, may a beautiful mountain flower grow
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Sen haudan ylle, kauniina jääköön vuoriston kukka kasvamaan
Over the grave, may a beautiful mountain flower grow to flourish
Niin, että kansa voi vuoritiellä
So that people along the mountain road
Oi bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
Oh, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, beautiful goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Niin, että kansa voi vuoritiellä sen nähdä hiljaa hehkuvan
Can quietly see it glowing
Writer(s): Pertti Saaritsa
Contributed by Adalyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.