As a matter of fact, however, it was only composed two years after the end of the war adding new words onto a traditional harvesting song’s melody, with minimal metrical changes. Resistance fighters all over the world have adapted its lyrics to their situations, but here is the original text. The “invader” mentioned is the German Nazi army, while “partisan” was the name given to the Resistance fighters, who often hid in the mountains to escape their enemy.
Italian lyricsUna mattina mi son svegliato O partigiano portami via E se io muoio da partigiano Ma seppellirmi lassù in montagna, E poi le genti che passeranno, È questo e il fiore del partigiano o bella ciao… è questo il fiore del partigiano morto per la libertà |
English translationOne morning I woke up goodbye oh my beauty, goodbye oh my beauty, goodbye oh my beauty, bye, bye, bye one morning I woke up and I found the invader. Oh partisan take me away And if I die as partisan?goodbye oh my beauty… But bury me up in the mountain And all the people who will pass by?goodbye oh my beauty… This is the flower of the partisan?goodbye oh my beauty… |