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!