Hearing Bella Ciao is inevitable if you’re on Instagram or ever had a Netflix phase. In the ever-popular show Money Heist, the song had us gripped, hook, line, and sinker. But while bingeing on the show or listening to the music on repeat, you didn’t realize that that song dates back to the 19th century.
Bella Ciao is actually an Italian protest folk song! Just like the characters in the show, the mondina workers sang it against the severe working conditions in Northern Italy’s paddy fields.
Is your curiosity peaked? Read on to discover more about Bella Ciao!
Written lyrics
Can you recall the moving lyrics from Money Heist? Here’s how Bella Ciao used to go!
Alla mattina appena alzata
o bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao, ciao, ciao
alla mattina appena alzata
in risaia mi tocca andar.
E fra gli insetti e le zanzare
o bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao
e fra gli insetti e le zanzare
un dur lavoro mi tocca far.
Il capo in piedi col suo bastone
o bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao
il capo in piedi col suo bastone
e noi curve a lavorar.
O mamma mia o che tormento
o bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao
o mamma mia o che tormento
io t’invoco ogni doman.
Ed ogni ora che qui passiamo
o bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao
ed ogni ora che qui passiamo
noi perdiam la gioventù.
Ma verrà un giorno che tutte quante
o bella ciao bella ciao bella ciao ciao ciao
ma verrà un giorno che tutte quante
lavoreremo in libertà.
Printable lyrics
Get in the mood for revolution and strength by downloading a printable version for you or your children’s room. Grab your copy here.
Photo lyrics
Video links
Watch the original song that sparked the ambers of mutiny here:
Origins and history
The authorship and origins of Bella Ciao are unclear. Some sources claim that the song started off as “Alla mattina appena alzata” and was sung by seasonal paddy farmers. Placed between the latter part of 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the song could’ve seen its origin in Italy’s Po Valley.
The workers were kept under harsh working conditions. They were forced to work barefoot while knee-deep in water and bent back for several hours. Their work was rewarded with low pay and no benefits.
Bella Ciao became the voice of resistance and was sung during the liberation movement. Italian anti-fascist and anti-Nazi movements later adopted the song. Although the same was relatively rare during the partisan war, it became popular during and after World War II.
The song evolved as it went through different countries and was translated to suit their specific needs. Its latest version, as sung right now, was first published in 1953 in the magazine La Lapa and later in L’Unità in 1957.
FAQ
Contrary to popular belief, the song wasn’t born out of the partisan movement. In fact, it was written during the 19th century by female rice paddy field workers. The music emerged in the country’s northeastern region.
Bella Ciao started off as an Italian resistance song that highlighted the issues faced by the mondina women who worked as paddy field workers. They were subjected to harsh working conditions and were awarded low pay for several work hours.
Pronounced as “chow,” it can mean both hello and goodbye in casual Italian slantation
Bella is a singular feminine pronoun and means “beautiful” in Italian.
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