Bella Ciao “Goodbye Beautiful”, an Italian folk protest song, has become popular in many countries and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic to demonstrate support and solidarity. It is a popular anti-fascist song originating in the Italian civil war and sung across the world for freedom, solidarity and resistance. Over the last few weeks I collected various versions from as far afield as Spain, Kashmir, Brazil, Germany, Palestine and Italy. It has been sung by choirs, punk and rock bands, adapted for films, sung by workers and the broad left movements across the world.

BELLA CIAO

Bella ciao” (“Goodbye beautiful”) is an Italian protest folk song that originated in the hardships of the mondina women, the paddy field workers in the late 19th century who sang it to protest against harsh working conditions in the paddy fields of North Italy. The song was modified and adopted as an anthem of the anti-fascist resistance by the Italian partisans between 1943 and 1945 during the Italian Resistance, the resistance of Italian partisans against the Nazi German forces occupying Italy, and, during the Italian Civil War, the Italian partisan struggle against the fascist Italian Social Republic and its Nazi German allies. Versions of “Bella ciao” are sung worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom and resistance (wikipedia).

I also found this insightful article by the Voices of Youth about the history of the song.

Farmers Protest in India

A recent beautiful rendition by Poojan Sahil depicting the strike and hardships of Indian farmers against the Modi government.

Beautiful saxophone rendition from a balcony in Italy

Kurdish musicians collaborated to render a Kurdish version

A group of German neighbours sing in solidarity.

BELLA CIAO LYRICS

The are two version of the song – the Mondine and the Partisan.  The Mondine version was sung by protesting Mondina women against the harsh conditions of the Italian paddy fields while the Partisan version was adapted during the second world war by the Italian partisans to protest against Nazi Germany and Italian fascists.

MONDINE

In the morning I got up
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao (Goodbye beautiful)
In the morning I got up
To the paddy rice fields, I have to go.

And between insects and mosquitoes
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and between insects and mosquitoes
a hard work I have to work.

The boss is standing with his cane
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
the boss is standing with his cane
and we work with our backs curved.

Oh my god, what a torment
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
oh my god, what a torment
as I call you every morning.

And every hour that we pass here
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and every hour that we pass here
we lose our youth.

But the day will come when us all
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
but the day will come when us all
will work in freedom

“Bella Ciao (delle Mondine)” (www.antiwarsongs.org)

PARTISAN

One morning I awakened,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao! (Goodbye beautiful)
One morning I awakened
And I found the invader.

Oh partisan carry me away,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
oh partisan carry me away
Because I feel death approaching.

And if I die as a partisan,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and if I die as a partisan
then you must bury me.

Bury me up in the mountain,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
bury me up in the mountain
under the shade of a beautiful flower.

And all those who shall pass,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
and all those who shall pass
will tell me “what a beautiful flower.”

This is the flower of the partisan,
oh bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
this is the flower of the partisan
who died for freedom

“UNA DICHIARAZIONE D’AMORE”

Flamenco Interpretation by Juan Pinilla and Amparanoia for the European Left Congress

Kashmiri women adapt the tune to protest their lock down by the Indian government

Palestine rendition

Sadly this song has been deleted

https://youtu.be/EBKdrzaVmVk

Turkey

The Grup Yorum rotating folk band members have for many years been jailed and allegedly tortured for their protests songs and popular concerts. Sadly two members have died from a hunger strike during the pandemic. Vocalist Helin Bolek died on 3rd April 2020 and bass guitarist Ibrahim Gokcek died on 7th May 2020.

French Rendition

Tribute to the late Anita Lane (18 March 1960 – 28 April 2021)

Tom Waits & Marc Ribot – Bella Ciao (Goodbye Beautiful)

MAKING OF ALEGRIÀ e LIBERTÀ – Bella Ciao ft. Valtonyc

This catchy and inspirational song is leaving an indelible mark on the world. It continues to be sung in solidarity and protest to signify our common humanity and the struggles we face.