Lyr Add: Bella Ciao (Italian folk song)

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Ferrara
Date: 02 Jan 98 - 09:26 AM

About the translation of the refrain of Bella Ciao: "Ciao" means either hello or goodbye in Italy. In this context, rather than "Hello fair lady, hello, hello," which implies a meeting, I believe it means "Goodbye my fair one, goodbye, goodbye." This strengthens the idea that the singer is going out as a partisan to fight the invaders, and is saying goodbye to his sweetheart, and reminding her that he may die in the fighting. It changes the feeling of the song.

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Ferrara
Date: 02 Jan 98 - 08:22 AM

Judy - Thank you, Thank you for "Ed Il Cappello." My father heard it as a kid in Italy, probably during World War I, and loved it. He finally found one recording, that wasn't very clear. I'm so glad to have it. It looks a little like an Italian version of "The biscuits in the Army, they say they're mighty fine, one rolled off the table and killed a pal of mine," which I also learned from my father. That is, at a first guess, it's a satire on the soldiers' equipment; the first verse says, I think that his hair serves as his umbrella, etc.

The "bionda," or frisky blond woman who supports liberty and Garibaldi, serves as the soldiers' star in heaven. Well, it makes sense in Italian. It looks as if the bit about the blonde is the chorus after each verse. Is that right?

One comment on Bella Ciao: the refrain isn't quite the way it's written above. It's

O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, caio --

Another fine song popular in WWI was "Quel Mazzolin Di Fiori." I think I saw it on one of the sites that Bill D. listed. My Dad said the Alpinisti, some of Italy's finest troops, marched past his town singing this song in a call-and-response mode and it was pure magic to hear them.

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 31 Dec 97 - 05:03 AM

This song is among the most popular Italian songs in Germany. Thanks to Bill D for the links.
Wolfgang

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Ezio
Date: 31 Dec 97 - 03:01 AM

Hi Two version of this song (.WAV format) are accessible at

http://www.unipr.it/arpa/facvet/temp/bc.htm

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MUDCATTERS! Ezio, Italy

Subject: Lyr Add: ED IL CAPELLO (Italian)
From: judy
Date: 29 Dec 97 - 11:34 PM

Ezio,

I'm glad you're better. And I can see you're really adding to the DT repertoire. Great! Thanks.

I've been out of touch: enjoying the holidays here. Here's one that's been floating around my brain since I looked through my music for Italian songs. It came from one of my favorite books (1000 CHANTS VOL. 1); a French book of folk songs from all over. The book gives no information on the songs so I don't know anything about it. It seems to be about what the soldiers take with them? Something about Garibaldi.

Ed Il Capello

Verse I Ed il capello che noi portiamo
Cio-e l'ombrella, cio-e l'ombrella
Ed il capello che noi portiamo
Cio-e l'ombrella, di noi solda
E tu biondina capricciossa garibaldina tru la la
Tu sei la stella, tu sei la stella
E tu biondina capricciossa garibaldina tru la la
Tu sei la stella, di noi solda

Verse II E le stellette che noi portiamo
Son disciplina di noi solda
E tu biondina (etc.)

Verse III E la boraccia che noi portiamo
L'e la cantina di noi solda

Verse IV
E la gavetta che noi portiam
L'e il lavandino di noi solda

Verse V
E le giberne che noi portiamo
Son ortacicche di noi solda
Verse VI
E questo zaino che noi portiam
L'e la dispensa di noi solda

Bill D: thanks for the Italian sites, I'll go check them out Ezio and everyone: I wish I could post the music, it's a snappy little tune, but I'm not there yet

judy

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Bill D
Date: 29 Dec 97 - 06:31 PM

here are 3 sites of Italian songs which my wife (who is Italian) found very nice....(much in Neapolitan dialect..).

click1

click2

click3

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From:
Date: 29 Dec 97 - 02:32 PM

There is an excellent Harmonia Mundi CD entitled "Bella Ciao", containing two versions of the song (I don't have it handy, or I would type in the catalog number), as well as a number of other very pretty Italian folk songs.

I got my copy at Tower Records for $10 within the last year, so it is available in the US.

Eric Berge

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From:
Date: 29 Dec 97 - 06:39 AM

Oh, sorry

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Ezio
Date: 24 Dec 97 - 04:16 AM

During next days I will try to give the chance of downloading of a .WAV file of this song via Internet. If you are interested, please e-mail me your e-mail address. When ready, I will post you the Internet address of the song.

-Ezio-

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Dec 97 - 02:18 AM

Any chance you can enter the melody as a MIDI, Ezio? This is a very interesting song. I'd sure like to hear it.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Alice
Date: 23 Dec 97 - 12:18 PM

Ezio, please email me at [e-mail] I would like to get a copy of the music, if possible, or a tape of a recording. thanks alice in montana

Subject: RE: ITALIAN FOLK SONG: Bella Ciao
From: Jon W.
Date: 23 Dec 97 - 10:26 AM

Ezio, I spent a couple of years in Italy (20 years ago) and used to speak Italian fairly well. As far as I'm concerned your English translation is fine.

Subject: Lyr Add: BELLA CIAO (trad Italian)
From: Ezio, Italy
Date: 23 Dec 97 - 09:33 AM

This is especially for JUDY who asked for Italian folk songs.

BELLA CIAO.

Born as rice-picker women's song, it was re-written by the Italian partisans, probably during the 1944/45 winter when they fought against German Nazis and Italian fascists on the cold mountains separating the North from the Central Italy.

It is considered the partisan's song for excellence and - fifty years later - it is still very popular in Italy. Lyric is very simple, so it speaks directly to heart. The same verse is repeated in every stanza; along with the first verse. The music is very rhythmical. Listened once, learnt forever.

Sorry for the bad translation, it's a task too hard for my English! I hope at least that the sense is clear. Also, I'll be grateful if someone could post a better translation. The tradition of this song deserves it.

Bye

Ezio

BELLA CIAO

Una mattina mi son svegliato...........One morning I woke up
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao....Hello fair lady, hello, hello
Una mattina mi son svegliato...........One morning I woke up
Ed ho trovato l'invasor......................And I've found the invader

O partigiano portami via...................Oh partisan take me away
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao....Hello fair lady, hello, hello
O partigiano portami via...................Oh partisan take me away
Che mi sento di morir.......................As I feel I'm dying

E se io muoio da partigiano..............And if I die as partisan
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao....Hello fair lady, hello, hello
E se io muoio da partigiano..............And if I die as partisan
Tu mi devi seppellir..........................You have to bury me

Mi seppellirai lassu' in montagna.....You will bury me up there on the mountains
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao....Hello fair lady, hello, hello
Mi seppellirai lassu' in montagna.....You will bury me up there over the mountains
Sotto l'ombra di un bel fior...............Under the shadow of a nice flower

E le genti che passeranno..................And the people who will pass by
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao....Hello fair lady, hello, hello
E le genti che passeranno..................And the people who will pass by
Mi diranno "che bel fior"..................They will say "what a fine flower"

Questo è il fiore del partigiano.........This is the flower of the partisan
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao....Hello fair lady, hello, hello
Questo è il fiore del partigiano.........This is the flower of the partisan
Morto per la liberta'..........................Dead for the freedom.