May Day 2010 - The gentle flower

A translation of Bella ciao
per tutti i compagni caduti

In the morning, I was awakened
Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!
Yes, in the morning, I was awakened
I saw invaders all around

O freedom fighter, take me from here,
Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!
O freedom fighter, take me from here,
Or else I’m sure to die of grief

And if I die a freedom fighter
Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!
And if I die a freedom fighter
You should bury me up high

Bury me high, high on the mountain,
Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!
Bury me high, high on the mountain
Under the gentle flower’s shade

And all the people who pass me by
Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!
And all the people who pass me by
Sing “The gentle flower” rime

“That’s the flower of freedom’s fighter
Bella, ciao! bella, ciao! bella, ciao, ciao, ciao!
“That’s the flower of freedom’s fighter
And he died in freedom’s cause”

© Simon M Hunter 2010

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