We may never know the true history of this antifa anthem, but we know it’s been sung by resistance workers for at least 100 years. As the fable goes, this old folk song from the rice fields of Modina, Italy was coopted by the antifascist and antinazi parties during the Italian Civil War.
However, the reason such a popular and widely distributed anthem’s roots are obfuscated is fascinating. It can be difficult to see where it originated because so many different versions exist as the sentiment spread to listeners globally. Even today, there is evidence of it coming back around with popular dance remixes and trends.
I asked AI to write me new verses for Bella Ciao to modernize it for American youth labor movements of today:
Verse 1: Every day we wake up, To fight for what we need, Our bosses and the system, Are the invaders we must defeat.
Chorus: Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao, Carry us away to victory, Against those who would exploit.
Verse 2: We know that death approaches, As we stand up for our rights, But we’ll fight until we’re heard, And we won’t back down from the fight.
Chorus: Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao, Carry us away to victory, Against those who would exploit.
Verse 3: If we fall as union soldiers, Bury us in union ground, Where we’ll rest with dignity, Our voices forever loud.
Chorus: Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao, Carry us away to victory, Against those who would exploit.
Verse 4: On that mountain we’ll be buried, Underneath the shining sun, And every passerby will say, Look what the union’s done.
Chorus: Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao, Carry us away to victory, Against those who would exploit.
Verse 5: This is the flower of the union, Our struggle will not die, For every worker’s right we’ll fight, Till justice is alive.
Chorus: Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao Ciao Ciao, Carry us away to victory, Against those who would exploit.
