Lyrics
Il Canto degli Italiani
Fratelli d’Italia,
l’Italia s’è desta,
dell’elmo di Scipio
s’è cinta la testa.
Dov’è la Vittoria?
Le porga la chioma,
ché schiava di Roma
Iddio la creò.
Stringiamci a coorte,
siam pronti alla morte,
l’Italia chiamò!
Sì!
Stringiamci a coorte,
siam pronti alla morte,
l’Italia chiamò!
English translation
Brothers of Italy,
Italy has awakened,
she has bound her head
with Scipio’s helmet.
Where is Victory?
Let her bow her hair,
for she was created by God
as a slave of Rome.
Let us unite in a cohort,
we are ready to die,
Italy has called!
Yes!
Let us unite in a cohort,
we are ready to die,
Italy has called!
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History
Il Canto degli Italiani (The Song of the Italians) is also very commonly known by its opening line: “Fratelli d’Italia” (“Brothers of Italy”).
‘Scipio’ refers to Scipio Africanus, the Roman general who defeated Hannibal - a symbol of Roman strength.
‘Stringiamci a coorte’ references the Roman military formation, meaning stand together, tightly united.
Sources
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