Signora Sheila

National anthems evoke many thoughts and feelings. They can inspire anything from healthy love of country to overly aggressive patriotism. Music has an extraordinary ability to ignite hearts and passions. And Song of the Italians, the national anthem of Italy, is no exception.

Not being Italian, I can’t really say what the The Song of the Italians does to the Italian heart and mind, though I imagine that probably changes with each generation. But I do have an idea what it might have meant to our Zio Pietro (Peter). Listen to the audio file below, and try to imagine Zio Pietro’s thoughts as he listened to it.

[Italy’s National Anthem via Wikimedia.]

The Zio was so happy that we moved into the house where we now live. He grew up in it and even planted our two olive trees, which are now 40-50 years old! Spry and cheerful until his death at the age of 92 a few years ago, we often passed him on his long walks around town.

But most of all, he loved to tell visitors about the old days! We always found him ready with a warm welcome and a good story. Like how he and his wife lived in our 630 square foot house with his parents and two unmarried sisters after they got married.

Although he often repeated the same stories, we listened eagerly! And he always thanked us for buying and fixing up his father’s house. Knowing that the old place would live on seemed to bring him great joy!

Mario and I have a special affinity for the elderly. He, perhaps, because he was raised by older parents; 42 and 43 when he was born. And I grew up with grandparents and even a great-grandmother! We love to talk to them. Hearing about days gone by and learning from their wisdom.

Zio Pietro’s best story

But the Zio’s best story, or at least our favorite, was about his trip home from Russia after World War II.

We always realized how easy we’d had it after hearing about his transcontinental trek on foot. In the bitter cold of winter, with his feet wrapped in rags. The railroads of Europe lay in ruins around him.

And we always came away with the feeling of being in the presence of greatness. The feeling that we’d entered a bygone era. A generation that believed there were things in this world worth fighting for. And people who were willing to suffer and die for their people and their nation.

Song of the Italians

Zio Pietro would certaintly have known The Song of the Italians, or Brothers of Italy, as it is also known.

Although Italians usually refer to it as Mameli’s Hymn, in honor of its author. This popular patriotic battle hymn was already well known in the mid 1800s. But it wasn’t until the end of World War II that it became the unofficial national anthem.

Let us join in a cohort (military unit). We are ready to die. We are ready to die, Italy has called, the chorus says.

When he heard these words of victory, courage, and hope, did he remember the long march from Russia? Was he glad that he had fought for his brothers in Italy?

The unofficial status of the anthem lasted from 1946 until 2012, when it was made official. Which for us is quite symbolic of Italy, the land of slow life. “We’ll get around to it domani (tomorrow),” they say. But here in Italy, domani is often a long time in arriving!

Can’t you just picture Zio Pietro marching home from Russia, back straight, rifle on shoulder? That familiar refrain playing in his head.

How did you feel when you listened the song of the Italians? And how does your national anthem make you feel?

📷 Images are mine