National anthems evoke a variety of thoughts and feelings. They can inspire anything from a healthy love of country to overly aggressive patriotism. Music has an extraordinary ability to ignite hearts and passions. The Song of the Italians, Italy’s national anthem, is no exception.
Since I’m not Italian, I can’t really say what the “The Song of the Italians” means to Italians. I would imagine its significance changes with each generation though. However, I have an idea of what it might have meant to our neighbor Zio Pietro which means “Uncle Peter.” Listen to the audio file below, and try to imagine his thoughts whenever he heard this song.
As a side note, here in Italy, older people are often affectionately addressed as “aunt or uncle,” even if they aren’t actually relatives.
[Italy’s National Anthem via Wikimedia.]
The Zio was so happy when we moved into our current home. It’s the house he grew up in and he even planted our two olive trees, which are now 40-50 years old! He was spry and cheerful until his death a few years ago at the age of 92. We would often pass him on his long walks around town.
He always thanked us for buying and fixing up his father’s house. He seemed to find great joy in knowing that the old place would live on!
Above all, he loved telling us about the old days. He was always ready with a warm welcome and a good story. He recounted how, as newlyweds, he and his wife, lived in our house with his parents and two unmarried sisters. 630 square feet is a pretty tiny house for six adults!
He often repeated the same stories, but we always listened eagerly!
Mario and I have a special affinity for the elderly. Perhaps it’s because he was raised by older parents who were 42 and 43 when he was born. I, on the other hand, grew up with all 4 grandparents and even a great-grandmother!
We love to talk to older people. We enjoy 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 during World War II. Hearing about that transcontinental trek, much of it on foot made us realize how easy we’ve always had it. Hundreds of miles through freezing steppes on foot in the bitter cold of winter, 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?
Photos are mine.