Giuseppe Garibaldi was an Italian leader, propagandist, and soldier of the Risorgimento, a “19th-century movement for Italian unification that culminated in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861” (“Risorgimento”, 2013).  Garabaldi was said to have been a man who truly cared for his people and that he knew how to impact them with a personable and patriotic quality.  Garibaldi’s “use of his military and political gifts for liberal or nationalist causes coincided well with current fashion and brought him great acclaim. In addition, he attracted support by being a truly honest man who asked little for himself” (“Giuseppe Garibaldi”, 2013). 

 

This document contains a set of lyrics to Inno di Garibaldi, a popular hymn that was written by the poet Luigi Mercantini that was said to have been Italy’s first national anthem. The creation of this piece is actually quite interesting; one day Garibaldi and his wife alongside Mercanti and many other others prominent Italian figures attended a meeting concerning the “Cacciatori delle Alpi (Alpine Huntsmen)”, a group of volunteers that helped fight in another battle against Austria.  While many political issues arose, side conversations emerged, and Garibaldi suggested that Mercanti write a song for all of his volunteers.  Mercanti politely replied that he would try to, and within a few months, Inno di Garibaldi (“Anthem of Garibaldi”) was written.  This song became extremely popular amongst the Italians, most specifically immigrants, due to the fact that it was one of the only hymns that was not banned by the Risorgimento (“Giuseppe Garibaldi”, 2013).  Posted below is the English translation of the original Italian piece.

 

If someone is to know only one thing about hymns, it should be that they are typically to be sung in unison.  When Italian immigrants came together to sing this song, they were collectively praising their homeland.  Through expression via music, these immigrants were conveying that even though they were in a new land, they were still happy and proud to be of Italian decent. 

 

English translation (very rough):

 

It scopron the graves, the dead rise

Our martyrs are all resurrected!

The swords in hand, the laurels to their foliage,

the flame and the name of Italy in my heart:

We come, we come! On or young hosts,

of the wind for all our flags

On all with iron, all with fuoco,

s u all of Italy with fire in my heart.

 

Chorus:

It should be out of Italy,

goes out which is the time!

It should be' out of Italy,

goes outside or alien!

 

The land of flowers, the sounds and poems

what was the return to earth of arms !

Percent of the chains avvinser hand ,

but even Legnano knows the knife brandir .

Stick German Italy not tamed,

do not grow to the yoke of the races in Rome:

Italy does not want more foreigners and tyrants ,

are already too many years that lasts serve .
 

Chorus

 

The houses of Italy are made to us,

there is the house of the Danube ' yours;

fields you there fault , you the bread c'involi ,

our children for us vogliam them .

Son the Alps and borders three seas of Italy,

the chariot of fire rompiam the Apennines:

destroyed every trace of the old frontier,

our flag for all innalziam .

 

Chorus

 

If you still dell'Alpi tentasser the battlements,

the cry of alarm will Garibaldi,

and arms himself - to the sound that comes from Caprera -

Thousands of people whom Etna assaulted.

And behind the red edge of the good

you muovon of Italy tents and ships:

already on the weapon of the credit rat warrior ,

the bold Vittorio spurred steed .

 

Chorus

 

Forever fell the pride of the wicked

To say: Long live Italy , is the King at the Capitol !

The Seine and the Thames salutes and honors

the old lady who returns to reign .

Contenta of the kingdom, between the islands and the mountains ,

threat to tyrants only the fronts:

wherever people percota a tyrant ,

his children will come by land and sea!

 

Chorus

 

* A YouTube link has been provided to actually hear Inno di Garibaldi performed.  Note: we do not claim ownership of this video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Giuseppe Garibaldi. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved

from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/225978/Giuseppe-Garibaldi

 

Risorgimento. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved

from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/504489/Risorgimento

 

 

Metadata tags: Lyrics; National Anthem; Music; Hymn; Giuseppe Garibaldi; Italian pride; Risorgimento; Alpine huntsman; New York City; Luigi Mercantini