La Leggenda Del Piave (“The Legend of the Piave”) is an Italian patriotic song written by E.A. Mario (otherwise known as Giovanni Gaeta).  Even though he was very successful, it was said that E.A. Mario never wanted to be wealthy; he donated many of his medals and a lot of his money to different charities and organizations.

 

This song was written about the Piave River, which in World War I “became the main line of Italian defense” (“Piave River”, 2013).  In 1918, the Italians fought in The Battle of the Piave, a victory battle for the Italians in World War I, which is why this composition is so very full of cheer, patriotism, and enthusiasm.  Posted below is the English translation of the original Italian piece.  As one can see, this song chronicles the famous battle from beginning to end, which is why it is divided into four distinct parts -  the initial march of the Italians to reach the frontier, the Italian loss and shame at Caporetto, the difficulties and struggles they faced along the Piave, and Italy’s victory.

 

Although this musical composition denotes an Italian victory, Italian immigrants did not stop being proud of their accomplishments even when they were in America.  This song was often performed during ceremonies and events in Italy and the Italians brought it to their newfound residencies – it was also played in performed in America’s (most specifically New York’s) prevalently Italian populated areas.  Happiness is quite present whenever this anthem of victory is performed, for the Italians are truly proud of their triumph and want to share their pride, patriotism, and enthusiasm with their new society, ultimately conveying the notion that they are proud of where they came from.  

 

English translation:

 

The Piave whispered calm and placid during the crossing

of the first infantrymen on 24 May;

the army marched on to reach the frontier

to make a wall against the enemy.

the silent infantrymen passed in the night

they had to be silent and go forward.

From the beloved river banks they heard

light and low the exultation of the waves.

It was a sweet and propitious omen.

The Piave whispered: the foreigner shall not pass!

 

But on a sad night, they talked about a dark event,

the Piave felt the wrath and the dismay.

Alas, he saw so many people coming down, leaving their homes;

because of the shame that had taken place in Caporetto.

Refugees everywhere, from the distant mountains,

they came to crowd all his bridges.

They heard from the violated river-banks

light and sad the murmur of the waves

Like a sob in that black autumn

the Piave whispered: the foreigner is returning!

 

And the enemy returned, moved by his pride and by his hunger,

he wanted to vent all his cravings.

He saw the sunny plain from up there,

he wanted to feed and to exult like in the past.

No! the Piave said, "No!" said the infantrymen,

"May the enemy never make a single step ahead!"

They saw the Piave swelling from his banks

and his waves were fighting like the infantrymen.

Red with the blood of the haughty enemy,

the Piave ordered them: "Go back, foreigner!"

 

Then the enemy withdrew to Trieste, to Trento

and victory spread her wings on the air.

The ancestral oath was honored; among the ranks they saw

Oberdan, Sauro and Battisti resurrecting.

At last the Italic courage broke

the gallows tree and the weapons of the hangman.

Secure the Alps, free the shores,

the Piave was silent, the waves appeased.

On the motherland's soil, the grim empires vanquished,

peace found neither oppressed people nor foreigners.

 

* A YouTube link has been provided to hear a perfomance of La Leggenda del Paive.  We do not claim ownership of this video.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Piave River. (2013). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/459212/Piave-River

 

 

Metadata tags: Lyrics; La Leggenda del Piave; Battle of the Piave; Piave River; Music; Italian victory; Patriotism; 1919; World War I; E.A. Mario