Original in Spanish: Bella Ciao y las mondine
Turns out Bella Ciao is actually a traditional song of Italian women workers who harvested rice (they’re called mondine) in miserable conditions.
I only just found out.
In that context “bella ciao” referred to losing their youth to the work, or to greeting each other and saying goodbye between workmates… I don’t know.
The lyrics have been changed loads of times.
Alla mattina appena alzata O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao ciao Alla mattina appena alzata In risaia mi tocca andar
E fra gli insetti e le zanzare O bella ciao E fra gli insetti e le zanzare Duro lavoro mi tocca far
Il capo in piedi col suo bastone O bella ciao Il capo in piedi col suo bastone E noi curve a lavorar
(Facebook, 2025-11-01)