Bandiera Rossa

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Bandiera Rossa, often also called Avanti Popolo for its first lines, is one of the most famous songs of the labour movement and glorifies the red flag, symbol of the socialist and later communist movement. The text was written by Carlo Tuzzi in 1908, the melody is taken from two lombardian folk songs.

Apart from the first Italian text, there are several variants which aim at certain socialist or communist parties. The last two lines "Evviva il comunismo e la libertà" were put in the text after the rise of Mussolini; at the same time the original beginning "Compagni avanti alla riscossa" was changed to "Avanti o popolo, alla riscossa". Especially the word "communismo" at the end of the chorus is often replaced with "socialismo".

[edit] Excerpt from the text

1. Strophe: Avanti o popolo, alla riscossa, Bandiera rossa, Bandiera rossa. Avanti o popolo, alla riscossa, Bandiera rossa trionferà. Refrain: Bandiera rossa la trionferà Bandiera rossa la trionferà Bandiera rossa la trionferà Evviva il comunismo e la libertà.

Literal Translation Forward people, to the revolt The red flag, the red flag Forward people, to the revolt, The red flag will triumph Refrain: The red flag will triumph, The red flag will triumph, The red flag will triumph, Long live communism and liberty