What is the Italian national anthem?
The Italian national anthem is 'Il Canto degli Italiani', also known as 'Fratelli d'Italia' ('Brothers of Italy') and 'Inno di Mameli' ('Mameli's Hymn'), after the author of the lyrics. In most occasions the opening verse is sung twice followed by the chorus and it is rarely sung in full.
When was the Italian national anthem composed?
Inspired by the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, Goffredo Mameli wrote the lyrics to 'Il Canto degli Italiani' in 1847 as a call for Italians to rise up and insist Italy should be recognised as its own country. It was set to music by German composer Michele Novaro.
Despite the song's growing popularity it was 'Marcia Reale' ('Royal March'") that was chosen instead as Italy's official anthem when the country unified in 1861 and was proclaimed the Kingdom of Italy. It would take 85 years, and two world wars, before Goffredo Mameli's lyrics became the national anthem in 1946, and then it was just the provisional one. It would be another whopping 71 years before it was formally recognised, but finally in 2017 'Il Canto degli Italiani', officially became Italy's national anthem.
By the way, we also have the lyrics to the national anthems of Italy's Group B rivals at the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament. Here are lyrics to the Croatian national anthem, and to the national anthem of Albania, 'Himni i Flamurit'. And here is some background (though no lyrics - we explain just why) to the Spanish national anthem.
What are the lyrics to Italy's national anthem in English?
Brothers of Italy, Italy has woken, bound Scipio's helmet Upon her head. Where is Victory? Let her bow down, Because [as a] slave of Rome God created her
Chorus Let us join in a cohort, we are ready to die. We are ready to die, Italy has called. Let us join in a cohort, We are ready to die. We are ready to die, Italy has called!
We were for centuries downtrodden, derided, because we are not one people, because we are divided. Let one flag, one hope gather us all. The hour has struck for us to unite.
Chorus
Let us unite, let us love one another, Union and love Reveal to the peoples The ways of the Lord. Let us swear to set free The land of our birth: United, by God, Who can overcome us?
Chorus
From the Alps to Sicily, Legnano is everywhere; Every man has the heart and hand of Ferruccio The children of Italy Are all called Balilla; Every trumpet blast sounds the Vespers.
Chorus
The mercenary swords Are feeble reeds.[ Already the Eagle of Austria Has lost its plumes.[ The blood of Italy, the Polish blood[N 24] It drank, along with the Cossack,[N 25] But it burned its heart.[N 26]
Chorus
What are the original Italian lyrics to the Italian national anthem?
Fratelli d'Italia, l'Italia s'è desta, dell'elmo di Scipio s'è cinta la testa. Dov'è la Vittoria? Le porga la chioma, ché schiava di Roma Iddio la creò.
Coro Stringiamci a coorte, siam pronti alla morte. Siam pronti alla morte, l'Italia chiamò. Stringiamci a coorte, siam pronti alla morte. Siam pronti alla morte, l'Italia chiamò!
Noi fummo da secoli calpesti, derisi, perché non siam popolo, perché siam divisi. Raccolgaci un'unica bandiera, una speme: di fonderci insieme già l'ora suonò.
Coro
Uniamoci, amiamoci, l'unione e l'amore rivelano ai popoli le vie del Signore. Giuriamo far libero il suolo natio: uniti, per Dio, chi vincer ci può?
Coro
Dall'Alpi a Sicilia dovunque è Legnano, ogn'uom di Ferruccio ha il core, ha la mano, i bimbi d'Italia si chiaman Balilla, il suon d'ogni squilla i Vespri suonò.
Coro
Son giunchi che piegano le spade vendute: già l'Aquila d'Austria le penne ha perdute. Il sangue d'Italia, il sangue Polacco, bevé, col cosacco, ma il cor le bruciò. Coro
Find lyrics to the different national anthems here