“Bella Ciao” which translates to “Goodbye Beautiful” is an Italian folk song that was used as an anthem for the anti-fascist resistance and sung worldwide as a hymn of freedom. 

It was sung by the resistance during World War II in opposition to the Italian Social Republic.

The song has roots dating back to the late 19th century when it was sung by rice field workers. It describes the Mondina women, who are female rice weeders.

During the global COVID-19 lockdown, Bella Ciao became a symbol of unity. 

In the Spanish series La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), it is one of the key songs in the storyline. It recurs across several episodes and represents the unbreakable bond among the characters.

The series features a professor and his older brother, Berlin, as the two main characters. The professor's life revolves around the theme of resistance. His grandfather, who fought fascists in Italy, taught him the song, which is played during important moments in the story. 

Read the English translation of Bella Ciao translated by Paddy Shannon -

Woke up one morning and there were soldiers
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao
Woke up one morning and there were soldiers
The invasion had begun

Lend me your shoulder, we stand together
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao
Lend me your shoulder, we stand together
But now I feel my time is done

And if I die here, in the resistance
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao
And if I die here, in the resistance
You must lay me in my grave

Among the flowers, upon the mountain
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao,
 Among the flowers, upon the mountain
Let me rest among the brave

Someday people will pick the flowers
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao,
Someday people will pick the flowers
And they will remember me

This is the flower of resistance
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao ciao ciao
This is the flower of resistance
And those who died for liberty

However, a friend shared with me another translation as follows - 

One morning I awakened
Oh Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful! Bye! Bye!
One morning I awakened
And I found the invader
 

Oh partisan carry me away
Oh Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful! Bye! Bye!
Oh partisan carry me away
Because I feel death approaching

 
And if I die as a partisan
(And if I die on the mountain)
Oh Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful! Bye! Bye!
And if I die as a partisan
(And if I die on the mountain)
Then you must bury me

 
Bury me up in the mountain
(And you have to bury me)
Oh Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful! Bye! Bye!
Bury me up in the mountain
(And you have to bury me)
Under the shade of a beautiful flower

 
And the people who shall pass
(And all those who shall pass)
Oh Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful! Bye! Bye!
And the people who shall pass
(And all those who shall pass)
Will tell me: "what a beautiful flower"
(And they will say: "what a beautiful flower")

And this is the flower of the partisan
Oh Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful, Goodbye beautiful! 
Bye! Bye!
This is the flower of the partisan