Download PDF of O bella ciao

(We’ll have a version of O Bella Ciao for band available soon.)

Non violence is in its essence a method of communication by taking down walls and, if possible, making friends with the enemy and convincing them to change their ways. We always hope for that possibility. Often, we can do this work better through music than we can by yelling and arguing. Here‘s an interesting clip from The Tennesseean showing a confrontation at the No Kings demonstration in Nashville between the police, a group from The Proud Boys and a crowd of demonstrators. A lot of protestors were yelling and swearing; but a brass band stepped up and started playing O Bella Ciao. By the end of the song, the tension had dissipated and everybody, even the Proud Boys, were clapping and cheering for the music.

During World War II, this song of resistance was sung by the partisans. It is known and used widely in Europe and Latin America.  But it’s in Italian, not Spanish. O bella ciao is one of those melodies that can be deeply moving while also being adaptable for dancing.

Here is a famous performance of it by the popular Italian singer Milva:

For a totally different take on O bella ciao, here is an scherzando arrangement for band.

If you would like to learn more about the song, try this Wikipedia entry.