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A Modena, liberata dai suoi partigiani domenica 22 aprile 1945, la sera del 23 aprile fu data la notizia che era stato trovato un partigiano ucciso, sconosciuto a tutti, il quale aveva in tasca soltanto un pezzo di pane. La sua fotografia fu esposta per alcuni giorni sotto il portico del Collegio, nella località più centrale e più frequentata della città. Poi non se ne seppe più nulla. Questa poesia di un anonimo, appunto ispirata a questo episodio, comparve in quei giorni accanto alla fotografia dello sconosciuto. Dalle contese montagne, dalla ribelle pianura, con in tasca un pezzo di pane, a tracolla il vecchio moschetto, a liberarci tu sei venuto partigiano sconosciuto Quanto ignoto protettore noi t’avevamo invocato e nei giorni del terrore sotto il giogo maledetto, solo appoggio era il tuo aiuto partigiano sconosciuto Ma l’odio incontro ti mosse il dì della lotta aperta e camicia e bandiera rosse ti diventarono sul petto. Il tuo cuore si fermò muto, partigiano sconosciuto E in quel terribile schianto che barcollavi e morivi o nostro fratello santo santo, figlio nostro benedetto, Il tuo volto l’abbiam saputo partigiano sconosciuto Partigiano sconosciuto © 1959 Sergio Liberovici, Claudina Vaccari In "Partigiano sconosciuto," Sergio Liberovici set to music what was at the time an anonymous poem. Later, it was discovered that the poem had been written by another partisan from Modena, Claudina Vaccari. The song is sung by Michele Straniero. |
In Modena, liberated by its partisans on Sunday, April 22, 1945, on the evening of April 23 notice was given that a partisan had been found killed, unknown to everyone, who had in his pocket only a piece of bread. His photo was posted for several days under the portico of the Collegio, in the most central and frequented locale of the city. Then nothing more was known. This anonymous poem, specifically inspired by this episode, appeared in those days next to the photograph of the unknown man. From the contested mountains, from the rebel plains, a piece of bread in pocket, an old musket across the body, to liberate us you came, unknown partisan. Protector, so unidentified, we had summoned you and in the days of terror under the cursed yoke, the only support was your help, unknown partisan. But the hatred encountered moved you the day of the open battle, and shirt and flag red became on your breast, your heart stopped mute, unknown partisan. And in that terrible crash where you staggered and you died, oh sacred, sacred brother of ours, our blessed son your face we have known, unknown partisan. English translation © 2021 Dennis Criteser "Cantacronache 3" was the fourth 4-song Cantacronache EP on the Italia Canta label, released in 1959. It contained two songs sung by Pietro Buttarelli and two sung by Michele Straniero. |
I began exploring Italian popular songs as part of learning Italian. Here are my translations for some of my favorite "canzoni" by Italian singers, songwriters, and bands whose work I admire. It's a work in progress that can serve as a curated introduction to Italian popular music, with an emphasis on the 1950s through the 1990s. If you speak Italian, send me a message if you see lyrics I've misunderstood.

