Goffredo Mameli, a fervent follower of political revolutionary Giuseppe Mazzini and a supporter of the Risorgimento movement, is the author of the words to the Italian national anthem, “Fratelli d’Italia.” He died on 6th July 1849 in Rome.
Born in Genoa in 1827, Mameli was the son of a Sardinian admiral who commanded the fleet of the Kingdom of Sardinia. As he grew up, Mameli became increasingly interested in Mazzini’s theories and joined the political movement advocating for a united Italy.
At just 20 years old, Mameli wrote the lyrics Italians still sing today as their national anthem. The anthem, known as “L’inno di Mameli” or “Mameli’s Hymn,” was first set to music and performed in November 1847 to celebrate King Charles Albert of Sardinia’s visit to Genoa.
Mameli was deeply involved in the movement to expel the Austrians from Italy and joined Garibaldi’s army. He also became the director of a newspaper that launched a press campaign urging the people to rise up against Austrian rule.
Tragically, Mameli died young after being accidentally injured in the leg by a bayonet during a battle. The wound became infected, necessitating the amputation of his leg. He succumbed to the infection just two months before his 22nd birthday.
Mameli’s hymn becomes the national anthem
“Mameli’s Hymn,” or “Fratelli d’Italia,” is played on Italian state occasions and passionately embraced by Italian sports fans and competitors at events worldwide. The anthem’s stirring words and melody resonate deeply with the Italian spirit.
Following Italian unification, the official hymn of the House of Savoy, “Marcia Reale” (Royal March), was adopted as the national anthem. However, after Italy became a republic in 1946, “L’inno di Mameli” was chosen as the new national anthem, a status made official by a law passed in November 2012.
You can view Mameli’s original manuscript of the anthem’s words at the Istituto Mazziniano, part of the Museum of the Risorgimento located within Mazzini’s birthplace on Via Lomellini in Genoa.
The manuscript appears in a book belonging to Mameli, filled with his notes, thoughts, and writings. The museum also holds a copy of the first printed version of the hymn with hand annotations by Mameli himself.
National Anthem Lyrics
Italian
I
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.
(repeat first stanza)
Coro:
𝄆 Stringiamci a coorte,
siam pronti alla morte.
Siam pronti alla morte,
l’Italia chiamò. 𝄇
Sì!
II
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.
(repeat first stanza)
Coro
III
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?
(repeat first stanza)
Coro
IV
Dall’Alpi a Sicilia
dovunque è Legnano,
ha il core, ha la mano,
i bimbi d’Italia
si chiaman Balilla,
il suon d’ogni squilla
i Vespri suonò.
(repeat first stanza)
Coro
V
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.
(repeat first stanza)
Coro
VI
Evviva l’Italia,
dal sonno 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.
(repeat first stanza)
Coro
Translation into English
I
Brothers of Italy,
Italy has risen,
bound Scipio’s helmet
Upon her head.
Where is Victory?
Let her bow down,
Because as a slave of Rome
God did create her.
(repeat first stanza)
Chorus:
𝄆 Let us join in a cohort,
we are ready for death.
We are ready for death,
Italy has called! 𝄇
Yes!
II
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.
(repeat first stanza)
Chorus
III
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?
(repeat first stanza)
Chorus
IV
From the Alps to Sicily,
Legnano is everywhere;
Every man hath the heart
and hand of Ferruccio
The children of Italy
Are all called Balilla;
Every trumpet blast
soundeth the Vespers.
(repeat first stanza)
Chorus
V
The mercenary swords
Are feeble reeds.
Already the Eagle of Austria
Hath lost its plumes.
The blood of Italy,
The blood of Poland
It with Cossacks did drink,
But will burn its heart.
(repeat first stanza)
Chorus
VI
Long live Italy,
She has awoken from slumber,
bound Scipio’s helmet
Upon her head.
Where is Victory?
Let her bow down,
Because as a slave of Rome
God did create her.
(repeat first stanza)
Chorus