Monte Nero, the Black Mountain, is an Italian World War I song about the bloody attempt to capture a mountain held by the Austrian army.
It is the dawn of June 15, 1915, when the elite mountain fighters known as the Alpini launch a surprise attack, but at the end of the day little is gained and much blood is spilled. An officer weeps over the dead men and the soldiers remember their fallen brothers
as they look forward to the honor of fighting again.
Monte Nero was composed by the soldiers of the Alpini regiments of Italy in World War I.
It is here sung by the Coro Della Sat.
Listen to Monte Nero
Lyrics:
Spunta l'alba del quindici giugno,
Comincia il fuoco l'artiglieria,
Terzo Alpini è sulla via,
Monte Nero a conquistar.
Terzo Alpini è sulla via,
Monte Nero a conquistar.
Monte Nero monte rosso,
Traditor della vita mia,
Ho lasciato la mamma mia,
Per venirti a conquistar.
Ho lasciato la mamma mia,
Per venirti a conquistar.
Per venirti a conquistare,
Ho perduto tanti compagni,
Tutti giovani sui vent'anni,
La lor vita non torna più.
Tutti giovani sui vent'anni,
La lor vita non torna più.
Colonnello che piangeva,
A veder tanto macello,
Fatti coraggio Alpino bello,
Che l'onore sarà per te.
Fatti coraggio Alpino bello,
Che l'onore sarà per te.
English translation:
As the dawn
breaks on June 15,
The artillery fire starts,
The 3rd Alpini is on its way,
To conquer the Black Mountain.
The 3rd Alpini is on its way,
To conquer the Black Mountain.
Black Mountain red mountain,
Traitor of my life,
I left my mother,
To come and conquer you.
I left my mother,
To come and conquer you.
To come and conquer you,
I lost so many friends,
All youths about 20 years old,
Their lives will never come back.
All youths about 20 years old,
Their lives will never come back.
The Colonel was weeping,
Seeing such slaughter,
Take heart, oh handsome Alpino,
Because honor will be given to you.
Take heart, oh handsome Alpino,
Because honor will be given to you.
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