The Italian national anthem was named after the young poet Goffredo Mameli, who penned the lyrics in 1847. Mameli was injured defending the Roman Republic against the French in 1849 and died a month later, at just 22.
A song of freedom and independence, it was not adopted as the national anthem until over a century later in 1948.
The music to the anthem, originally called Fratelli d'Italia, l'Italia s'e desta (Italian Brothers, Italy has risen), was composed by Michele Novaro.
Inno di Mameli
Fratelli d'Italia
L'Italia s'� desta
Dell'elmo di Scipio
S'� cinta la testa
Dov'� la vittoria
Le porga la chioma
Ch� schiava di Roma
Iddio la cre�
Stringia moci a coorte
Siam pronti alla morte
Siam pronti alla morte
L'Italia chiam�
Translation: Hymn of Mameli
Italian Brothers,
Italy has awakened,
She has wreathed her head
With the helmet of Scipio.
Where is Victory?
She bows her head to you,
You, whom God created
As the slave of Rome.
Let us band together,
We are ready to die,
We are ready to die,
Italy has called us.
MMIX
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