Italy
"Canzone del Piave" (Song of the Piave)

Words by: Giovanni Gaeta
Music by: Giovanni Gaeta
In use: 1946-1947

After the monarchy was replaced with a republic, the popular and patriotic song "Canzone del Piave" (Song of the Piave) was used for one year on a provisional basis as an anthem before the adoption of the current anthem. Written by Giovanni Gaeta (a.k.a. E.A. Mario), it was originally titled "La Leggenda del Piave" ("The Legend of the Piave"). It was composed in 1918 to celebrate the Italian resistance on the river Piave against the Austro-Hungarian Soldiers.

Currently this song is played by military and civic bands especially during the Military Parade held in Rome every June 2th (Anniversary of the Founding of the Italian Republic). It was also the anthem used by the Free Territory of Trieste from 1947-1954 on an unofficial basis because Trieste was mentioned in the lyrics of the anthem. (The Free Territory did not have an official anthem.)

Special thanks to: Pawel Ciupak for the MIDI.

See also: Italy (1861-1946), Italy (1922-1943), Italy.