The Submarine Song (later known as the Submariners’ Anthem or the Submarines’ Anthem) is a song dedicated to Italian submariners, composed during the Fascist regime to music by Mario Ruccione, a prolific composer, also author of ‘Faccetta nera’ and numerous other classic fascist songs. The text is by the playwright and journalist Guglielmo Giannini – credited with the pseudonym Zorro – who in the post-war period would become known as the creator of a political movement.
| Sfiorano l’onde nere nella fitta oscurità, dalle torrette fiere ogni sguardo attento sta ! Taciti ed invisibili partono i sommergibili ! Cuori e motori d’assaltatori contro l’Immensità ! | Skimming the black waves in the dark night from the proud towers every lookout is on the alert silent and invisible leaves the submarines hearts and motors to take storm against immensity |
| Andar pel vasto mar ridendo in faccia a Monna Morte ed al Destino ! Colpir e seppellir ogni nemico che s’incontra sul cammino ! È così che vive il marinar nel profondo cuor del sonante mar ! Del nemico e dell’avversità se ne infischia perché sa che vincerà ! | Going into the vast sea laughing into Lady death’s face and to destiny strike bury every enemy to be found along the way this is the sailor’s life in the deep heart of the sounding ocean of the enemy and adversity he does not care because he knows he shall win |
| Giù sotto l’onda grigia di foschia nell’albeggiar una torretta bigia spia la preda al suo passar ! Scatta dal sommergibile rapido ed infallibile dritto e sicuro batte il siluro schianta e sconvolge il mar | Under the surf gray of down mist as gray turret spies on the enemy passing by jumps from the submarine fast and infallible straight and sure hits the torpedo crashing and upsetting the sea |
| Andar, ecc. | Going… |
| Ora sull’onda azzurra nella luce mattinal ! Ogni motor sussurra come un canto trionfal ! Ai porti inaccessibili tornano i sommergibili ogni bandiera che batte fiera una vittoria val ! | Now on the blue wave in the morning light every engine whispers with a victory hymn to the inaccessible ports return the submarines every flag which proudly flies a victory signifies |
| Andar, ecc. | Going… |