ICE OUT! A Resistance Anthem for the 21st Century

“Bella Ciao“ is best remembered as an anti-Nazi and anti-fascist Italian folk song dedicated to the partisans of the Italian resistance, who fought against the occupying troops of Nazi Germany and the collaborationist fascist forces during the liberation of Italy during WWII. The exact origins of the song are not known, but female workers of the Northern Italy paddy fields set lyrics to the tune in the late 19th century to protest their harsh working conditions. A hymn of resistance against Nazism, fascism, injustice, and oppression, versions of “Bella Ciao” have continued to be sung worldwide since WWII. This inspired me to create new lyrics to the tune, representing the 21st-century US context under Trumpism.It is my gift to you, as well as to Indivisible and The 50501 Movement leadership and chapters nationwide for No Kings Day, March 28, 2026. I invite you to learn it, sing it, share it, and bring it to the streets wherever you happen to be that day. I will be marching in Minneapolis. Please contact me if that’s where you’ll be, too. Let’s sing ICE OUT! together…ICE OUT!A Resistance Anthem for the 21st Century USATempo: 88 BPMKey: A minorTime Signature: 4/4VERSE IAmWe feel their presenceWe see them stalkingOh Bella Ciao, Bella Ciao, Am7Bella Ciao, Ciao, CiaoCHORUS I DmThey will not stop us AmFrom our protesting E7 AmWe raise our voice as one in song.VERSE IIThey want our silence,For us to fear them,To look away, go away,Bella Ciao, Ciao, Ciao.CHORUS IIThey hide their faces.They leave dark traces.But we won’t let them steal our power.VERSE IIIFor we the people,We keep it peacefulReject their tyrannyThen as Now, Now, Now.CHORUS IIIWe’ll have no kings here.We hold our rights dearTo live in liberty and freedomVERSE IVThey will not stop usFrom our protesting.We raise our voices as one in song: ICE OUT!CHORUS IVThey want our silence,For us to fear them.But we’re all Minnesota now — ICE OUT!REPRISE IWe’ll have no kings here.We hold our rights dear.And we won’t let them steal our powerREPRISE IIThey want our silence.For us to fear them.But we’re all Minnesota now!Lyrics by Sarah Towle © 2026Recording produced by Ben Meyers with vocals by Sarah Towle.Tales of Humanity is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Tales of Humanity at sarahtowle.substack.com/subscribe