(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Now over to Italy, where the national anthem has undergone a small but meaningful change.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MUSICAL GROUP: (Singing in Italian).
MARTÍNEZ: Italy's government has removed one word from its rousing call to arms. It was written by a young patriot named Goffredo Mameli. This was back in 1847, when what we know today as Italy was a patchwork of separate states.
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
Mameli's hymn called on Italians to unify, proclaiming, we are ready to die. Italy has called. Over time, performers added a short declarative si - or yes - at the end.
(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "IL CANTO DEGLI ITALIANI")
CHIARA TAIGI: (Singing in Italian).
MARTIN: Now that added word - si - is gone from the official version.
LEOLUCA ORLANDO: The word si - yes - was just to strengthen.
MARTÍNEZ: Leoluca Orlando is a member of the European Parliament and the former mayor of Palermo, Italy. He says the hymn reflected a spirit of fiery nationalism.
ORLANDO: The text of the song was the mirror of the century. It was 1847. It means it was the century of the resurgence. It was the century of independence.
MARTIN: Orlando echoes the office of Italy's president, Sergio Mattarella. In a statement, it said removing the word si restores the original lyrics and was not done for political reasons. Orlando adds that Italy is in a much less fractious place now compared to when the anthem was written.
ORLANDO: The age two century ago is different than today. I hope not to live in a place where every country is in war against the others. I wish just to abolish the borders. I wish just to let the people live united and welcome everybody.
MARTÍNEZ: Orlando stopped short of saying Italy needs a new national anthem, and he says he still stands and places his hand over his heart when he hears it.
ORLANDO: It's not the best music we have in Italy. Of course, we have other musicians that are really, really, much more acclaimed. But it is a tradition.
MARTIN: A tradition, he says, that is likely to continue - maybe even for another century or two.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
UNIDENTIFIED MUSICAL ARTIST: (Singing in Italian). Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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