1. The Russian heroes stand between us
And calamities they confront and repel

2. They repel while defending
As pressure mounts and intensifies

3. It intensifies, and in Poland, the hand
Of Germans reaches out and extends

4. It extends, and in tormenting it
Of no avail are effort and toil

5. The Italians drew their swords against it
Thirsty blades seeking blood

6. They cut the German cord, and in
Following the alliance they found

7. And war on Austria they declared
So it ignited, the wick intensified

8. And they crossed the Isonzo
With determination that knows no limit

9. With battalions whose banners
Wrote of victory or the grave

10. Like a flood they poured forth
Crashing, no dam can stop their tide

11. Seeking to conquer heights
Where even lions dread to tread

12. Moving through canyons
Beyond which no peaks rise higher

13. Before them, thought staggers blind
And eyes draw back in defeat

14. If an eagle flew to meet them
It would turn back, its quest failed

15. Therein the eavesdropper hears the angels
Around the throne singing praises loud

16. And the naked-eyed watcher of the cosmos
Finds observation beyond his grasp

17. The Italians girded themselves for the ascent
Their resolve intensified

18. Yet before their vanguards
They saw obstacles, the least being harsh

19. And the Austrian troops fortified
With defenses that know no match

20. Thus their assailant becomes target
For perils, the least being rebuffed

21. By cannons spewing lightning
With thunder in their midst

22. And torrents of shells, that if cast
Against a mountain, would shake and shred it

23. And banks of snow surround them
Like a necklace circling a bride

24. And biting winds of ice
A cold like lead balls intensified

25. If their assailant survives the flames
That the frost makes merciless

26. The Italians neither feared the dangers
Nor drew back in retreat

27. And when their heroes breached
The mountain bases and cast them down

28. And seized them, neither fortification
Nor soldiers could defend against their tide

29. And forevermore their valor
Will remain, guarded in glory's trove

30. And thereby the Italians' name
Will endure, its fragrance intensified