In the series, the song acts as a symbol of the robbers' rebellion against a "rigged system".
: Originally sung by "mondine" (rice-paddy weeders) in Northern Italy's Po Valley. These women sang it to protest backbreaking labor, low pay, and harsh supervisors. In the series, the song acts as a
: According to the show's lore, The Professor's grandfather—a partisan in Italy—taught him the song, framing the heist not as a simple crime, but as an act of resistance. : According to the show's lore, The Professor's
The song has two distinct historical versions that precede any modern recording: : According to the show's lore
: Different arrangements are used throughout the show to match the tone, from the high-energy celebration when finding the tunnel to the mournful version following major character deaths.
In the context of the series, many viewers refer to Diego Moreno as the "Original Artist" because his 1999 recording with the became a cornerstone of the show's musical identity.