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So International members please vote the flavour of your Union Jack or Jolly Rodger or whatever other flag you may go by.
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I'll take a Red Flag and vote socialist.....*breaks into a rousing rendition of the Red Flag *
".........Ooooohhhhhhh....we'll keep the red flag flying here!!!!!!!!"
Mmmm. I remember singng that at the Socialist and anarchist shindig down at Skegness when I was 19, was very moving. Even more moving was singing the Internacionale. The disco had suddenly ground to a halt because of a power cut so some bright sparks stood up and lit their lighters or matches and began to sing the Internacionale. We all stood and joined in, not just the people who'd been on or near the dancefloor. Everyone, about 300 people if memory serves, raised their fist and saluted as they sang......Funny how this stuff sticks in your mind. It was simple and heartfelt and many of us were young enough not to have lost the dream yet.
Interestingly there is a great deal of variance in the translations of the Internationale ( which has been translated into 40 languages I believe) Here's the English version for anyone who might be interested.
The Internationale
British version
Arise ye workers from your slumbers
Arise ye prisoners of want
For reason in revolt now thunders
And at last ends the age of cant.
Away with all your superstitions
Servile masses arise, arise
We'll change henceforth the old tradition
And spurn the dust to win the prize.
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale
unites the human race!
No more deluded by reaction
On tyrants only we'll make war
The soldiers too will take strike action
They'll break ranks and fight no more
And if those cannibals keep trying
To sacrifice us to their pride
They soon shall hear the bullets flying
We'll shoot the generals on our own side.
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale
unites the human race!
No saviour from on high delivers
No faith have we in prince or peer
Our own right hand the chains must shiver
Chains of hatred, greed and fear
E'er the thieves will out with their booty
And give to all a happier lot.
Each at the forge must do their duty
And we'll strike while the iron is hot!
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale
unites the human race!
Stirring stuff in a dark hall in Skegness. ....Um sorry and all for this little diversion from the topic at hand....but since I've gone this far might as well also give you the American lyrics.
The Internationale
USA-version
Arise, you prisoners of starvation!
Arise, you wretched of the earth!
For justice thunders condemnation:
A better world's in birth!
No more tradition's chains shall bind us,
Arise, you slaves, no more in thrall!
The earth shall rise on new foundations:
We have been naught, we shall be all!
'Tis the final conflict;
Let each stand in their place!
The international working class
Shall be the human race.
We want no condescending saviors
To rule us from their judgment hall,
We workers ask not for their favors
Let us consult for all:
To make the thief disgorge his booty,
To free the spirit from its cell,
We must ourselves decide our duty,
We must decide and do it well.
'Tis the final conflict;
Let each stand in their place!
The international working class
Shall be the human race.
I was surprised to find just how completely different all the versions are. The translation from Russian seems to show each nation's main preoccupations within the class struggle.