The Red Flag: written by Jim Connell, 1889 The peoples flag is deepest red, It shrouded oft our martyred dead, And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold, Their hearts blood dyed its every fold. Then raise the scarlet standard high. (chorus) Within its shade well live and die, Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, Well keep the red flag flying here. Look round, the Frenchman loves its blaze, The sturdy German chants its praise, In Moscows vaults its hymns are sung Chicago swells the surging throng. It waved above our infant might, When all ahead seemed dark as night; It witnessed many a deed and vow, We must not change its colour now. It well recalls the triumphs past, It gives the hope of peace at last; The banner bright, the symbol plain, Of human right and human gain. It suits today the weak and base, Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place To cringe before the rich mans frown, And haul the sacred emblem down. With heads uncovered swear we all To bear it onward till we fall; Come dungeons dark or gallows grim, This song shall be our parting hymn. In 1920 in How I Wrote The Red Flag he commented: Did I think that the song would live? Yes, the last line shows I did: This song shall be our parting hymn. I hesitated a considerable time over this last line. I asked myself whether I was not assuming too much. I reflected, however, that in writing the song I gave expression to not only my own best thoughts and feelings, but the best thoughts and feelings of every genuine socialist I knew... I decided that the last line should stand. (sung to theme of German christmas carol O Tannenbaum) https://youtube/watch?v=60C-RjGkuOo
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:37:09 +0000
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