[lbo-talk] The Red Flag

[Gar Lipow]

> The Red Flag
> (James O'Connell, 1899)
>
> The worker's flag is deepest red
> It shrouded oft our martyred dead;
> And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
> Their life-blood dyed its every fold.
>
> cho: Then raise the scarlet standard high!
>      Beneath its folds we'll live and die.
>      Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
>      We'll keep the red flag flying here.
>
> Look 'round, the Frenchman loves its blaze,
> The sturdy German chants its praise,
> In Moscow's 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 will not change its color now.
>
> It suits today the meek and base,
> Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place,
> To cringe beneath the rich man's frown,
> And haul that 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.
>

    The people's flag is palest pink

    It's not the colour you might think

    White collar workers stand and cheer

    The Labour government is here

    We'll change the country bit by bit

    So nobody will notice it

    And just to show that we're sincere

    We'll sing The Red Flag once a year

    The cloth cap and the wollen scarf

    Are images outdated

    For we're the party's avant garde

    And we are educated

    So raise the rolled umbrella high

    The college scarf, the old school tie

    And just to show that we're sincere

    We'll sing The Red Flag once a year