ryano:Thank you for the correction.
A Song written in 1889 by
Jim Connell and later (much later in fact) featured on
Billy Bragg's album
Internationale as the 6th track. An excellent piece of
music regardless of your social and/or political beliefs, this song is an anthem for all who fight for
equality. It should be noted that Connell had intended the song to be sung and played to the tune of
The White Cockade, (the tune Bragg uses on the version recorded for
Internationale) but it is unfortunately most often set to the tune of
O Tannenbaum. (Credit to
Oolong for messaging this to me).
The Red Flag
The
people's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our
martyred dead
And
ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their hearts' blood dyed to every fold
Chorus:
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
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
Chorus
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
Chorus
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
Chorus
With heads uncovered swear we all
To bare it onward till we fall
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim
This song shall be our
parting hymn
Chorus