Evidence 42: "Internationale"

Introduction

"Internationale," the song of the First and Second International, was written by a transport worker after the Paris Commune was crushed by the French government. The song was later used as the first Soviet National Anthem and Anthem of the (Third) Communist International, until the latter disolved it in 1944.

Document

"Internationale"

Verse 1:
Arise ye pris'ners of starvation
Arise ye wretched of the earth
For justice thunders condemnation
A better world's in birth!
No more tradition's chains shall bind us
Arise, ye slaves, no more in thrall;
The earth shall rise on new foundations
We have been naught we shall be all.

Refrain:
'Tis the final conflict
Let each stand in his place
The International Union
shall be the human race.
'Tis the final conflict
Let each stand in his place
The International Union
shall be the human race.

Verse 2:
We want no condescending saviors
to rule us from their judgement 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.

Verse 3:
We toilers from all fields united
Join hand in hand with all who work;
The earth belongs to us, the workers,
No room here for the shirk.
How many on our flesh have fattened!
But if the norsome birds of prey
Shall vanish from the sky some morning
The blessed sunlight then will stay.

Source:
Adaptation of Charles H. Kerr's English translation for The Industrial Workers of the World ("Wobblies") Songbook, 34th ed. Mp3 and Russian lyrics from http://english.sovmusic.ru.

Next >>>

<<< Return to Evidence

Module 03: 1917 — Did the War Cause a Revolution?

Evidence 42: "Internationale"

Introduction

Document