The Internationale

This is the introduction to a topic of major interest to me. I happened to watch a PBS special (they have the most educational show, I mean it) on the tele tonight. this show was about the song 'The Interntionale.' Unfortunately I tuned in too late to get much information on the history/origin of this song but early enough to catch some pretty interesting information. This song seems to be the anthem of the oppressed and revolutionaries and was sung from way back when in the days of early wars, socialism and communisim to the students in China's Tiananmen Square.

Original English (translated) Lyrics

Arise, ye workers from your slumber,
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.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.

2nd Verse
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.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.

3rd Verse
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 to all give a happier lot.
Each at his forge must do their duty,
And we'll strike the iron while it's hot.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.
So comrades, come rally,
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale,
Unites the human race.

Here's a little history on this courtesy of Wikipedia.
The Interntionale (L'Internationale in French) was written in 1870 by Eugene Pottier (1816-1887) who was a French revolutionary socialist, poet and transport worker. Being a revolutionary it's no wonder that this song has all the makings of an-oppression and has become the anthem of socialist movements from since the days of it's writings.

The lyrics and the song have since transcended the mere socialist conditions that it was written about and can now be applied to every individual life and the oppression that it endures. From personal problems to more serious ills, this song has a place in all our hearts. My new favourite, an anthem I sing and a new source of revolutionary strength and meaning.

Below are links to the English, French and Spanish versions of this song. Please check it out and listen. Read the lyrics and see how it applies to you.

English Version
French Version
Spanish Version

If you have any memories or stories surrounding this song, please email them to me or place it in the comments as I will be composing for a later rant your stories. So please share them.