The Internationale

Arise you workers [starvelings] from yours slumbers!
Arise you prisoners of want!
For reason in revolt now thunders,
And a better age shall dawn
Now away with all your superstitions,
Servile masses arise! arise!
We`ll change forthwith the old conditions
And spurn the dust to win the prize.

Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!
Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!

No saviours from on high deliver,
No trust we have in prince or peer;
Our own right hand the chains must shiver.
Chains of hatred, greed and fear.
'Ere the thieves will out with their booty
And to all give a happier lot,
Each at his forge must do his duty
And strike the iron while it's hot!

Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!
Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!

We're tricked by laws and regulations,
Our wicked masters strip us to the bone.
The rich enjoy the wealth of nations,
But the poor can't sell their own.
Long have we in vile bondage languished,
Yet we're equal one and all
No rights but duties for the vanquished
We claim our rights for duties done.

Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!
Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!

The kings of mines and ships and railways,
Resplendent in their vulgar pride,
Have plied their task to exploit always
Those whose labor they've 'ere decried.
Great the spoil they hold in their coffers,
To be spent on themselves alone;
Someday we'll seize it in spite of scoffers,
And know that we have got our own.

Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!
Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!

These kings defile us with their powder,
We want no war within the land;
Let soldiers strike for peace call louder,
Lay down arms and join hand in hand.
Should these vile monsters still determine.
Heroes to make us in despite,
They'll know full soon the kind of vemin
Our bullets hit in this lost fight.

Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!
Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!

We peasants, artisans and others
Enrollees among the sons of toil
Let's claim the earth henceforth for brothers,
Drive the indolent from the soil!
On our flesh too long has fed the raven,
We've too long been the vulture's prey.
But now fare well the spirit craven,
The dawn brings in a brighter day!

Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!
Then come comrades rally!
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale
unites the human race!


Eugéne POTTIER