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Billy Bragg |
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The Internationale |
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The Red Flag |
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The people's flag is deepest red |
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It shrouded oft our martyred dead |
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And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold |
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Their hearts' blood dyed to every fold |
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Chorus: |
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Then raise the scarlet standard high |
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Beneath its folds we'll live and die |
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Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer |
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We'll keep the red flag flying here |
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It waved above our infant might |
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When all ahead seemed dark as night |
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It witnessed many a deed and vow |
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We must not change its colour now |
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Chorus |
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It well recalls the triumphs past |
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It gives the hope of peace at last |
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The banner bright, the symbol plain |
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Of human right and human gain |
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Chorus |
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It suits today the meek and base |
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Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place |
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To cringe beneath the rich man's frown |
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And haul that sacred emblem down |
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Chorus |
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With heads uncovered swear we all |
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To bare it onward till we fall |
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Come dungeons dark or gallows grim |
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This song shall be our parting hymn |
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Chorus |
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Words: jim connell music: "the white cockade" |