The people's flag is deepest red,
It shrouded oft our martyr'd dead,
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold,
Their hearts blood dyed in every fold.Then raise the scarlet standard high-
Within its shade we'll live and die!
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the Red Flag Flying here!!
Look-round!-the Frenchman loves its blaze,
The sturdy German chants its praise;
In Moscow's vaults its hymns were sung,
Chicago swells the surging song.
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!!
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.
It suits today the weak and base,
Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place,
To cringe before the rich man's frown,
And haul the sacred emblem down.
With head uncovered swear we all
To bear it onward till we fall;
Come dungeon dark or gallows grim,
This song shall be our parting hymn.
THE RED FLAG
By Jim Connell
Connell told Tom Mann that in writing it he had been "Inspired by the Paris Commune, the heroism of the Russian Nihilists, the Firmness of the Irish Land League, the devotion to deatyh of the Chicago Anarchists"
Stand together,
Citizen Gerard
P.S. Some say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, someday I hope you'll join us and the world will be as one.
None.
