The Internationale
Written by Eugène Pottier (1816-87), French  poet, communard.   Set to a marching tune by Pierre Deygeter, these words have been translated and sung by socialists and communists throughout the world.  Click here to hear the music!

The Internationale

Arise! ye starvelings from your slumbers;
Arise! ye criminals of want.
For Reason in revolt now thunders,
And at last end the age of cant.
Now away with all superstitions,
Servile masses arise! Arise!
We'll change forthwith the old conditions,
And spurn the dust to win the prize.

Chorus:

Then comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face.
The International Unites the human race.
Then comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face.
The Internationale Unites the human race.

We peasants, artisans and others;
Enrolled 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, farewell the spirit craven,
The dawn brings in a brighter day.

Chorus

No saviour from on high delivers;
No trust have we in prince or peer.
Our own right hand the chains must shiver;
Chains of hatred, of 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.

Chorus

Alternate lyrics:

Arise ye workers from your slumbers
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.

Chorus:
So comrades, come rally
And the last fight let us face
The Internationale
Unites the human race.

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.

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 give to all a happier lot.
Each at the forge must do their duty
And we'll strike while the iron is hot.

Other Alternate Lyrics:

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

Chorus:
Tis the final conflict;
Let each stand in his place.
The international working class
Shall be the human race.

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