The Internationale
By Pierre Degeyter Eugene Pottier
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
We'll 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
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
(chorus)
No saviour from on high delivers
No faith have we in prince or peer
Our own right hands 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
(chorus)
Lyrics