[Home Page [Programme [Songs [Performances [Links]

Sea Green Singers - Internationale - Eugene Pottier original words with the Billy Bragg score - score and lyrics - To see an enlarged image of the separate pages click on the image - download the scores onto your computer for printing by right clicking and 'save image as' or similar;
here is Billy Braggs modern version

  Internationale - Billy Bragg version
1. Stand up, all victims of oppression, For the tyrants fear your might.
Don't cling so hard to your possessions, For you have nothing, if you have no rights.
Let racist ignorance be ended, For respect makes the empire's fall.
Freedom is merely privilege extended, Unless enjoyed by one and all.

Chorus:
So come brothers and sisters for the struggle carries on.
The Internationale unites the world in song.
So, comrades, come rally for this is the time and place.
The international ideal unites the human race.

2. Let no-one build walls to divide us, Walls of hatred nor walls of stone.
Oh, greet the dawn and come and join us. We'll live together or we'll die alone.
In our world, poisoned by exploitation, Those who have taken, now they must give.
And end the vanity of nations. We've but one earth on which to live.
Chorus
3. And so begins the final drama, In the streets and in the fields.
We'll resist united 'gainst their armour. We'll defy their guns and shields.
When we fight, provoked by their aggression, Let us be inspired by life and love.
For, though they offer us concessions, Change will not come from above.
Chorus

Verse 2 requested by Levellers Day Committee for Levellers Day, May 16th 2015 to replace verse 2 above.

2. 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.

Internationale - Traditional version

(for a score with the words below set to the Billy Bragg arrangement above click here)

Arise ye workers [starvelings] 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 [forthwith] the old tradition [conditions]
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.
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 [give up their booty]
And give to all a happier lot.
Each [those] at the forge must do their duty
And we'll strike while the iron is hot.