The Internationale in English

[Sentinel]

I'm looking for different versions of the Internationale sung in english, not Billy Bragg's version but with the original lyrics:


The Internationale [variant words in square brackets]

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.

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.

The only one I've found so far is this:

zOkSoQapeEM

It's good, but there should be more versions available online?

[REVLEFT'S BIEGGST MATSER TROL]

I'm looking for different versions of the Internationale sung in english, not Billy Bragg's version but with the original lyrics:



The only one I've found so far is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOkSoQapeEM

It's good, but there should be more versions available online?


I entirely agree, i've been raging for ages that the only proper version on youtube is one by billy fucking brag

[MarxSchmarx]

There is the Alistair Hulett (sp?) version that I never really cared for.
Actually there are at least two "original" English versions. The one you posted sentinel is the British/Irish version, there is also a North American and I believe and Australian version.
Google Mark Blitzstein internationale and you can hear one of the North American versions (with reference to an "international soviet"). IIRC there is also an English version bill murray's character sings in "Cradle will Rock"

[graymouser]

The version you posted is the British version; the American lyrics (originally from the Little Red Songbook) are:


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 nought, we shall be all!

'Tis the final conflict,
Let each stand in his place.
The international soviet
Shall be the human race (x2)

We want no condescending saviors
To rule us from their judgment hall,
We workers ask not for their favors
Let us consult for all:
To make the thief disgorge his booty
To free the spirit from its cell,
We must ourselves decide our duty,
We must decide, and do it well.
The actual words in the chorus vary wildly; there's "International Soviet," "International Working Class," the Little Red Songbook used "Industrial Union." When I was at a Socialist Action conference, they sang "International Party," which is how it's sung in the American SWP tradition.

The American version has a few other verses as well, although these aren't usually sung:

The law oppresses us and tricks us,
The wage slave system drains our blood;
The rich are free from obligation,
The laws the poor delude.
Too long we've languished in subjection,
Equality has other laws;
"No rights", says she "without their duties,
No claims on equals without cause."

Behold them seated in their glory
The kings of mine and rail and soil!
What have you read in all their story,
But how they plundered toil?
Fruits of the workers' toil are buried
In strongholds of the idle few
In working for their restitution
The men will only claim their due.

We toilers from all fields united
Join hand in hand with all who work;
The earth belongs to us, the workers,
No room here for the shirk.
How many on our flesh have fattened!
But if the norsome birds of prey
Shall vanish from the sky some morning
The blessed sunlight then will stay.
More lyrics:
http://www.marxists.org/history/ussr/sounds/lyrics/international.htm

[red cat]

PtAfIjRKUak

UrMwNuS7aUQ

[red cat]

Full English lyrics :

Arise! ye starvelings, from your slumbers;
Arise! ye prisoners of want.
For reason in revolt now thunders
And ends at last 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.

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


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 his forge must do his duty
And strike the iron while it’s hot!

The law oppresses us and tricks us,
The wage slave system drains our blood;
The rich are free from obligation,
The laws the poor delude.
Too long we’ve languished in subjection,
Equality has other laws;
“No rights,” says she “without their duties,
No claims on equals without cause.”

Behold them seated in their glory
The kings of mine and rail and soil!
What have you read in all their story,
But how they plundered toil?
Fruits of the workers’ toil are buried
In strongholds of the idle few
In working for their restitution
The men will only claim their due.

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.

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.

[Sentinel]

Thanks to all for the great contributions. In english, there's also this:

the South African version

(The English version most commonly sung in South Africa. )
The Internationale

Arise ye prisoners of starvation
Arise ye toilers of the earth
For reason thunders new creation
`Tis a better world in birth.

Never more traditions' chains shall bind us
Arise ye toilers no more in thrall
The earth shall rise on new foundations
We are naught but we shall be all.

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

I'm primarily looking for videos of the british version though.

[Tavarisch_Mike]

You mean like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DTbashsKic&feature=related

[Sentinel]

You mean like this?

Yes. Good video.

[Scarlet Fever]

I think my favorite version is the jazz version by Tony Babino. I'd post the link if I had 25 posts, but you can just youtube "Tony Babino L'Internationale." It's great!

[MellowViper]

Yah, I thought Bill Braggs version took a lot of the fiery, revolutionary spirit out of the song. I like the original, British version better and think its the best English translation by far.

[Sir Comradical]

The non-English ones in the other European languages just sound much better for some reason.

[Comrade Awesome]

Here it is as punk.
qlWeM4FDSAg

[Black_Flag]

http://www.hymn.ru/internationale/index-en.html

this site has lots of different versions and languages, there's even a French reggae version on there