The Internationale Lyrics - Billy Bragg

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 empires 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 

Let no one build walls to divide us 

Walls of hatred nor walls of stone 

Come greet the dawn and stand beside 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 

And so begins the final drama 

In the streets and in the fields 

We stand unbowed before their armor 

We defy their guns and shields 

When we fight provoked by their aggression 

Let us be inspired by like and love 

For though they offer us concessions 

Change will not come from above