The Red Flag
Encyclopedia
The Red Flag is a protest song
associated with left-wing politics
, in particular with socialism
. It is the semi-official anthem of the British Labour Party, sung at the end of conference
. It is the official anthem of the Irish Labour Party
and sung at the close of national conference.
in 1889. There are six stanzas, each followed by the chorus. It is normally sung to the tune of "Lauriger Horatius", better known as the German carol
"O Tannenbaum
", though Connell had wanted it sung to the tune of a pro-Jacobite
Robert Burns
anthem, "The White Cockade". The lyrics of the first verse and the chorus, which are the most well-known parts of the song, are as follows:
"The Red Flag" resonated with the early radical workers’ movement in the United States, and it appeared as the first song in the first edition of the Little Red Songbook
of the Industrial Workers of the World
in 1909. Only five of the six stanzas were printed, omitting the fourth stanza that begins, "It well recalls the triumphs past."
"The Red Flag" has been the British Labour Party's official anthem from its founding; its annual party conference closes with the song. "The Red Flag" was first sung in the House of Commons on Aug. 1, 1945, when Parliament convened after Labour’s defeat of Winston Churchill’s Conservatives. It was sung again in Parliament in February 2006 to mark the centenary of the Labour Party’s founding. During the Tony Blair
years the leadership sought to downplay its role.
There are a number of satirical versions of the song, such as "The People's Flag Is Palest Pink
". A version of the song with similar lyrics entitled "We'll Never Die" is the official anthem of Manchester United F.C.
. The melody is used in Harold Baum's "The Michaelis Anthem" in The Biochemists' Songbook.
Protest song
A protest song is a song which is associated with a movement for social change and hence part of the broader category of topical songs . It may be folk, classical, or commercial in genre...
associated with left-wing politics
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
, in particular with socialism
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
. It is the semi-official anthem of the British Labour Party, sung at the end of conference
Labour Party (UK) Conference
The Labour Party Conference, or annual national conference of the Labour Party, is formally the supreme decision-making body of the Party.-Conference decisions:...
. It is the official anthem of the Irish Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
and sung at the close of national conference.
History
The lyrics of the song were written by Irishman Jim ConnellJim Connell
Jim Connell was an Irish political activist of the late 19th century and early 20th century, best known as the writer of the anthem "The Red Flag" in December 1889.-Life:...
in 1889. There are six stanzas, each followed by the chorus. It is normally sung to the tune of "Lauriger Horatius", better known as the German carol
Carol (music)
A carol is a festive song, generally religious but not necessarily connected with church worship, and often with a dance-like or popular character....
"O Tannenbaum
O Tannenbaum
"O Tannenbaum", or, in its English version, "O Christmas Tree", is a Christmas carol of German origin.A Tannenbaum is a fir tree or Christmas tree...
", though Connell had wanted it sung to the tune of a pro-Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
anthem, "The White Cockade". The lyrics of the first verse and the chorus, which are the most well-known parts of the song, are as follows:
- The people's flag is deepest red,
- It shrouded oft our martyr'd dead
- And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold,
- Their hearts' blood dyed its ev'ry fold.
- Then raise the scarlet standard high,
- Within its shade we'll live and die,
- Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
- We'll keep the red flag flying here.
"The Red Flag" resonated with the early radical workers’ movement in the United States, and it appeared as the first song in the first edition of the Little Red Songbook
Little Red Songbook
thumb|180px|right|The Little Red SongbookSince the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World, also known as the IWW, songs have played a big part in spreading the message of the One Big Union...
of the Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
in 1909. Only five of the six stanzas were printed, omitting the fourth stanza that begins, "It well recalls the triumphs past."
"The Red Flag" has been the British Labour Party's official anthem from its founding; its annual party conference closes with the song. "The Red Flag" was first sung in the House of Commons on Aug. 1, 1945, when Parliament convened after Labour’s defeat of Winston Churchill’s Conservatives. It was sung again in Parliament in February 2006 to mark the centenary of the Labour Party’s founding. During the Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
years the leadership sought to downplay its role.
There are a number of satirical versions of the song, such as "The People's Flag Is Palest Pink
The People's Flag is Palest Pink
"The People's Flag Is Palest Pink", also known as "The Red Flag Once a Year" or the "Battle Hymn of the New Socialist Party", is a parody of the song "The Red Flag"....
". A version of the song with similar lyrics entitled "We'll Never Die" is the official anthem of Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. The melody is used in Harold Baum's "The Michaelis Anthem" in The Biochemists' Songbook.
Complete Lyrics
- The people's flag is deepest red,
- It shrouded oft our martyred dead,
- And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold,
- Their hearts' blood dyed its every fold.
-
- Then raise the scarlet standard high. (chorus)
- Within its shade we live and die,
- Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
- We'll keep the red flag flying here.
- Look round, the Frenchman loves its blaze,
- The sturdy German chants its praise,
- In Moscow's vaults its hymns were sung
- Chicago swells the surging throng.
-
- (chorus)
- It waved above our infant might,
- When all ahead seemed dark as night;
- It witnessed many a deed and vow,
- We must not change its colour now.
-
- (chorus)
- It well recalls the triumphs past,
- It gives the hope of peace at last;
- The banner bright, the symbol plain,
- Of human right and human gain.
-
- (chorus)
- It suits today the weak and base,
- Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place
- To cringe before the rich man's frown,
- And haul the sacred emblem down.
-
- (chorus)
- With head uncovered swear we all
- To bear it onward till we fall;
- Come dungeons dark or gallows grim,
- This song shall be our parting hymn.
External links
- The Red Flag - full text of lyrics online at fordham.edu
- The Red Flag, the song, the man, the monument
- English version from the Marxists Internet ArchiveMarxists Internet ArchiveMarxists Internet Archive is a volunteer based non-profit organization that maintains a multi-lingual Internet archive of Marxist writers and other similar authors...
.