trotskies:

class-struggle-anarchism:

post-teenager:

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.

I’m sorry but the Billy Bragg version of the internationale is dire

“don’t cling so hard to your possessions”? – Gee thanks Deepak Chopra… um, this is a song aimed at “prisoners of starvation”

“For you have nothing if you have no rights” – liberal arsewash

“for respect makes the empires fall” – no it doesn’t, more liberal nonsense

There was nothing wrong with the old school translation:

Arise, ye starvelings, from your slumbers
Arise, ye criminals 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 forthwith the old conditions
And spurn the dust to win the prize

my favourite is the kick ass final verse though:

No saviour from on high delivers
No trust 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 to all give a happier lot
Each at the forge must do their duty
And strike the iron while it’s hot!

no idea why Billy Bragg reckoned he could improve on this 

this is all true but you’re missed what is obviously the best verse

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!

I’ve never liked that “possessions” line in the Billy Bragg version.  I’m a commie because I like stuff.