The Internationale

     This is the version most commonly sung in South Africa.

     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 but naught we shall be all.

          Chorus

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

     The Internationale

     Arise ye workers 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 the old tradition
     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
     And give to all a happier lot.
     Each at the forge must do their duty
     And we'll strike while the iron is hot.

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