Perhaps not quite poetry, but important in its own way and apt for the day that's in it:
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.
Within its shade we'll 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 are sung
Chicago swells the surging throng.
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.
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.
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.
With heads uncovered swear we all
To bear it onward till we fall;
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim,
This song shall be our parting hymn.
The Red Flag
Re: The Red Flag
Thanks red poppy. What an appropriate poem for this fifth anniversary of mission accomplished.
For those like me,unfamiliar with the poem/song , it is , according to Wikopedia, "The Red Flag" by James Connell, the song of the British Labour party,
I don't know if it is true or not, but they say that the song, is also known as Tannenbaum or o Christmas Tree.
Jill
For those like me,unfamiliar with the poem/song , it is , according to Wikopedia, "The Red Flag" by James Connell, the song of the British Labour party,
I don't know if it is true or not, but they say that the song, is also known as Tannenbaum or o Christmas Tree.
Jill
Re: The Red Flag
It shares a tune with that song!
Re: The Red Flag
It may share a tune, But I don't think you two are singing off the same hymn sheet.Red Poppy wrote:It shares a tune with that song!
Marcie
Re: The Red Flag
............nor do they necessarily congregate in the same church.............even if it is a broad one........