The Internationale

Categories: National anthems

The Internationale (L'Internationale in French) is the most famous socialist (and anarchist) song and one of the most widely recognized songs in the world. The original (French) words were written in 1870 by Eugène Pottier (1816–1887, later a member of the Paris Commune). Pierre Degeyter (1848–1932) set the poem to music in 1888. (It was originally intended to be sung to the tune of La Marseillaise.)

The Internationale became the anthem of international revolutionary socialism. Its refrain: C'est la lutte finale/Groupons-nous et demain/L'Internationale/Sera le genre humain. (Freely translated, this means: "This is the final struggle/Let us join together and tomorrow/The International/Will embrace all the human race.") The Internationale has been translated into scores of languages. Traditionally it is sung with the right hand raised in a clenched-fist salute.

In many European countries, the song was illegal around the beginning of the 20th century because of its communist image and government-undermining lyrics.

The Russian version served as the national anthem of the Soviet Union from 1917 to 1944, when it was replaced by the Hymn of the Soviet Union and became the party anthem of the CPSU. It was initially translated by Aron Kots (Arkadiy Yakovlevich Kots) in 1902 and printed in London in the Russian émigré magazine Zhizn (Life). The first Russian version consisted of three stanzas (as opposed to six stanzas in the original French lyrics) and the refrain. Later it was expanded and reworded.

The Internationale is sung not only by communists but also (in many countries) by socialists or social democrats. It was also a rallying song of the students and workers at the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

Sources (in Chinese, English, machine translated) quoting a Hong Kong magazine suggest that on June 6, 2003, a memorandum issued by Zeng Qinghong, in his capacity as the head of the Chinese Communist Party Secretariat, ordered "no playing or singing of The Internationale in any provincial, city or county level Party or Party member meetings." This claim remains unverified and unreported in the mainstream English language media.

In George Orwell's Animal Farm, it is parodied by Beasts of England.

The music of the Internationale is copyrighted in France until 2014, though this copyright is widely ignored by organizers of left-wing meetings and other occasions where it is sung. While the duration of copyright in France is 70 years following the death of the author, it was extended to compensate for the First World War and the Second World War. In 2005, a movie producer was asked to pay €1000 for the use of the song by the corporation administering the authors' rights. (See Report)

1 Original French lyrics
2 Lyrics used as national anthem in the early days of the Soviet Union
3 English Translation
4 See also
5 External links

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Original French lyrics

French lyrics	Literal English translation
First stanza
Debout, les damnés de la terre Debout, les forçats de la faim La raison tonne en son cratère C'est l'éruption de la fin Du passé faisons table rase Foules, esclaves, debout, debout Le monde va changer de base Nous ne sommes rien, soyons tout \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	Arise, the damned of the earth, Arise, prisoners of hunger, For reason thunders in its crater, It is the last eruption! Let us discard the past, Army of slaves, arise, arise! The world is changing at the base, We who have been nothing, let's be everything! \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Second stanza
Il n'est pas de sauveurs suprêmes Ni Dieu, ni César, ni tribun Producteurs, sauvons-nous nous-mêmes Décrétons le salut commun Pour que le voleur rende gorge Pour tirer l'esprit du cachot Soufflons nous-mêmes notre forge Battons le fer quand il est chaud \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	There are no supreme saviours, Neither God, nor Caesar, nor tribune. Producers, let's save ourselves! Together let's enact a common decree To force the thief to return his loot, So that the mind is set free from the prison cell! Let us blow upon our furnace ourselves, Strike the iron while it is hot! \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Third stanza
L'état comprime et la loi triche L'impôt saigne le malheureux Nul devoir ne s'impose au riche Le droit du pauvre est un mot creux C'est assez, languir en tutelle L'égalité veut d'autres lois Pas de droits sans devoirs dit-elle Egaux, pas de devoirs sans droits \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	The state strangles and the law cheats, The taxes bleed the disadvantaged in society. The rich do not shoulder any responsibility; The rights of the poor is an empty word. It is enough to decay in servitude, Equality needs other laws! No rights without duty, she says, Conversely, no duty without rights. \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Fourth stanza
Hideux dans leur apothéose Les rois de la mine et du rail Ont-ils jamais fait autre chose Que dévaliser le travail Dans les coffres-forts de la bande Ce qu'il a créé s'est fondu En décrétant qu'on le lui rende Le peuple ne veut que son dû. \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	Hideous, in their glory, The kings of the mines and rail. They have done nothing else, But to steal others' work. In the strongboxes of this band, What we created are all in there! In working for their restitution, They only want their rightful due. \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Fifth stanza
Les rois nous saoulaient de fumées Paix entre nous, guerre aux tyrans Appliquons la grève aux armées Crosse en l'air, et rompons les rangs S'ils s'obstinent, ces cannibales A faire de nous des héros Ils sauront bientôt que nos balles Sont pour nos propres généraux \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	The kings deceive us with their fumes, Peace among ourselves, war to the tyrants! Let us encourage strikes in the armies, To wave their guns and disband their ranks! If they insist, those cannibals, To make heroes of us, They will soon know our bullets, Are for our own generals. \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Sixth stanza
Ouvriers, paysans, nous sommes Le grand parti des travailleurs La terre n'appartient qu'aux hommes L'oisif ira loger ailleurs Combien, de nos chairs se repaissent Mais si les corbeaux, les vautours Un de ces matins disparaissent Le soleil brillera toujours. \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	Labourers, peasants, we are The big party of workers The earth belongs only to humans The idle are going to live elsewhere How much they feast on our flesh But if the ravens and vultures Would one morning all disappear The sun would shine forever \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|

[edit]

Lyrics used as national anthem in the early days of the Soviet Union

Russian Translation	Latin Transliteration
First stanza
Вставай, проклятьем заклеймённый Весь мир голодных и рабов Кипит наш разум возмущённый И в смертный бой вести готов. Весь мир насилья мы разрушим До основанья, а затем Мы наш мы новый мир построим, Кто был никем, тот станет всем! \|: Это есть наш последний И решительный бой. С Интернационалом Воспрянет род людской :\|	Vstavaj, prokljat'em zaklejmënnyj Ves' mir golodnyh i rabov Kipit naš razum vozmuščënnyj I v smertnyj boj vesti gotov. Ves' mir nasil'ja my razrušim Do osnovan'ja, a zatem My naš my novyj mir postroim, Kto byl nikem, tot stanet vsem! \|: Èto est' naš poslednij I rešitel'nyj boj. S Internacionalom Vosprjanet rod ljudskoj :\|
Second stanza
Никто не даст нам избавленья Ни бог, ни царь и не герой Добьемся мы освобожденья Своею собственной рукой. Чтоб свергнуть гнёт рукой умелой, Отвоевать свое добро - Вздувайте горн и куйте смело, Пока железо горячо! \|: Это есть наш последний И решительный бой. С Интернационалом Воспрянет род людской :\|	Nikto ne dast nam izbavlen'ja Ni bog, ni car' i ne geroj Dob'emsja my osvobožden'ja Svoeju sobstvennoj rukoj. Čtob svergnut' gnët rukoj umeloj, Otvoevat' svoe dobro - Vzduvajte gorn i kujte smelo, Poka železo gorjačo! \|: Èto est' naš poslednij I rešitel'nyj boj. S Internacionalom Vosprjanet rod ljudskoj :\|
Third stanza
Довольно кровь сосать, вампиры, Тюрьмой, налогом, нищетой! У вас - вся власть, все блага мира, А наше право - звук пустой! Мы жизнь построим по иному - И вот наш лозунг боевой Вся власть народу трудовому! А дармоедов всех долой! \|: Это есть наш последний И решительный бой. С Интернационалом Воспрянет род людской :\|	Dovol'no krov' sosat', vampiry, Tjur'moj, nalogom, niščetoj! U vas - vsja vlast', vse blaga mira, A naše pravo - zvuk pustoj! My žizn' postroim po inomu - I vot naš lozung boevoj Vsja vlast' narodu trudvomu! A darmoedov vseh doloj! \|: Èto est' naš poslednij I rešitel'nyj boj. S Internacionalom Vosprjanet rod ljudskoj :\|

[edit]

English Translation

Note that these versions do not correspond exactly to the original French one, it's a mix-and-match of various stanzas from the original 6 into the 3. A full, 6-stanza translation can be found on the wikisource page on The Internationale.

Old Translation	Billy Bragg's Revision
First stanza
Arise, ye workers from your slumber, 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! 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.	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. 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.
Second stanza
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. 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.	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. 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.
Third stanza
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. 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.	And so begins the final drama, In the streets and in the fields. We stand unbowed before their armour, 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! 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.

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External links

Image:Wikisource-logo.jpg

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

The Internationale

Extensive set of downloadable recordings, in many languages cs:Internacionála (píseň)

cy:Yr Internationale da:Internationale (sang) de:Die Internationale (Lied) es:La Internacional eo:La Internacio (himno) et:Internatsionaal fa:سرود انترناسیونال fr:L'Internationale he:האינטרנציונל hr:Internacionala hu:Internacionálé io:L'internaciono it:L'Internazionale (inno) ku:Srûda Enternasyonal ko:인터내셔널 ms:Internationale nl:Internationale (lied) ja:インターナショナル (歌) pl:Międzynarodówka (pieśń) pt:A Internacional ru:Интернационал (гимн) se:Internationala fi:Kansainvälinen sv:Internationalen (sång) yi:האינטרנציונל zh:国际歌

French lyrics	Literal English translation
First stanza
Debout, les damnés de la terre Debout, les forçats de la faim La raison tonne en son cratère C'est l'éruption de la fin Du passé faisons table rase Foules, esclaves, debout, debout Le monde va changer de base Nous ne sommes rien, soyons tout \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	Arise, the damned of the earth, Arise, prisoners of hunger, For reason thunders in its crater, It is the last eruption! Let us discard the past, Army of slaves, arise, arise! The world is changing at the base, We who have been nothing, let's be everything! \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Second stanza
Il n'est pas de sauveurs suprêmes Ni Dieu, ni César, ni tribun Producteurs, sauvons-nous nous-mêmes Décrétons le salut commun Pour que le voleur rende gorge Pour tirer l'esprit du cachot Soufflons nous-mêmes notre forge Battons le fer quand il est chaud \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	There are no supreme saviours, Neither God, nor Caesar, nor tribune. Producers, let's save ourselves! Together let's enact a common decree To force the thief to return his loot, So that the mind is set free from the prison cell! Let us blow upon our furnace ourselves, Strike the iron while it is hot! \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Third stanza
L'état comprime et la loi triche L'impôt saigne le malheureux Nul devoir ne s'impose au riche Le droit du pauvre est un mot creux C'est assez, languir en tutelle L'égalité veut d'autres lois Pas de droits sans devoirs dit-elle Egaux, pas de devoirs sans droits \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	The state strangles and the law cheats, The taxes bleed the disadvantaged in society. The rich do not shoulder any responsibility; The rights of the poor is an empty word. It is enough to decay in servitude, Equality needs other laws! No rights without duty, she says, Conversely, no duty without rights. \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Fourth stanza
Hideux dans leur apothéose Les rois de la mine et du rail Ont-ils jamais fait autre chose Que dévaliser le travail Dans les coffres-forts de la bande Ce qu'il a créé s'est fondu En décrétant qu'on le lui rende Le peuple ne veut que son dû. \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	Hideous, in their glory, The kings of the mines and rail. They have done nothing else, But to steal others' work. In the strongboxes of this band, What we created are all in there! In working for their restitution, They only want their rightful due. \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Fifth stanza
Les rois nous saoulaient de fumées Paix entre nous, guerre aux tyrans Appliquons la grève aux armées Crosse en l'air, et rompons les rangs S'ils s'obstinent, ces cannibales A faire de nous des héros Ils sauront bientôt que nos balles Sont pour nos propres généraux \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	The kings deceive us with their fumes, Peace among ourselves, war to the tyrants! Let us encourage strikes in the armies, To wave their guns and disband their ranks! If they insist, those cannibals, To make heroes of us, They will soon know our bullets, Are for our own generals. \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|
Sixth stanza
Ouvriers, paysans, nous sommes Le grand parti des travailleurs La terre n'appartient qu'aux hommes L'oisif ira loger ailleurs Combien, de nos chairs se repaissent Mais si les corbeaux, les vautours Un de ces matins disparaissent Le soleil brillera toujours. \|: C'est la lutte finale Groupons-nous, et demain L'Internationale Sera le genre humain :\|	Labourers, peasants, we are The big party of workers The earth belongs only to humans The idle are going to live elsewhere How much they feast on our flesh But if the ravens and vultures Would one morning all disappear The sun would shine forever \|: It is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be mankind! :\|

Russian Translation	Latin Transliteration
First stanza
Вставай, проклятьем заклеймённый Весь мир голодных и рабов Кипит наш разум возмущённый И в смертный бой вести готов. Весь мир насилья мы разрушим До основанья, а затем Мы наш мы новый мир построим, Кто был никем, тот станет всем! \|: Это есть наш последний И решительный бой. С Интернационалом Воспрянет род людской :\|	Vstavaj, prokljat'em zaklejmënnyj Ves' mir golodnyh i rabov Kipit naš razum vozmuščënnyj I v smertnyj boj vesti gotov. Ves' mir nasil'ja my razrušim Do osnovan'ja, a zatem My naš my novyj mir postroim, Kto byl nikem, tot stanet vsem! \|: Èto est' naš poslednij I rešitel'nyj boj. S Internacionalom Vosprjanet rod ljudskoj :\|
Second stanza
Никто не даст нам избавленья Ни бог, ни царь и не герой Добьемся мы освобожденья Своею собственной рукой. Чтоб свергнуть гнёт рукой умелой, Отвоевать свое добро - Вздувайте горн и куйте смело, Пока железо горячо! \|: Это есть наш последний И решительный бой. С Интернационалом Воспрянет род людской :\|	Nikto ne dast nam izbavlen'ja Ni bog, ni car' i ne geroj Dob'emsja my osvobožden'ja Svoeju sobstvennoj rukoj. Čtob svergnut' gnët rukoj umeloj, Otvoevat' svoe dobro - Vzduvajte gorn i kujte smelo, Poka železo gorjačo! \|: Èto est' naš poslednij I rešitel'nyj boj. S Internacionalom Vosprjanet rod ljudskoj :\|
Third stanza
Довольно кровь сосать, вампиры, Тюрьмой, налогом, нищетой! У вас - вся власть, все блага мира, А наше право - звук пустой! Мы жизнь построим по иному - И вот наш лозунг боевой Вся власть народу трудовому! А дармоедов всех долой! \|: Это есть наш последний И решительный бой. С Интернационалом Воспрянет род людской :\|	Dovol'no krov' sosat', vampiry, Tjur'moj, nalogom, niščetoj! U vas - vsja vlast', vse blaga mira, A naše pravo - zvuk pustoj! My žizn' postroim po inomu - I vot naš lozung boevoj Vsja vlast' narodu trudvomu! A darmoedov vseh doloj! \|: Èto est' naš poslednij I rešitel'nyj boj. S Internacionalom Vosprjanet rod ljudskoj :\|

The Internationale

Contents

Original French lyrics

Lyrics used as national anthem in the early days of the Soviet Union

English Translation

See also

External links