Just before the start of the Battle of Waterloo (n Belgium) during June, 1815, the Imperial French Army cheered the working-class British Army – and requested that instead of the proletariat “killing one another” for the betterment of the bourgeoisie – the British and French working-classes should join and overthrow the bourgeoisie together! The Emperor Napoleon represents the French Revolution of 1789 – and his armies represent freedom for all of humanity! How many British soldiers changed sides – history does not record – but enough stayed loyal to the bourgeoisie to make a battle of it. The 1970 film “Waterloo” was filmed in Soviet Ukraine with soldiers from the Soviet Red Army playing both the French and the British! The Red Army discipline was superb as each soldier dressed in exact uniforms and learned to use the old weaponry correctly!
During 1848, after the British had forced the restoration of a despotic monarchy in France – the working-class across Europe launched a massive uprising against the oppressive tyranny of the bourgeoisie and the terrible conditions found in the industrialised factories! This was when Marx and Engels were forced to flee to England in 1849 – as they were in the thick of the agitation in Europe – with Marx advising the workers to arm and defend themselves! The Vatican called for the arrest, trial and execution of Marx for daring to challenge the status quo and religious dominance. Whilst living in Belgium, Marx and Engels ran a “free” “Correspondence College” for working-class people to learn how to read and write and understand socio-economics. Lessons were sent out via the postal service.
Much later, in 1871 – France was forced to go to war with Germany. However, the great people of Paris overthrow the French bourgeois government and declared the “Paris Commune” – an entity Karl Marx (living in London) declared the “first Socialist State in the world”! The Paris Commune abolished religion, capitalism and war. All public servants worked for “free”. Education was “free”. Food was “free”. Clothing was “free”. Employment was guaranteed and men, women, and children were “equal”. Défense of the Paris Commune was a voluntary affair. Of course, the French and German bourgeoisie stopped fighting one another – joined forces – and attacked the working-class Paris Commune, totally destroying it and executing its officials, supporters and soldiers!
[ENJOLRAS]
À la volonté du peuple
Et à la santé du progrès
Remplis ton coeur d’un vin rebelle
Et à demain, ami fidèle
Si ton coeur bat aussi fort
Que le tambour dans le lointain
C’est que l’espoir existe encore
Pour le genre humain
[COMBEFERRE]
Nous ferons d’une barricade
Le symbole d’une ère qui commence
Nous partons en croisade
Au coeur de la terre sainte de France
[COURFEYRAC]
Nous sommes désormais
Les guerriers d’une armée qui s’avance
[TOUS]
À la volonté du peuple
Et à la santé du progrès
Remplis ton coeur d’un vin rebelle
Et à demain, ami fidèle
Si ton coeur bat aussi fort
Que le tambour dans le lointain
C’est que l’espoir existe encore
Pour le genre humain
[FEUILLY]
À la volonté du peuple
Je fais don de ma volonté
S’il faut mourir pour elle
Moi, je veux être le premier
Le premier nom gravé
Au marbre du monument d’espoir!
[TOUS]
À la volonté du peuple
Et à la santé du progrès
Remplis ton coeur d’un vin rebelle
Et à demain, ami fidèle
Si ton coeur bat aussi fort
Que le tambour dans le lointain
C’est que l’espoir existe encore
Pour le genre humain
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance?
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes
SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 