"The Red Flag" () is a

socialist Socialism is a left-wing economic philosophy and movement encompassing a range of economic systems characterized by the dominance of social ownership of the means of production as opposed to private ownership. As a term, it describes the ...

song, emphasising the sacrifices and solidarity of the international

labour movement The labour movement or labor movement consists of two main wings: the trade union movement (British English) or labor union movement (American English) on the one hand, and the political labour movement on the other. * The trade union movement ...

. It is the anthem of the British Labour Party, the Northern Irish

Social Democratic and Labour Party The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) ( ga, Páirtí Sóisialta Daonlathach an Lucht Oibre) is a social-democratic and Irish nationalist political party in Northern Ireland. The SDLP currently has eight members in the Northern Ireland ...

and the Irish Labour Party. It was formerly used by the New Zealand Labour Party until the late 1940s. The song is traditionally sung at the close of each party's national conference. Translated versions of the song are sung by the

Japanese Communist Party The is a Left-wing politics, left-wing to Far-left politics, far-left List of political parties in Japan, political party in Japan. With approximately 270,000 members belonging to 18,000 branches, it is one of the largest non-governing Communis ...

and

Korean People's Army The Korean People's Army (KPA; ) is the military force of North Korea and the armed wing of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK). Under the '' Songun'' policy, it is the central institution of North Korean society. Currently, WPK General S ...

History

Irishman

Jim Connell Jim Connell (27 March 1852 – 8 February 1929) was an Irish political activist of the late 19th century and early 20th century, best known as the writer of the anthem " The Red Flag" in December 1889. Life Connell was born in the townland of R ...

wrote the song's lyrics in 1889 in Nicholas Donovan's house. There are six stanzas, each followed by the chorus. It is normally sung to the tune of "Lauriger Horatius", better known as the German carol "

O Tannenbaum "" (; "O fir tree", English: O Christmas Tree) is a German Christmas song. Based on a traditional folk song which was unrelated to Christmas, it became associated with the traditional Christmas tree. History The modern lyrics were written in 1824 ...

" ("O Christmas Tree"), though Connell had wanted it sung to the tune of a pro- Jacobite

Robert Burns Robert Burns (25 January 175921 July 1796), also known familiarly as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who hav ...

anthem, "

The White Cockade ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

". The use of the tune of "O Tannenbaum" was popularised by British socialist writer

Adolphe Smith Headingley Adolphe Smith Headingley (1846–1924) was a British left-wing political writer. Half-French, Smith Headingley was a member of the First International and took part in the Paris Commune. In 1877–78, he wrote and published the magazine series ' ...

in the 1890s; Connell disapproved of the tune which he regarded as "church music" and conservative by nature. When Billy Bragg recorded the song in 1990 with Scottish folk singer

Dick Gaughan Richard Peter Gaughan (born 17 May 1948) is a Scottish musician, singer and songwriter, particularly of folk and social protest songs. He is regarded as one of Scotland's leading singer-songwriters. Early years Gaughan was born in Glasgow's Roy ...

, he sang it to this original "White Cockade" melody. The lyrics of the first verse and the chorus, which are the most well-known parts of the song, are as follows: : ''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.'' : ''So raise the scarlet standard high,'' : ''Beneath its shade we'll live and die,'' : ''Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,'' : ''We'll keep the red flag flying here.'' "The Red Flag" resonated with the early radical workers' movement in the United States, and it appeared as the first song in the first edition of the ''

Little Red Songbook 180px, The ''Little Red Songbook'' Since the founding of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) songs have played a large part in spreading the message of the One Big Union. The songs are preserved in the ''Little Red Songbook''. Definition ...

'' of the

Industrial Workers of the World The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), members of which are commonly termed "Wobblies", is an international labor union that was founded in Chicago in 1905. The origin of the nickname "Wobblies" is uncertain. IWW ideology combines general ...

in 1909. Only five of the six stanzas were printed, omitting the fourth stanza that begins, "It well recalls the triumphs past." In a 1913 article for the

Industrial Worker The ''Industrial Worker'', "the voice of revolutionary industrial unionism", is the magazine of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). It is currently released quarterly. The publication is printed and edited by union labor, and is frequently ...

, the celebrated IWW bard Joe Hill rejected the category of "the people" as middle class, and suggested a further change to the song. Referring to his experiences in the

Magonista rebellion of 1911 The Magonista rebellion of 1911 was an early uprising of the Mexican Revolution organized by the Liberal Party of Mexico (, PLM), which was only successful in northern Baja California. It is named after Ricardo Flores Magón, one of the leaders ...

, he wrote:

When the Red Flag was flying in Lower California there were not any of "the people" in the ranks of the rebels. Common working stiffs and cow-punchers were in the majority, with a little sprinkling of "outlaws," whatever that is. ..Well, it is about time that every rebel wakes up to the fact that "the people" and the workingclass 'sic''have nothing in common. Let us sing after this "''The Workers' flag is deepest red''" and to hell with "the people."

"The Red Flag" has been the British Labour Party's official anthem from its founding; its annual party conference closes with the song. "The Red Flag" was first sung in the

House of Commons The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of parliament. T ...

on 1 August 1945, when Parliament convened after Clement Attlee's Labour defeat of

Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 187424 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from ...

's Conservatives. Dockers in London were regarded as militant socialists ever since their strike in 1889 for the "dockers' tanner." In the 1950s, at the end of public meetings with management, dockers filling the main floor of the hall sang "The Red Flag" while superintendents and managers (usually segregated in the gallery) simultaneously sang "God Save the Queen". "The Red Flag" was sung by Labour MPs on 27 May 1976, allegedly prompting

Michael Heseltine Michael Ray Dibdin Heseltine, Baron Heseltine, (; born 21 March 1933) is a British politician and businessman. Having begun his career as a property developer, he became one of the founders of the publishing house Haymarket. Heseltine served ...

to swing the mace above his head. It was also sung on the evening of 28 March 1979 when a

motion of no confidence A motion of no confidence, also variously called a vote of no confidence, no-confidence motion, motion of confidence, or vote of confidence, is a statement or vote about whether a person in a position of responsibility like in government or m ...

brought down the Labour Government. It was sung again in Parliament in February 2006 to mark the centenary of the Labour Party's founding. It was sung again in the House of Commons in September 2019 to protest the prorogation of parliament. During the Tony Blair government it was claimed the leadership sought to downplay its role, however, it is often sung at the end of party conferences alongside ''Jerusalem''. Following the 2015 election of veteran socialist

Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Bernard Corbyn (; born 26 May 1949) is a British politician who served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party from 2015 to 2020. On the political left of the Labour Party, Corbyn describes himself as a socialist ...

as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, "The Red Flag" was sung as he and his supporters celebrated in The Sanctuary, a

public house A pub (short for public house) is a kind of drinking establishment which is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises. The term ''public house'' first appeared in the United Kingdom in late 17th century, and wa ...

in London. In 1982,

Shakin Stevens Michael Barratt (born 4 March 1948), known professionally as Shakin' Stevens, is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He was the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s. His recording and performing career began in the late 1960s, althoug ...

recorded a rock & roll cover of the song known as "Red Flag Rock".

Lyrics

: 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. ::''Chorus:'' :: Then raise the scarlet standard high. :: Beneath 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 were sung : Chicago swells the surging throng. ::''(chorus)'' : 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. ::''(chorus)'' : 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. ::''(chorus)'' : 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. ::''(chorus)'' : With head uncovered swear we all : To bear it onward till we fall; : Come dungeons dark or gallows grim, : This song shall be our parting hymn. ::''(chorus)''

Alternative versions

A famous song of the Italian labour movement has the same title (though in Italian): ''

Bandiera Rossa ''Bandiera Rossa'' (Italian for "Red Flag"), often also called ''Avanti Popolo'' after its opening words (also to avoid any confusion with '' The three flags'', another socialist song) is one of the most famous songs of the Italian labour moveme ...

'', but different lyrics and tune, as does the French song ''Le drapeau rouge'', known in English as '' The Standard of Revolt''. The melody is used in Harold Baum's "The Michaelis Anthem" in ''The Biochemists' Songbook''.

Parodies

"The Red Flag" was parodied by singer-songwriter

Leon Rosselson Leon Rosselson (born 22 June 1934, Harrow, Middlesex, England) is an English songwriter and writer of children's books. After his early involvement in the folk music revival in Britain, he came to prominence, singing his own satirical songs, i ...

as the "Battle Hymn of the New Socialist Party," also known as "The Red Flag Once a Year" or "The People's Flag Is Palest Pink." It is intended to satirise the perceived lack of

principles in the Labour Party. The initial parody was widely known in the 1960s, sometimes sung during late night parties at student conferences. It was revived in the early 2000s in response to the centrist reforms associated with Tony Blair. A version which began "The people's flag is palest pink, mum washed it in the kitchen sink" was popular among schoolchildren in the 1950s, which may have inspired Rosselson's version. A version can be found as far back as 1920 in ''Through Bolshevik Russia'' by

Ethel Snowden Ethel Snowden, Viscountess Snowden (born Ethel Annakin; 8 September 1881 – 22 February 1951), was a British socialist, human rights activist, and feminist politician. From a middle-class background, she became a Christian Socialist thro ...

. A version of the lyrics sung regularly at the Liberal Democrats'

Glee Club A glee club in the United States is a musical group or choir group, historically of male voices but also of female or mixed voices, which traditionally specializes in the singing of short songs by trios or quartets. In the late 19th century it w ...

, also dated to the mid-1960s, is: : ''The people's flag is palest pink,'' : ''It's not as red as most think.'' : ''We must not let the people know'' : ''What socialists thought long ago.'' : ''Don't let the scarlet banner float;'' : ''We want the middle classes' vote.'' : ''Let our old fashioned comrades sneer,'' : ''We'll stay in power for many a year.'' A parody of unknown origin is known as ''The Foreman's Job'', and this is sometimes considered a

rugby Rugby may refer to: Sport * Rugby football in many forms: ** Rugby league: 13 players per side *** Masters Rugby League *** Mod league *** Rugby league nines *** Rugby league sevens *** Touch (sport) *** Wheelchair rugby league ** Rugby union: 1 ...

song. This has many variants but usually begins: :''The working class can kiss my arse'' :''I got the foreman's job at last.'' :''You can tell old Joe I'm off the dole'' :''He can stick his Red Flag up his 'ole!''.

Football chants

A version of "The Red Flag" with similar lyrics entitled "We'll Never Die" is the official anthem of

Manchester United F.C. Manchester United Football Club, commonly referred to as Man United (often stylised as Man Utd), or simply United, is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. The club competes in the Premier League, ...

: :''We’ll never die, we’ll never die'' :''We’ll never die, we’ll never die'' :''We’ll keep the red flag flying high'' :''Cos Man United never die'' A similar

football chant A football chant or terrace chant is form of vocalisation performed by supporters of association football, typically during football matches. Football chanting is an expression of collective identity, most often used by fans to express their ...

is also sung regularly by supporters of Sunderland AFC: : ''Flying high up in the sky,'' : ''We'll keep the red flag flying high,'' : ''Wherever you go you're sure to know,'' : ''We'll keep the red flag flying high.'' Supporters of

Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is a professional football club based in Bristol, England, which compete in the , the second tier of English football. They have played their home games at Ashton Gate since moving from St John's Lane in 1904. The ...

(also known as ciderheads) sing the same version with a third line of ''"Ciderheads until we die"''. AFC Bournemouth fans sing the third line as ''"

Dean Court Dean Court, currently known as the Vitality Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Kings Park, Boscombe, a suburb of Bournemouth, Dorset, England and the home ground of AFC Bournemouth. History In 1910, Boscombe F.C. was g ...

Wembley Wembley () is a large suburbIn British English, "suburb" often refers to the secondary urban centres of a city. Wembley is not a suburb in the American sense, i.e. a single-family residential area outside of the city itself. in north-west Londo ...

"'', and

Wrexham A.F.C. Wrexham Association Football Club ( cy, Clwb Pêl-droed Wrecsam) is a Welsh professional association football club based in Wrexham, Wales. The team competes in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football league system. Formed ...

supporters end with: : ''On the road to victory,'' : ''We'll keep the Welsh flag flying high.''

Chelsea F.C. Chelsea Football Club is an English professional football club based in Fulham, West London. Founded in 1905, they play their home games at Stamford Bridge. The club competes in the Premier League, the top division of English football ...

fans sing a version of the song called ''The Blue Flag'': : ''From Stamford Bridge to Wembley'' : ''We'll keep the blue flag flying high'' : ''Flying high up in the sky'' : ''We'll keep the Blue flag flying high'' : ''From Stamford Bridge to Wembley'' : ''We'll keep the blue flag flying high''

Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club is a professional association football club based in the town of Northampton, England. The team plays in , the fourth tier of the English football league system. Founded in 1897, the club competed in the Midland L ...

supporters have their own adaptation "The Fields Are Green": : ''The fields are green, the sky is blue'' : ''The

River Nene The River Nene ( or : see below) is a river in the east of England that rises from three sources in Northamptonshire.OS Explorer Map sheet 223, Northampton & Market Harborough, Brixworth & Pitsford Water. The river is about long, about of w ...

goes winding through'' : ''The Market Square is cobblestoned'' : ''It shakes the old dears to the bones'' : ''No finer town you'll ever see'' : ''No finer town they'll ever be'' : ''Big city lights don't bother me'' : ''Northampton Town, I'm proud to be!''

The Net Flag

A version of "The Red Flag" with similar lyrics entitled "The Net Flag" was introduced near the inception of the

World Wide Web The World Wide Web (WWW), commonly known as the Web, is an information system enabling documents and other web resources to be accessed over the Internet. Documents and downloadable media are made available to the network through web ...

: : ''The people's web is deepest red,'' : ''And oft it's killed our routers dead.'' : ''But ere the bugs grew ten days old,'' : ''The patches fixed the broken code.'' : ''So raise the open standard high'' : ''Within its codes we'll live or die'' : ''Though cowards flinch and Bill Gates sneers'' : ''We'll keep the net flag flying here.''

In popular culture

"The Red Flag" was sung in the 2018 film '' Red Joan'' at a Cambridge University socialist meeting circa 1938 attended by the young protagonist (portrayed by

Sophie Cookson Sophie Cookson (born 1989 or 1990) is an English actress best known for portraying secret agent Roxanne "Roxy" Morton / Lancelot in the 2014 spy film '' Kingsman: The Secret Service'' and its 2017 sequel '' The Golden Circle'', and for playing ...

) and her romantic interest Leo (portrayed by Tom Hughes).

Recordings

* Billy Bragg *

References

External links

The Red Flag
– full text of lyrics online from Fordham University
The Red Flag: the song, the man, the monument

from the

Marxists Internet Archive Marxists Internet Archive (also known as MIA or Marxists.org) is a non-profit online encyclopedia that hosts a multilingual library (created in 1990) of the works of communist, anarchist, and socialist writers, such as Karl Marx, Friedrich Eng ...

* A version with an original melody fro
Cape Breton Island Protest Songs
{{DEFAULTSORT:Red Flag, The 1889 songs Industrial Workers of the World culture Labour Party (UK) Political party songs Protest songs Socialist International Socialist symbols Football songs and chants Socialist songs