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The Internationale
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Everything about The Internationale totally explained

The Internationale (L'Internationale in French) is a famous socialist, anarchist, communist, and social-democratic anthem and one of the most widely recognized songs in the world.
   The Internationale became the anthem of international socialism. Its original French refrain is C'est la lutte finale/ Groupons-nous et demain/ L'Internationale/ Sera le genre humain. (Freely translated: "This is the final struggle/ Let us join together and tomorrow/ The Internationale/ Will be the human race.") The Internationale has been translated into many of the world's languages. Traditionally it's sung with the hand raised in a clenched fist salute. The Internationale is sung not only by communists but also (in many countries) by socialists or social democrats. The Chinese version was also a rallying song of the students and workers at the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

Original French lyrics

The original French words were written in 1870 by Eugène Pottier (18161887, later a member of the Paris Commune) and were originally intended to be sung to the tune of La Marseillaise. Pierre De Geyter (18481932) set the poem to music in 1888 and his melody became widely used soon after.
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 :|
Stand up, wretched of the earth
Stand up, galley slaves of hunger
Reason thunders in its volcano
This is the eruption of the end
Of the past let us wipe the slate clean
Masses, slaves, arise, arise
The world is about to change its foundation
We are nothing, let us be all
 |: This is the final struggle
  Let us gather together, and tomorrow
  The Internationale
  Will be the human race :|
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 us save ourselves
Decree the common welfare
That the thief return his plunder,
That the spirit be pulled from its prison
Let us fan the forge ourselves
Strike the iron while it's hot
 |: This is the final struggle
  Let us stand together, and tomorrow
  The Internationale
  Will be the human race :|
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 represses and the law cheats
The tax bleeds the unfortunate
No duty is imposed on the rich
'Rights of the poor' is a hollow phrase
Enough languishing in custody
Equality wants other laws:
No rights without obligations, it says,
And as well, no obligations without rights
 |: This is the final struggle
  Let us stand together, and tomorrow
  The Internationale
  Will be the human race :|
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 self-glorification
Kings of the mine and rail
Have they ever done anything other
Than steal work?
Into the coffers of that lot,
What work creates has melted
In demanding that they give it back
The people wants only its due.
 |: This is the final struggle
  Let us stand together, and tomorrow
  The Internationale
  Will be the human race :|
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 make us drunk with their fumes,
Peace among ourselves, war to the tyrants!
Let the armies go on strike,
Guns in the air, and break ranks
If these cannibals insist
On making heroes of us,
Soon that'll know our bullets
Are for our own generals
 |: This is the final struggle
  Let us stand together, and tomorrow
  The Internationale
  Will be the human race :|
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 great party of workers
The earth belongs only to men
The idle will go reside elsewhere
How much of our flesh they feed on,
But if the ravens and vultures
Disappear one of these days
The sun will still shine
 |: This is the final struggle
  Let us stand together, and tomorrow
  The Internationale
  Will be the human race :|

Copyright status

  • In an unsuccessful attempt to save Pierre De Geyter's job as a woodcarver, the 6,000 leaflets printed by Lille printer Bolboduc only mentioned the French version of his family name (Degeyter). In 1904, Pierre's brother Adolphe was induced by the Lille mayor Delory to claim copyright, so that the income of the song would continue to go to Delory's right-wing socialist party. Pierre De Geyter lost the first copyright case in 1914, but after his brother committed suicide and left a note explaining the fraud, Pierre was declared the copyright owner by a court of appeal in 1922 .
  • Pierre De Geyter died in 1932. His music of the Internationale may be copyrighted in France until October 2017. The duration of copyright in France is 70 years following the death of the author, plus 6 years and 152 days to compensate for the First World War, and 8 years and 120 days to compensate for the Second World War respectively. However, whether these clauses apply is a matter of current litigation. In 2005, the corporation administering the authors' rights asked, the film director and an actor of Insurrection / résurrection, to pay €1,000 for whistling the song for seven seconds.
    • However, as the Internationale music was published in the late 19th century (before 1 July 1909) outside the United States of America, it's in the public domain in the USA.
    • Pierre De Geyter's music is also in the public domain in countries and areas whose copyright durations are authors' lifetime plus 75 years or less.
  • As Eugène Pottier died in 1887, his original French lyrics are in the public domain.

    Russian lyrics

    The Russian version was initially translated by Aron Kots (Arkady Yakovlevich Kots) in 1902 and printed in London in Zhizn, a Russian émigré magazine. The first Russian version consisted of three stanzas (as opposed to six stanzas in the original French lyrics, and based on stanzas 1, 2 and 6) and the refrain. After the Bolshevik takeover of Russia, the text was slightly re-worded to get rid of "now useless" future tenses - particularly the refrain was reworded (the future tense was replaced by the present, and the first person plural possessive pronoun was introduced). In 1918, the chief-editor of Izvestia, Yuri Steklov, appealed to Russian writers to translate the other three stanzas and in the end, the song was expanded into six stanzas. In 1944 the Soviet Union adopted the Hymn of the Soviet Union as its national anthem. Prior to that time, the Internationale served as the principal musical expression of allegiance to the ideals of the October Revolution and the Soviet Union. (The Internationale continued to be recognized as the official song of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and the post-1919 Soviet version is still used by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation)
    Russian translation atin transliteration iteral English translation
    First stanza
    Вставай, проклятьем заклеймённый,
    Весь мир голодных и рабов!
    Кипит наш разум возмущённый
    И в смертный бой вести готов.
    Весь мир насилья мы разроем
    До основанья, а затем
    Мы наш, мы новый мир построим, —
    Кто был ничем, тот станет всем.
    Припев:
     |: Это есть наш последний
      И решительный бой.
      С Интернационалом
      Воспрянет род людской! :|

    Vstavay, proklyat'yem zakleymyonniy
    Ves' mir golodnykh i rabov
    Kipit nash razum vozmushchonniy
    I v smertniy boy vesti gotov.
    Ves' mir nasil'ya my razroyem
    Do osnovan'ya, a zatem
    My nash my noviy mir postroim,
    Kto byl nichem, tot stanet vsem!
    Pripev:
      I reshitel'niy boy.
      S Internatsionalom
      Vospryanet rod lyudskoy. :|
    Arise, you branded by a curse,
    You whole world of the starving and enslaved!
    Our indignant intellect boils,
    Ready to lead us into a fight to the death.
    We will destroy this world of violence
    Down to the foundations, and then
    We will build our new world.
    He who was nothing will become everything!
     |: This will be the final
       and decisive battle.
       With the Internationale
       the human race will arise. :|
    Second stanza
    Никто не даст нам избавленья:
    Ни бог, ни царь и ни герой!
    Добьёмся мы освобожденья
    Своею собственной рукой.
    Чтоб свергнуть гнёт рукой умелой,
    Отвоевать своё 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'ya
    Ni bog, ni tsar' i ni geroy
    Dob'yomsya my osvobozhden'ya
    Svoyeyu sobstvennoy rukoy.
    Chtob svergnut' gnyot rukoy umeloy,
    Otvoyevat' svoyo dobro –
    Vzduvayte gorn i kuyte smelo,
    Poka zhelezo goryacho!
     |: Èto budet posledniy
      I reshitel'niy boy.
      S Internatsionalom
      Vospryanet rod lyudskoy. :|
    No one will grant us deliverance,
    No God, no Tsar, no hero.
    We will win our liberation,
    With our very own hands.
    To throw down oppression with a skilled hand,
    To take back what is ours –
    Fire up the furnace and hammer boldly,
    while the iron is still hot!
     |: This will be the final
       and decisive battle.
       With the Internationale
       the human race will arise. :|
    Third stanza
    Лишь мы, работники всемирной
    Великой армии труда,
    Владеть землёй имеем право,
    Но паразиты — никогда!
    И если гром великий грянет
    Над сворой псов и палачей, —
    Для нас всё так же солнце станет
    Сиять огнём своих лучей.
     |: Это есть наш последний
      И решительный бой.
      С Интернационалом
      Воспрянет род людской! :|
    Lish' my, rabotniki vsemirnoy
    Velikoy armii truda,
    Vladet' zemlyoy imeyem pravo,
    No parazity – nikogda!
    I yesli grom velikiy gryanet
    Nad svoroy psov i palachey, –
    Dlya nas vsyo tak zhe solnitse stanet
    Siyat' ognyom svoikh luchey.
     |: Èto budet posledniy
      I reshitel'niy boy.
      S Internatsionalom
      Vospryanet rod lyudskoy. :|
    Only we, the workers of the world-wide
    Great army of labour,
    Have the right to own the land,
    But the parasites - never!
    And if the great thunder rolls
    Over the pack of dogs and executioners,
    For us, the sun will still
    Shine on with its fiery rays.
     |: This will be the final
       and decisive battle.
       With the Internationale
       the human race will arise. :|

    English lyrics

    » 1. Arise! ye starvelings, from your slumbers;


       Arise! ye prisoners of want. » For reason in revolt now thunders


       And ends at last 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.

    » 2. 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 his forge must do his duty


       And strike the iron while it’s hot! » 3. The law oppresses us and tricks us,


       The wage slave system drains our blood; » The rich are free from obligation,


       The laws the poor delude. » Too long we’ve languished in subjection,


       Equality has other laws; » “No rights,” says she “without their duties,


       No claims on equals without cause.” » 4. Behold them seated in their glory


       The kings of mine and rail and soil! » What have you read in all their story,


       But how they plundered toil? » Fruits of the workers’ toil are buried


       In strongholds of the idle few » In working for their restitution


       The men will only claim their due. » 5. 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. » 6. We peasants, artisans, and others


       Enrolled among the sons of toil, » Let’s claim the earth henceforth for brothers,


       Drive the indolent from the soil! » On our Flesh too Long has fed the Raven;


       We’ve too long been the vulture’s prey. » But now farewell the spirit craven:


       The dawn brings in a brighter day. » Lyrics by


       Music by The traditional British version of The Internationale is usually sung in three verses, while the American version, authored by Charles Hope Kerr, is sung in two.(External Link) The American version is sometimes sung with the phrase "the internationale", "the international soviet", or "the international union" in place of "the international working class". In English, the traditional workers' pronunciation isn't an imitation of the French [ɛ̃tɛʀnasjɔnal(ə)], but rather [ɪntɚnæʃəˈnæli] (rhyming with "alley" or "valley").
       The English versions are known to be notoriously difficult to sing, as the lyrics may appear sometimes forced and unnatural. British musician Billy Bragg, after talking to the American folk singer and activist Pete Seeger, agreed that the old lyrics were "archaic and unsingable". Bragg composed revised verses for the song, based on the British version. The recording was released on his album The Internationale along with reworkings of other socialist songs. A full, six-stanza translation can be found on the Wikisource page on .
    British/Irish Translation illy Bragg's Revision merican version
    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've nothing if you've 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.
    Arise, you prisoners of starvation!
    Arise, you wretched of the earth!
    For justice thunders condemnation:
    A better world's in birth!
    No more tradition's chains shall bind us,
    Arise you slaves, no more in thrall!
    The earth shall rise on new foundations:
    We have been nought, we'll be all!
      'Tis the final conflict,
      Let each stand in his place.
      The international soviet
      Shall be the human race
      'Tis the final conflict,
      Let each stand in his place.
      The international working class
      Shall be 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.
    We want no condescending saviors
    To rule us from their judgment hall,
    We workers ask not for their favors
    Let us consult for all:
    To make the thief disgorge his booty
    To free the spirit from its cell,
    We must ourselves decide our duty,
    We must decide, and do it well.
      'Tis the final conflict,
      Let each stand in his place.
      The international soviet
      Shall be the human race
      'Tis the final conflict,
      Let each stand in his place.
      The international working class
      Shall be 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 to all give a happier lot.
    Each at his forge must do their duty,
    And we'll strike the iron while it's 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 life and love.
    For though they offer us concessions,
    Change won't 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.

    A Techno version of the anthem has been recorded by Maxx Klaxon under the title Internationale 2000, with original lyrics making references to television and soldiers in mutiny. (External Link) (Complete MP3 from Maxx Klaxon's website)

    Italian lyrics

    The lyrics in Italian are, as tradition dictates, sung twice.

    L'Internazionale

    In piedi, dannati della terra,
    In piedi, forzati della fame!
    La ragione tuona nel cratere,
    E’ l’eruzione finale.
    Del passato facciam tabula rasa,
    Folle, schiavi, in piedi! In piedi!
    Il mondo sta cambiando base,
    Non siamo niente, saremo tutto!
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    Non ci son supremi salvatori,
    Né Dio, né Cesare, né tribuno,
    Chi produce si salvi da solo,
    Decretiamo la salute comune.
    Affinché il ladro renda il maltolto
    E respiri l’aria della galera
    Soffiamo noi stessi nella forgia,
    Battiamo il ferro quando è caldo!
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    Lo stato opprime e la legge imbroglia,
    Le tasse dissanguano lo sventurato;
    Nessun dovere è imposto al ricco,
    Il diritto per i poveri è una parola vuota.
    Basta languir nella tutela!
    L’uguaglianza chiede altre leggi,
    Niente diritti senza doveri, dice,
    Uguali, nessun dovere senza diritti!
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    Orrendi nella loro apoteosi
    I re della miniera e della ferrovia
    Hanno mai fatto altra cosa
    Che derubare il lavoro?
    Nelle casseforti della banda
    E’ stato fuso quel che ha creato;
    Decretando che gli si renda
    Il popolo non vuole che il dovuto.
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    I re ci hanno ubriacato di fumo!
    Pace tra noi, guerra ai tiranni!
    Mettiamo lo sciopero negli eserciti,
    Cannone puntato in aria e rompiamo i ranghi!
    Se si ostinano, questi cannibali
    A far di noi degli eroi
    Sapranno presto che le nostre pallottole
    Son per i nostri generali!
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    Operai contadini, noi siamo
    Il gran partito dei lavoratori,
    La terra appartiene solo agli uomini,
    Il fannullone sloggerà!
    Quanto si nutrono della nostra carne,
    Ma se i corvi e gli avvoltoi
    Un mattino scompariranno
    Il sole brillerà per sempre!
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.
    È la lotta finale,
    Uniamoci, e domani
    L’Internazionale
    Sarà il genere umano.

    Alternate version

    Compagni avanti, il gran Partito
    noi siamo dei lavorator.
    Rosso un fiore in petto c'è fiorito
    una fede ci è nata in cuor.
    Noi non siamo più nell'officina,
    entro terra, nei campi, in mar
    la plebe sempre all'opra china
    Senza ideali in cui sperar.
    Su, lottiam! l'ideale
    nostro alfine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!
    Su, lottiamo! l'ideale
    nostro fine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!
    Un gran stendardo al sol fiammante
    dinanzi a noi glorioso va,
    noi vogliam per esso siano infrante
    le catene alla libertà!
    Che giustizia alfin venga, vogliamo:
    non più servi, non più signor;
    fratelli tutti esser dobbiamo
    nella famiglia del lavor.
    Su, lottiam! l'ideale
    nostro alfine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!
    Su, lottiamo! l'ideale
    nostro fine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!
    Lottiam, lottiam, la terra sia
    di tutti eguale proprietà,
    più nessuno nei campi dia
    l'opra ad altri che in ozio sta.
    E la macchina sia alleata
    non nemica ai lavorator;
    così la vita rinnovata
    all'uom darà pace ed amor!
    Su, lottiam! l'ideale
    nostro alfine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!
    Su, lottiamo! l'ideale
    nostro fine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!
    Avanti, avanti, la vittoria
    è nostra e nostro è l'avvenir;
    più civile e giusta, la storia
    un'altra era sta per aprir.
    Largo a noi, all'alta battaglia
    noi corriamo per l'Ideal:
    via, largo, noi siam la canaglia
    che lotta pel suo Germinal!
    Su, lottiam! l'ideale
    nostro alfine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!
    Su, lottiamo! l'ideale
    nostro fine sarà
    l'Internazionale
    futura umanità!

    Communist version

    Version called "L'Internazionale Proletaria", used by Italian communists.
       Noi siamo i proletari in lotta,
    gli oppressi che hanno detto no!
    La forza immensa di chi vuole
    rovesciare la società.
    Nelle fabbriche, nelle campagne,
    nelle scuole e nei quartier
    la violenza degli sfruttati
    che questo mondo trasformerà.
    Questa voce che sale
    dalla lotta e che va
    è l’Internazionale,
    più forte umanità!
    Questo pugno che uguale
    l’uomo all’uomo farà
    è l’Internazionale,
    più grande umanità.
    Noi siam la classe di chi crede
    che la vera libertà
    la si conquista col fucile,
    chi scende a patti la perderà.
    Senza patria, senza legge e nome,
    da Battipaglia a Düsseldorf,
    siamo la tendenza generale,
    siamo la rivoluzion!
    Questa voce che sale
    dalla lotta e che va
    è l’Internazionale,
    più forte umanità!
    Questo pugno che uguale
    l’uomo all’uomo farà
    è l’Internazionale,
    più grande umanità.
    Contro il riformismo che contratta
    ma che il potere non ci dà,
    noi siamo la classe che avanza,
    che il Comunismo costruirà!
    Uguaglianza, forza e fantasia,
    conoscenza e libertà,
    che ci fu negata dal potere,
    a tutti quanti apparterrà.
    Questa voce che sale
    dalla lotta e che va
    è l’Internazionale,
    più forte umanità!
    Questo pugno che uguale
    l’uomo all’uomo farà
    è l’Internazionale,
    più grande umanità.

    German lyrics

    The German lyrics were used as a song of anti-fascism and particularly anti-Nazism. It was used in East Germany as a song of the Proletariat.

    Original lyrics

    Wacht auf, Verdammte dieser Erde,
    die stets man noch zum Hungern zwingt!
    Das Recht wie Glut im Kraterherde
    nun mit Macht zum Durchbruch dringt.
    Reinen Tisch macht mit dem Bedränger!
    Heer der Sklaven, wache auf!
    Ein nichts zu sein, tragt es nicht länger
    Alles zu werden, strömt zuhauf!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!
    Es rettet uns kein höh'res Wesen
    kein Gott, kein Kaiser, noch Tribun
    Uns aus dem Elend zu erlösen
    können wir nur selber tun!
    Leeres Wort: des Armen Rechte,
    Leeres Wort: des Reichen Pflicht!
    Unmündig nennt man uns und Knechte,
    duldet die Schmach nun länger nicht!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!
    Gewölbe, stark und fest bewehret
    die bergen, was man dir entzog.
    Dort liegt das Gut, das dir gehöret
    und um das man dich betrog.
    Ausgebeutet bist du worden!
    ausgesogen bis aufs Mark!
    Auf Erden rings, in Süd und Norden,
    das Recht ist schwach, die Willkür stark!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!
    In Stadt und Land, ihr Arbeitsleute,
    wir sind die stärkste Partei'n
    Die Müßiggänger schiebt beiseite!
    Diese Welt muß unser sein!
    Unser Blut sei nicht mehr der Raben
    und der mächtigen Geier Fraß!
    Erst wenn wir sie vertrieben haben
    dann scheint die Sonn' ohn' Unterlaß!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!
    Völker, hört die Signale,
    Auf, zum letzten Gefecht!
    Die Internationale
    Erkämpft das Menschenrecht!

    Spanish lyrics

    The Spanish lyrics vary from Spain to Latin America. While lyrics are commonly exchanged among different groups and parties of different ideologies (for example communists, socialists, social democrats and anarchists), there's an officially established Cuban version. It is used on party occasions by the Cuban Communist Party. These Cuban lyrics are nearly identical to the Latin American version

    Castilian lyrics

    ¡Arriba, parias de la Tierra.
    En pie, famélica legión! br Atruena la razón en marcha,
    Es el fin de la opresión.
    Del pasado hay que hacer añicos
    legión esclava en pie a vencer,
    el mundo va a cambiar de base,
    los nada de hoy todo han de ser.
    ¡Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final!
    El género humano
    es la Internacional.
    ¡Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final!
    El género humano
    es la Internacional.
    Ni en dioses, reyes ni tribunos,
    está el supremo salvador.
    Nosotros mismos realicemos
    el esfuerzo redentor.
    Para hacer que el tirano caiga
    y el mundo siervo liberar,
    soplemos la potente fragua
    que el hombre libre ha de forjar.
    ¡Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final!
    El género humano
    es la Internacional.
    ¡Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final!
    El género humano
    es la Internacional.
    La ley nos burla y el Estado
    oprime y sangra al productor.
    Nos da derechos irrisorios,
    no hay deberes del señor.
    Basta ya de tutela odiosa,
    que la igualdad ley ha de ser,
    no más deberes sin derechos,
    ningún derecho sin deber.
    ¡Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final!
    El género humano
    es la Internacional.
    ¡Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final!
    El género humano
    es la Internacional.
    '

    Latin American lyrics

    Arriba los pobres del mundo,
    de pie los esclavos sin pan.
    Y gritemos todos unidos:
    Viva la Internacional!
    Removamos todas las trabas
    que oprimen al proletario.
    Cambiemos al mundo de fase
    hundiendo al imperio burgués.
    Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final
    y se alcen los pueblos
    por la Internacional.
    Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final
    y se alcen los pueblos
    por la Internacional.
    El día que el triunfo alcancemos
    ni esclavos, ni hambrientos habrá.
    La tierra será el paraíso
    de toda la humanidad.
    Que la tierra de todos sus frutos
    y la dicha en nuestro hogar
    el trabajo es el sostén de todos
    que la abundancia hará gozar.
    Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final
    y se alcen los pueblos
    por la Internacional.
    Agrupémonos todos,
    en la lucha final
    y se alcen los pueblos
    por la Internacional.

    FAI Anarchist version of the Spanish Revolution

    Arriba los pobres del mundo
    En pie los esclavos sin pan.
    Alcémonos todos, que llega.
    La Revolución Social.
    La Anarquía ha de emanciparnos
    de toda la explotación
    El comunismo libertario
    será nuestra redención
    Agrupémonos todos
    a la lucha social
    Con la FAI lograremos
    el éxito final
    Agrupémonos todos
    a la lucha social
    Con la FAI lograremos
    el éxito final
    Color de sangre tiene el fuego
    color negro tiene el volcán
    Colores negro y rojo tiene
    nuestra bandera triunfal
    Los hombres han de ser hermanos
    cese la desigualdad
    La Tierra será paraíso
    libre de la Humanidad.
    Agrupémonos todos
    a la lucha social
    Con la FAI lograremos
    el éxito final
    Agrupémonos todos
    a la lucha social
    Con la FAI lograremos
    el éxito final.

    Brazilian Portuguese lyrics

    There are no accurate records about when the hymn became known in Brazil. It is known, however, that the music was extensively used during the 1917 Greve Geral (General Strike), carried on by anarcho-syndicalists in São Paulo. It is also known that it was the Portuguese, Spanish and Italian immigrants who introduced the song in Brazil at some point, which is confirmed by the lyrics in Brazilian Portuguese being very close to the lyrics in European Portuguese, as conceived by Neno Vasco. Both lyrics contain anti-militaristic verses, a fact attributed to the constant participation of the military in both countries' political processes.
    A Internacional De pé ó vítimas da fome
    De pé famélicos da terra
    Da idéia a chama já consome
    A crosta bruta que a soterra
    Cortai o mal bem pelo fundo
    De pé, de pé, não mais senhores
    Se nada somos em tal mundo
    Sejamos tudo ó produtores. » Refrão:



       Bem unidos façamos
    » Nesta luta final



       Uma terra sem amos
    » A Internacional


    Senhores patrões chefes supremos
    Nada esperamos de nenhum
    Sejamos nós que conquistemos
    A terra mãe livre comum
    Para não ter protestos vãos
    Para sair deste antro estreito
    Façamos com nossas mãos
    Tudo o que a nós nos diz respeito.
    » Refrão

    O crime do rico a lei o cobre
    O Estado esmaga o oprimido
    Não há direito para o pobre
    Ao rico tudo é permitido.
    À opressão não mais sujeitos
    Somos iguais todos os seres
    Não mais deveres sem direitos
    Não mais direitos sem deveres
    » Refrão

    Abomináveis na grandeza
    Os reis da mina e da fornalha
    Edificaram a riqueza
    Sobre o suor de quem trabalha.
    Todo o produto de quem sua
    A corja rica o recolheu
    Querendo que ele o restitua
    O povo quer só o que é seu.
    » Refrão

    Nós fomos de fumo embriagados
    Paz entre nós guerra aos senhores
    Façamos greve de soldados
    Somos irmãos trabalhadores.
    Se a raça vil cheia de galas
    Nos quer à força canibais
    Logo verá que nossas balas
    São para os nossos generais
    » Refrão

    Pois somos do povo os ativos
    Trabalhador forte e fecundo
    Pertence a terra aos produtivos
    Ó parasita deixa o mundo.
    Ó parasita que te nutres
    Do nosso sangue a gotejar
    Se nos faltarem os abutres
    Não deixa o sol de fulgurar
    » Refrão

    Vietnamese lyrics

    The lyrics used during the Vietnamese War by followers of Ho Chi Minh and still used to this day.
       "Quốc tế ca"
       Vùng lên hỡi các nô lệ ở thế gian!
    Vùng lên hỡi ai cơ khổ bần hàn!
    Sục sôi nhiệt huyết trong tim đầy chứa rồi.
    Quyết phen này sống chết mà thôi.
    Chế độ xưa ta mau phá sạch tan tành
    Toàn nô lệ vùng đứng lên đi.
    Nay mai cuộc đời của toàn dân khác xưa
    Bao nhiêu lợi quyền tất qua tay mình.
    Đấu tranh này là trận cuối cùng
    Kết đoàn lại để ngày mai
    L'Anh-te(rơ)-na-xi-o-na-lơ
    Sẽ là xã hội tương lai.
    Đấu tranh này là trận cuối cùng
    Kết đoàn lại để ngày mai
    L'Anh-te(rơ)-na-xi-o-na-lơ
    Sẽ là xã hội tương lai.

    Greek Lyrics

    The Internationale (Η Διεθνής - I Diethnis) is sung in Greek in two stanzas and has been widely used by communist, socialist and anarchic groups. In the recent years it has been predominantly been used in the rallies and party events of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
       Εμπρός της γης οι κολασμένοι Της πείνας σκλάβοι εμπρός – εμπρός Το δίκιο απ’ τον κρατήρα βγαίνει Σα βροντή σαν κεραυνός
       Φτάνουν πια της σκλαβιάς τα χρόνια Όλοι εμείς οι ταπεινοί της γης Που ζούσαμε στην καταφρόνια Θα γίνουμε το παν εμείς. Στον Αγώνα Ενωμένοι Κι ας μη λείψει κανείς Ω! Νάτη, μας προσμένει Στον κόσμο η Διεθνής.
       Θεοί, αρχόντοι, βασιλιάδες Με πλάνα λόγια μας γελούν Της γης οι δούλοι κι οι ραγιάδες Μοναχοί τους, θα σωθούν…
       Για να λείψουν τα δεσμά μας Για να πάψει πια η σκλαβιά Να νιώσουν πρέπει τη γροθιά μας Και της ψυχής μας τη φωτιά
       Στον Αγώνα Ενωμένοι Κι ας μη λείψει κανείς Ω! Νάτη, μας προσμένει Στον κόσμο η Διεθνής.
       Latin transliteration:
    Embros tis gis oi kolasmenoi tis peinas sklavoi embros, embros to dikio ap' ton kratira vganei san vronti, san keravnos.
       Ftanoun pia tis sklavias ta xronia, oloi emeis oi tapeinoi tis gis poy zousame stin katafronia tha ginoume to pan emeis.
       Ston agona enomenoi ki as mi leipsei kaneis O, na ti mas prosmenei ston kosmo i Diethnis
       Theoi, arhontoi, vasiliades me plana logia mas geloun. Tis gis oi douloi ki oi ragiades monahoi tous tha sothoun.
       Gia na leipsoun ta desma mas, gia na papsei pia i sklavia na niosoun prepei ti grothia mas kai tis psihis mas ti fotia
       Ston agona enomenoi ki as mi leipsei kaneis O, na ti mas prosmenei ston kosmo i Diethnis
       English translation:
    Forward, wretched of the earth slaves of hunger forward, forward. Our right is coming out of the crater like thunder, like a storm
       Enough with the years of slavery for all us wretched of the earth, we were living in discord we will become everything.
       To the struggle, united let none be away behold, she's awaiting for us throughout the world, the International.
       Gods, lords, kings with lies they make fun of us the slaves and pariahs of the earth will be saved by their own selves.
       To make our bonds disappear, to finally end our slavery, our fist they must feel and our soul's fire.
       To the struggle, united let none be away behold, she's awaiting for us throughout the world, the International.

    Turkish lyrics

    Grup Yorum adapted and covered "L'Internationale" as "Enternasyonal (ɛntɛʀnasjɔnal)" to Turkish in 2001. Turkish Lyrics » Uyan artık uykudan uyan


       Uyan esirler dünyası » Zulme karşı hıncımız volkan


       Bu ölüm-dirim kavgası » Yıkalım bu köhne düzeni


       Biz başka alem isteriz » Bizi hiçe sayanlar bilsin


       Bundan sonra herşey biziz. » :Bu kavga en sonuncu


       :Kavgamızdır artık » :Enternasyonal'le


       :Kurtulur insanlık » :Bu kavga en sonuncu


       :Kavgamızdır artık » :Enternasyonal'le


       :Kurtulur insanlık » Tanrı, patron, bey, ağa, sultan


       Nasıl bizleri kurtarır » Bizleri kurtaracak olan


       Kendi kollarımızdır » İsyan ateşini körükle


       Zulmü rüzgarlara savur » Kollarının bütün gücüyle


       Tavı gelen demire vur » :Bu kavga en sonuncu


       :Kavgamızdır artık » :Enternasyonal'le


       :Kurtulur insanlık ::Bu kavga en sonuncu » :Kavgamızdır artık


       :Enternasyonal'le » :Kurtulur insanlık

    » Hem fabrikalar, hem de toprak


       Her şey emekçinin malı » Tufeyliye tanımayız hak


       Her şey emeğin olmalı » Cellatların döktüğü kan


       Bir gün onları boğacak » Bu kan denizinin ufkundan


       Kızıl bir güneş doğacak » :Bu kavga en sonuncu


       :Kavgamızdır artık » :Enternasyonal'le


       :Kurtulur insanlık » :Bu kavga en sonuncu


       :Kavgamızdır artık » :Enternasyonal'le


       :Kurtulur insanlık English Translation » Wake up now, from your sleeping


       Wake up, the world of the slaves » Our revenge is a volcano to this oppression


       This fight is the fight for being dead or alive » Let us destroy this outdated regime


       We want another universe » Someone who don't care about us should learn that:


       Everything is us now. » :Now this fight is


       :The final fight of us » :Humanity will be saved


       :With International » :Now this fight is


       :The final fight of us » :Humanity will be saved


       :With International » God, boss, bey, agha, sultan


       Shall not save us » What going to save us


       That is our arms » Brilliant the fire of rebelling


       Throw out the oppression to wind » Throw strongly as you can


       Conditions are ready now for to blow » :Now this fight is


       :The final fight of us » :Humanity will be saved


       :With International » :Now this fight is


       :The final fight of us » :Humanity will be saved


       :With International » The factories, the lands


       Everything shall be owned by labors » We won't show mercy to any armed person


       Everything should be of labors » The blood that Executioners' bleeded


       Shall joint themselves someday » Than from the horizon of this blood-sea


       A red sun shall arise » :Now this fight is


       :The final fight of us » :Humanity will be saved


       :With International » :Now this fight is


       :The final fight of us » :Humanity will be saved


       :With International

    Filipino Lyrics

    Pandaigdigang awit ng manggagawa

    The original Internationale was created by Juan Feleo of then Partido komunista ng Pilipinas, it was based on The American version of that saidth song. Instead of "internationale", it was then literally called "Pandaigdigang awit ng Manggagawa". PANDAIGDIGANG AWIT NG MANGGAGAWA
    Bangon sa Pagkakagupiling
    Bangon Kauring Alipin
    Sa Daigdig ating pilitin
    Komunismo’y tanghalin
    Halina At ating Usigin
    Bayan nating Sinisiil
    Buhay Dugo ay puhunanin
    Tanikala ay lagutin
    Koro
    Ito’y Huling Paglalaban
    Tunay Na Kalayaan
    Ng Manggagawa
    Sa buong Daigidigan
    Wala tayong maasahang
    Lingap sa mga gahaman
    Kaya’t tayon’y magbagong buhay
    Hirap nati’y lunasan
    Manggagawa Wag mong tulutang
    Apihin ka habang buhay
    Hanapin mo ang kalayaan
    Panlulupig ay wakasan
    Koro
    The original hymn then continued to be used by the leftist movement, especially during the first quarter storm and in the Diliman Commune. However, the word "komunismo" was replaced with "Sosyalismo" or "Demokrasya".

    CPP-NPA version

    The CPP-NPA version is composed of 2 versions, the original and the current. Both of them are inspired from the Chinese version of the hymn. INTERNASYONAL Bangon, sa pagkakabusabos
    Bangon, alipin ng gutom!
    Katarunga'y bulkang sasabog
    Sa huling paghuhukom.
    Gapos ng kahapo'y lagutin.
    Tayong api ay magbalikwas!
    Tayo ngayo'y inaalipin,
    Subalit atin ang bukas.
    Koro:
    Ito'y huling paglalaban
    Magkaisa't nang masaklaw
    Ng Internasyonal
    Ang buong daigdigan.
    Walang ibang maasahang
    Bathala o manunubos,
    Kaya ang ating kaligtasa'y
    Nasa ating pagkilos.
    Manggagawa, bawiin ang yaman
    Kaisipa'y palayain.
    Ang maso ay ating hawakan
    Kinabukasa'y pandayin.
    koro
    Then, these words were edited, replacing "Ang buong daigdigan" with "ang sangkatauhan" by cultural group of the communist party of the Philippines in the early 1980s. Lately, the leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines, Jose Maria Sison, also a poet, translated into Tagalog the third stanza of the internationale from the Chinese and Russian lyrics, as well as replacing some words sung. thus, the current hymn is now being sung by the movement. INTERNASYUNAL
    (the current version)
    Bangon sa pagkakabusabos
    Bangon mga bihag ng gutom
    Katwiran ay bulkang sasabog
    Buong lakas na magdadagundong
    Gapos ng kahapo'y lagutin
    Tayong api ay magbalikwas
    Tayo ngayo'y inaalipin
    Subalit atin ang bukas
    Koro:
    Ito'y huling paglalaban
    Magkaisa nang masaklaw
    Ng Internasyunal‚
    ang sangkatauhan
    Wala tayong maaasahan
    Bathala o manunubos
    Kaya't ang ating kaligtasa'y
    Nasa ating pagkilos
    Manggagawa bawiin ang yaman
    Kaisipa'y palayain
    Ang maso ay ating tanganan
    Kinabukasa'y pandayin
    (Balik koro 2x)

       Manggagawa at magsasaka
    Ating Partido'y dakila
    Palayasin ang mga gahaman
    Sa anakpawis ang daigdigan
    Wakasan pagsasamantala
    Ng mga bwitre at uwak
    Sa umagang sila'y maglaho
    Mapulang araw sisikat
    (Balik koro 2x)

    Chinese lyrics

    The Internationale in Chinese is literally the International Song. It has several different sets of lyrics.

    Indian versions

    In Kerala State of India the song was translated in the 1950s by the legendary actor and social activist Premji for the united Communist Party of India. In the 1980s, more translations appeared, done by Sachidanandan, Mokeri Ramachandran and an unknown translator. The first two were sung by the activists of Janakeeya Samskarikavedi, an organisation connected with CPI(ML), and the third one was for the activists of Students Federation of India or SFI, the student organisation associated with CPI(M).

    Instrumental recordings


    Further Information

    Get more info on 'The Internationale'.


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