Page:Songs of the workers 9th Edition.pdf/10

  Arise, ye prisoners of starvation!
 * Arise, ye wretched of the earth,

For justice thunders condemnation,
 * A better world's in birth.

No more tradition's chains shall bind us,
 * Arise, ye slaves; no more in thrall!

The earth shall rise on new foundations,
 * We have been naught, we shall be all.


 * 'Tis the final conflict.
 * Let each stand in his place,
 * The Industrial Union
 * Shall be the human race.

We want no condescending saviors,
 * To rule us from a 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.

The law oppresses us and tricks us,
 * Wage systems drain our blood;

The rich are free from obligations,
 * 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."

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?

