Voices From Beyond Highgate Cemetery

Today is May Day, the day of ancient pagan festival that was transformed through centuries of class struggle into International Workers' Day.

Today is the day when we celebrate the glorious social and economic achievements of the international labour movement.

"The people's flag is deepest red,
But I prefer this one instead
And ere John Smith turned stiff and cold,
Tony embraced its ev'ry fold.



Then raise the union standard high,
On our Town Hall 'twill proudly fly,
Though Tories flinch and LibDems sneer,
We'll keep the empire flying here.

Look round, the Frenchman loves its blaze,
The sturdy German chants its praise,
In the Middle East its time is done,
And so, instead, we fly this one.



It waved above our infant might
When all ahead seemed dark as night;
It's not as red as some might think
Now that we've changed its hue to pink.

It well recalls the triumphs past;
It gives the hope of peace at last:
As it flies above Iraqi skies,
Marking George's greed and Tony's lies.



It suits today the meek and base,
Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place,
To sing this song when they are pissed
And pretend to be a socialist.

With heads uncovered swear we all
(Straw having banned veils at the ball),
Come prisons dark or ASBOs grim,
This song's a long-forgotten hymn.



Then raise the union standard high,
On our Town Hall 'twill proudly fly,
Though Tories flinch and LibDems sneer,
We'll keep the empire flying here.

Not sure that I understand all the words, but it sounds very jolly and appropriate.