When the Leaves Come Out/Preparedness
PREPAREDNESS
For freedom die? But we were never free
Save but to drudge and starve, or strike and feel
The bite of bullets and the thrust of steel.
For freedom die! While we have eyes to see
How children writhe beneath thy crushing heel
And mothers shudder at the thought of thee!
For freedom die . . . ?
Defend the flag? Beneath whose reeking fold
The gunmen of our masters always came
To burn and rape and murder in thy name!
Defend a flag to profit gluttons sold—
Trade smirched until it is a thing of shame—
The bartered paramour of Greed and Gold—
Defend the flag . . . ?
Protect our land? We who are dispossessed,
And own not space to sleep in when we die!
"Our" land is held by haughty thieves on high—
The brood of vipers sheltered at thy breast.
Our "liberty" is but a loathsome lie;
We have no homes nor any place to rest—
Protect our land . . . ?
Resist the foe? We shall! From sea to sea
The vile invaders' battle line is thrown;
This is the workers' war and this alone,
To battle with the Thieves of Industry
Whose wealth is red with mangled flesh and bone.
Resist the foe? Ah, crush him utterly—
Resist the foe . . . !!!