Realizing that it is our weakness
That enables you to pass your laws
We resolve in future to abandon meekness
And the law hereon will justify our cause
Realizing that you hold us captive
With loaded pistols at our heads
We resolve in future not to fear your torture
Slavery is worse than death
Realizing that you keep us hungry
So that you yourselves have all the more
We resolve that all that keeps us from the pantry
Can be overcome by breaking down the door
Realizing that you hold us captive
With loaded pistols at our heads
We resolve in future not to fear your torture
Slavery is worse than death
Realizing that you keep us homeless
While around us houses stand unused
We have now resolved to put an end to trespass
From now on every worker shall be housed
Realizing that you hold us captive
With loaded pistols at our heads
We resolve in future not to fear your torture
Slavery is worse than death
Realizing that we won’t persuade you
Into paying us a living wage
We resolve that we will take the factories from you
Realizing that your loss will be our gain
Realizing that you hold us captive
With loaded pistols at our heads
We resolve in future not to fear your torture
Slavery is worse than death
Realizing that we can’t depend on
All the promises our rulers make
We’ve resolved for us the Good Life starts with freedom
Our future must be built by our dictate
Realising that the roar of cannons
Are the only words that speak to you
We must prove to you that we have learned our lesson
In future we will turn the guns on you
(Taken from English translation of Brecht’s play ‘The Days of the Commune’, translated by Clive Barker and Arno Reinfrank’)
