The Internationale

"The Internationale" (French: L'Internationale, French pronunciation: ​[lɛ̃.'tɛʀ.nas.jɔ.'nal(ə)]; German: Die Internationale, Russian: Интернационал, Internatsional, Chinese: 國際歌, Guójìgē) is a very well known communist, socialist, and social democratic/socialist song. While it was originally written in French, it was translated into many other languages, including English. The most famous versions, however, are those in Russian and Chinese.

The Internationale

L'Internationale in original French version.
International anthem of International Communist Movement, International Socialist Movement, International Anarchist Movement, International Democratic Socialist Movement, International Social Democratic Movement
Also known as	L'Internationale (French)
Lyrics	Eugène Pottier, 1871
Music	Pierre De Geyter, 1888
Adopted	1890s
Audio sample
"The Internationale" (instrumental) file help

The French words, written by Eugene Pottier, were originally supposed to be sung to the tune of "La Marseillaise", but a separate tune was created for it by a Belgian named Pierre Degeyter.

The Russian version, written by Arkady Yakolevich Kots (Аркадий Яковлевич Коц) in 1902, was adopted as the national anthem of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (Russian SFSR) in 1918 and as that of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (the Soviet Union) in 1922. It stayed like this until 1944, when it was replaced by the State Anthem of the Soviet Union written by Alexander Alexandrov.

The Chinese lyrics were written by Qu Qiubai (瞿秋白).

The song is known by its tune, and its chorus, which in French begins with "C'est la lutte finale" (meaning "It's the final battle").

Original French lyrics

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	Arise, mistreated ones of the earth, Arise, hungry people! Reason rumbles in its volcano, It is the eruption of the end! Let's forget the past, Crowds of slaves, stand up! stand up! The entire world is going to change: We were nothing, let's become everything! This is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be for mankind!
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 rulers or heroes, Neither God, nor Caesar, nor tribune. Producers, let's save ourselves! Let's declare a common defense So that the thief returns his stolen loot, So that our spirits are freed Let us blow upon our furnace ourselves, Strike the iron while it is hot! This is the final struggle Let us group together, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be for mankind!
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 tries to stop us and the law cheats, The taxes bleed the unfortunate The rich pay no taxes. The 'rights of the poor' is a hollow phrase Enough of being oppressed! Equality needs protection by law! They say 'No rights without duty,' Equally, we say 'no duties without rights.' This is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be for mankind!
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	Ugly, in their self-worship, The kings of the mines and rails. They have never done anything else, But steal others' work. In the safes of this group What we created is melted together! In decreeing that they give it back The people want nothing but their due. This is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be for mankind!
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 poison us with authority Peace among ourselves, war to the tyrants! Let us stop working in the armies, Guns in the air, break their ranks! If they insist, those cannibals, On making heroes of us, They will soon know that our bullets, Are for our own generals. This is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be for mankind!
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 and peasants, we are The great party of workers. The earth belongs only to humans! The idle will live elsewhere! How much they feast on our flesh But if the ravens and vultures Disappear one of these days The sun will shine forever This is the final struggle Let us gather, and tomorrow The Internationale Will be for mankind!

Russian lyrics

Russian translation	Roman transliteration	Literal 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 разрушим 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 zakleymyonnyy Vyes' mir golodnykh i rabov Kipit nash razum vozmushchyonniy I v smyertnyy boy vyesti gotov. Ves' mir nasil'ya my razrushim Do osnovan'ya, a zatyem My nash my novyy mir postroyim, Kto byl nichyem, tot stanet vsyem! Pripjev:  |: Eto yest' nash poslyedniy   I reshityel'nyy boy.   S Internatsionalom   Vospryanet rod lyudskoy. :|	Arise, the branded with a curse The world of slaves and hungry peoples Our indignant mind boils, Ready to lead a fight to death. We will destroy the world of violence to its foundations, and then we shall build a new world. Those that were nothing shall become everything! CHORUS:  |: This is our final    and decisive battle.    With the Internationale    the human race will raise. :|
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 nye dast nam izbavlyen'ya Ni bog, ni tsar' i ni geroy Dob'yomsya my osvobozhden'ya Svoyeyu sobstvennoy rukoy. Chtob svyergnut' gnet rukoy umyeloy, Otvoyevat' svoyo dobro – Vzduvayte gorn i kuytye smyelo, Poka zhelezo goryacho!  |: Eto yest' nash poslyedniy   I reshityel'nyy boy.   S Internatsionalom   Vospryanet rod lyudskoy. :|	Nobody will send us deliverance. Neither God, nor Tsar, nor a hero. We shall get liberty with our own hands. To overthrow oppression, skilled hands take back all that is good – Blow up the furnace and strike boldly while the iron is hot!  |: This is our final    and decisive battle.    With the Internationale    the human race will raise. :|
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 vsyemirnoy Velikoy armii truda, Vladyet' zemley imyeyem pravo, No parazity – nikogda! I yesli grom vyelikiy gryanyet Nad svoroy psov i palachyey, – Dlya nas vsë tak zhye solnitsye stanyet Siyat' ognyom svoikh lushyey.  |: Eto yest' nash poslyedniy   I reshityel'nyy boy.   S Internatsionalom   Vospryanet rod lyudskoy. :|	Just us, all workers of the international Great army of the labourers, We have the right to own the land, But parasites, never! And if great thunder bursts Over its dogs and hangmen, For all of us the sun still shines To glow with the fire of its rays.  |: This is our final    and decisive battle.    With the Internationale    the human race will raise. :|

Chinese lyrics

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese	Pinyin	Literal English translation
First stanza
起來，饑寒交迫的奴隸， 起來，全世界受苦的人！ 滿腔的熱血已經沸騰， 要為真理而鬥爭！ 舊世界打個落花流水， 奴隸們起來起來！ 不要說我們一無所有， 我們要做天下的主人！ 這是最後的鬥爭， 團結起來到明天， 英特納雄耐爾 就一定要實現。	起来，饥寒交迫的奴隶， 起来，全世界受苦的人！ 满腔的热血已经沸腾， 要为真理而斗争！ 旧世界打个落花流水， 奴隶们起来起来！ 不要说我们一无所有， 我们要做天下的主人！ 这是最后的斗争， 团结起来到明天， 英特纳雄耐尔 就一定要实现。
Second stanza
從來就沒有什麼救世主， 也不靠神仙皇帝。 要創造人類的幸福， 全靠我們自己！ 我們要奪回勞動果實， 讓思想衝破牢籠。 快把那爐火燒得通紅， 趁熱打鐵才能成功！ 這是最後的鬥爭， 團結起來到明天， 英特納雄耐爾 就一定要實現。	从来就没有什么救世主， 也不靠神仙皇帝。 要创造人类的幸福， 全靠我们自己！ 我们要夺回劳动果实， 让思想冲破牢笼。 快把那炉火烧得通红， 趁热打铁才能成功！  这是最后的斗争，   团结起来到明天，   英特纳雄耐尔   就一定要实现。
Third stanza
壓迫的國家、空洞的法律， 苛捐雜稅榨窮苦； 富人無務獨逍遙。 窮人的權利只是空話， 受夠了護佑下的沉淪。 平等需要新的法律， 沒有無義務的權利， 平等！也沒有無權利的義務！  |: 這是最後的鬥爭，   團結起來到明天，   英特納雄耐爾   就一定要實現。 :|	压迫的国家、空洞的法律， 苛捐杂税榨穷苦； 富人无务独逍遥。 穷人的权利只是空话， 受够了护佑下的沉沦。 平等需要新的法律， 没有无义务的权利， 平等！也没有无权利的义务！ 这是最后的斗争， 团结起来到明天， 英特纳雄耐尔 就一定要实现。
Forth stanza
礦井和鐵路的帝王， 在神壇上奇醜無比。 他們除了勞動， 還搶奪過什麼呢？ 在他們的保險箱裡， 勞動的創造一無所有！ 從剝削者的手裡， 他們只是討回血債。  |: 這是最後的鬥爭，   團結起來到明天，   英特納雄耐爾   就一定要實現。 :|	矿井和铁路的帝王， 在神坛上奇丑无比。 他们除了劳动， 还抢夺过什么呢？ 在他们的保险箱里， 劳动的创造一无所有！ 从剥削者的手里， 他们只是讨回血债。  |: 这是最后的斗争，   团结起来到明天，   英特纳雄耐尔   就一定要实现。
Fifth stanza
國王用煙霧來迷惑我們， 我們要聯合向暴君開戰。 讓戰士們在軍隊里罷工， 停止鎮壓，離開暴力機器。 如果他們堅持護衛敵人， 讓我們英勇犧牲； 他們將會知道我們的子彈， 會射向我們自己的將軍。  |: 這是最後的鬥爭，   團結起來到明天，   英特納雄耐爾   就一定要實現。 :|	国王用烟雾来迷惑我们， 我们要联合向暴君开战。 让战士们在军队里罢工， 停止镇压，离开暴力机器。 如果他们坚持护卫敌人， 让我们英勇牺牲； 他们将会知道我们的子弹， 会射向我们自己的将军。  |: 这是最后的斗争，   团结起来到明天，   英特纳雄耐尔   就一定要实现。 :|
Sixth stanza
是誰創造了人類世界？ 是我們勞動群眾。 一切歸勞動者所有， 哪能容得寄生蟲！ 最可恨那些毒蛇猛獸， 吃盡了我們的血肉。 一旦把他們消滅乾淨， 鮮紅的太陽照遍全球！  |: 這是最後的鬥爭，   團結起來到明天，   英特納雄耐爾   就一定要實現。 :|	是谁创造了人类世界？ 是我们劳动群众。 一切归劳动者所有， 哪能容得寄生虫！ 最可恨那些毒蛇猛兽， 吃尽了我们的血肉。 一旦把他们消灭干净， 鲜红的太阳照遍全球！  |: 这是最后的斗争，   团结起来到明天，   英特纳雄耐尔   就一定要实现。 :|

Performance

The song has been translated into over 100 languages, making it one of the most translated songs of all time. The song and its translations have been adopted and sung by communists all around the world. In communist countries, it is often sung not just in political party meetings, but also in official gatherings, schools, protests and many other situations.^[1][2][3][4]

References

1. "Chinese protesters sing anthem the Internationale". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 June 2019.
2. "The Internationale ；Children choir in chinese". YouTube.
3. "North Korea : President Kim Il Sung Attends 30Th Anniversary Celebrations of Workers' Party".
4. "Singing 'The Internationale' on May Day in Cuba?". 27 April 2012.

Other websites

• Downloadable recordings in more than 30 languages Archived 2012-02-29 at the Wayback Machine
• (in Russian) Another large collection