TO OUR COMRADES OF THE PARIS COMMUNE 1871 by Gerald O'Conel Desmond April 8, 1909

TO OUR COMRADES OF THE PARIS COMMUNE 1871

By Gerald O'Conel Desmond

Note:—The Paris Commune of 1871 is generally considered to mark a most important event—the first proletarian rebellion of modern times. It was recently celebrated by socialists all the world over.

The spirit of freedom spoke to France

    in eighteen seventy-one

“This is the time when a blow must be

    struck and a mighty deed be done;

This is the time for the sword to be drawn

    and a bold defiance hurled,

This is the time for the men of France

    to waken the sleeping world”!

They heard, and the bells of Paris rang

    out their wild alarms,

All through the giant city the people

    sprang to arms,

Grim, unyielding, determined, militant,

    and strong,

Grasping the sword of freedom, chanting

    her battle song.

Tyranny mustered its forces, rushed to

    the fierce attack

Bravely they struck and struggled,

    pressing the despots back,

Never a word of surrender, or a sign of

    fear displayed.

Till at last, men and women, together

    they died at the barricade.

What tho’ they died? The world has

    seen the hearts of the peoples stirred

All thro’ the wakened nations went out

    the rallying word;

And the spirit of freedom shouted above

    the Commune’s slain,

“Ye died for me, my children. Think

    not ye died in vain.”

This is nineteen hundred and nine, the

    swift years roll along,

Louder today than ever rises the rebel

    song,

Faster the people gather; comrades,

    the day comes soon—

The day of the consummation, the day

    of the great commune.

But theirs be the place of glory, theirs

    be the place of pride,

The first who dared the conflict, the

    first who bravely died,

Hail to them, Heroes, heroines; honor

    each glorious name,

Defeated, yet still victorious; crowned

    with immortal fame.