Linker Marsch [English translation]

Unfurl your march, boys from the ships!1

And end to the bickering and hesitating.

Shut up, speakers! You have the word,

Talk, comrade Mauser!2

Break the law from Adam's times.

Horse3 history, you're limping...

We want to ride the flayer to the breaking point.4

Left!

Left!

Left!

Bluejackets5, hey! When do you attack?

Do you fear ocean storms?

While your ship6 was in the harbour

Did your turrets rust?

Let the British Lion roar -

A Sphinx which bares its missing teeth.

Nobody forces the Commune to their will.

Left!

Left!

Left!

There, beyond dark and heavy mountains

Lies fallow the land of the sun.

Across the poverty and slums

Pound your millions of footsteps!

If the hired gang threatens

With steel surge all around, -

Russia, in spite of the Entente

Left!

Left!

Left!

The sea-eagle's eye should miss?

The old should blind us?

Forcefully grab the world by the throat,

With Proletarian hands!

How you bravely soar into battle!

The sky shall be elated with flags!

Hey, who steps to the right there?

Left!

Left!

Left!

1. The German revolution was spearheaded by sailors from Kiel.2. Meant is the Mauser rifle.3. "Gaul" is a pejorative term typically used for old and/or bad horses4. "Schinder" means both a flayer who flays horses and an oppressive boss at work ("Leuteschinder").5. Refers to sailors.6. "Kahn" is pejorative for an old, shabby ship.

• Artist:Ernst Busch