Bertolt Brecht — Resolution of the Communards

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