Red

[hpst@earthlink.net]

I was at the Ted Strickland for Governor office last night. He is running
on the Democratic ticket for governor of Ohio.

I was startled to see on the wall a sign which read Ted Not Red.

I learned that the reference was to red states not to us old reds, pinkos,
commies, liberals, etc. or whatever we are called these days, but I did
suggest that they take the sign down because there are a lot of us who
having been called reds for most of our lives might take offense and think
that it meant that Ted is distancing himself from us.

My guess is that the current epithet for anyone to the left of Genghis Khan
is liberal.

This song is apparently out of date.

The Worker's Flag

James O'Connell, 1899

The worker's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead;
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their life-blood dyed its every fold.

Chorus:
Then raise the scarlet standard high!
Beneath its folds we'll live and die.
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here.

2. Look 'round, the Frenchman loves its blaze,
The sturdy German chants its praise,
In Moscow's vaults its hymns are sung
Chicago swells the surging throng.

Chorus:

 3. It waved above our infant might
When all ahead seemed dark as night.
It witnessed many a deed and vow,
We will not change its color now.

Chorus:

4. It suits today the meek and base,
Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place,
To cringe beneath the rich man's frown,
And haul that sacred emblem down.

Chorus:

5. With heads uncovered swear we all
To bear it onward till we fall;
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim,
This song shall be our parting hymn.

Chorus:

Page Stephens

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