23rd July 1995

Tony Blair PC MP,
Leader of the Opposition,
House of Commons.

      Dear Tony,

      I expect that, as leader of the Labour Party, people are always coming up to you and saying "I've written this song....."

     Well, I'm no exception.

     Do you know "The Red Flag"? The song traditionally sung at the end of Party Conferences, but which most people don't seem to know the words to?

     It sounds like an English translation of a French original: the first verse starts off as a post-mortem report, and ends by giving special recognition to cowards and traitors.

     Not exactly the sort of thing I'd want to sing if I ever had to man the barricades and I wanted to keep my spirits up.

     So I've written a new version, with four verses, all equally singable, and ending on a stirring high.

     I sent it to Ken Livingstone many years ago, when he was GLC leader, and he replied that he liked it, and that he had sent it to Party headquarters: but they wrote back that they didn't think there was any need for new words at the moment.

     But, with a new outlook, and even new words to Clause Four, perhaps the time has now come?

     See over page.....

THE RED FLAG

The people's flag is deepest red
Reminding us of martyrs dead
Of blood shed for that greatest cause
The people's rights, the people's laws
So raise it high! it shows with pride
That free they fought and free they died
And free we'll live and have no fear
While our red flag keeps flying here!

The people's flag is red in hue
Like hearts that beat with love that's true
As life goes by it flies above
O'er hope o'er joy o'er peace o'er love
So raise it high! to show we find
In joy of heart and peace of mind
That love of freedoms held most dear
While our red flag keeps flying here!

The people's flag is old and worn
It flew when freedom first was born
It flies wherever freedom's known
It has no home it calls its own
So raise it high! to show we care
To show we wish to keep it where
Our freedoms will not disappear
While our red flag keeps flying here!

The people's flag is rough and plain
It flies in sun in wind in rain
Impressive it's not meant to be
It just proclaims that we are free
So raise it high! though it be frayed
It matters not how it was made
They made it plain - we'll make it clear
We'll keep the red flag flying here!

Yours sincerely,

 Barry Press.

P.S. In case you're thinking of emigrating and becoming leader of the Australian Labour Party, I have also written a new Australian National Anthem that you might like to take with you .....