Billy Bragg – The Red Flag (Guitar)

Key
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Chords

[Verse 1]
    A             E7 A
The people's flag is deepest red

   Bm           E7  A
It shrouded oft our martyred dead

    A               E7   A
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold

      Bm                 E7 A
Their hearts' blood dyed to every fold
[Chorus]
     F#7                Bm
Then raise the scarlet standard high

        E7               A
Beneath it's folds we'll live and die

       A              E7  A
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer

      Bm           E7   A
We'll keep the red flag flying here
[Verse 2]
   A           E7  A
It waved above our infant might

     Bm               E7   A
When all ahead seemed dark as night

   A           E7 A
It witnessed many a deed and vow

   Bm              E7   A
We must not change it's colour now
[Chorus]
     F#7                Bm
Then raise the scarlet standard high

        E7               A
Beneath it's folds we'll live and die

       A              E7  A
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer

      Bm           E7   A
We'll keep the red flag flying here
[Verse 3]
   A            E7  A
It well recalls the triumphs past

   Bm             E7 A
It gives the hope of peace at last

    A              E7  A
The banner bright, the symbol plain

   Bm          E7  A
Of human right and human gain
[Chorus]
     F#7                Bm
Then raise the scarlet standard high

        E7               A
Beneath it's folds we'll live and die

       A              E7  A
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer

      Bm           E7   A
We'll keep the red flag flying here
[Verse 4]
   A           E7  A
It suits today the meek and base

      Bm              E7 A
Whose minds are fixed on pelf and place

   A              E7  A
To cringe beneath the rich man's frown

    Bm           E7  A
And haul that sacred emblem down
[Chorus]
     F#7                Bm
Then raise the scarlet standard high

        E7               A
Beneath it's folds we'll live and die

       A              E7  A
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer

      Bm           E7   A
We'll keep the red flag flying here
[Verse 5]
     A            E7 A
With heads uncovered swear we all

   Bm             E7   A
To bear it onward till we fall

     A             E7 A
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim

     Bm            E7  A
This song shall be our parting hymn
[Chorus]
     F#7                Bm
Then raise the scarlet standard high

        E7               A
Beneath it's folds we'll live and die

       A              E7  A
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer

      Bm           E7   A
We'll keep the red flag flying here