When I was a lad in nineteen six
I joined a band of Bolsheviks
I read the Manifesto and the Kapital
And I even learned to sing the Internationale
I sang that song in a voice so true
That now I'm in the prisons of the GPU
When Lenin's boys insurrection made
I found myself on a barricade
At Kerensky's troops I aimed my gun
And I never stopped shooting 'till the Reds had won.
I shot that gun with an aim so true etc.
When NEP was started and Lenin died
I found myself on Trotsky's side
Well, all went well 'till twenty-eight
And then I was forced to capitulate.
Well, my capitulation had a ring so true, etc.
Now, since that time I've had no peace
My steps have been dogged by the Secret Police.
I denounced the traitors, time and again
I denounced the traitors with tongue and pen.
And my denunciations had a ring so true, etc.
Now revisionists all, wherever you may be
If you want to be a success, like me ---
Confess to terrorism and espionage
To Counterrevolution and sabotage.
Adhere to the line of Lenin, too
And you'll wind up in the prisons of the GPU.
from Glazer Ballads for Sectarians