Despair

By firing squad, Comrade Lisova, your son's life is ended

But he did not die alone or unattended

For the very stone and mortar before which he was killed

Were fashioned by his comrades' sweat and by their skills

And the very bullets flying to his heart to strike him lifeless

Were the product of his fellow workers' skill, as were the rifles

So though in body they may not view his extermination

Yet still for him were present they in their creation

But it was men just like him who were leading him out to the wall

Though he understood, he couldn't see why at all

Bound he was in chains who forged the iron

And who but his fellows dug the grave for him to lie in

Nor strangers they who held the guns, but workers just like us

And so I know someday they will stand beside us

But it was men just like him who were leading him out to the wall

Though he understood, he couldn't see why at all

And he saw the factories packed together

They rose across the world stretching on forever

Chimney upon chimney and day was dawning

For they take them all out as a rule first thing in the morning

And although devoid of life these factories seeming

Only he could see the light there was gleaming

The cultivation of the seeds and the germination

Of the mighty army that is spread across the nation

But it was men just like him who were leading him out to the wall

Though he understood, he couldn't see why at all

It was men just like him who were leading him out to the wall

Though he understood, he couldn't see why

Come weep with me all you that read this little story

Love for whom a tear you shed, death's self is sorry

Come weep with me all you that read this little story

Love for whom a tear you shed, death's self is sorry

A child it was that so did thrive in grace and feature

For heaven and nature seemed to strive which owned the creature

Yet he'd had but scarce thirteen when fate turned cruel

Yet free from so the axe had he been the stage's jewel

And in act what now we mourn all men so duly