The Varshavyanka has a complicated history, starting off as a Polish patriotic song, but in its Russian version, which was used in the 1905 uprising, it rivals the Marseillaise in bloodthirstiness. The last stanza goes

Nam nenavistny tiranov korony, Tsepi naroda stradaltsa my chtim. Krov'yu narodnoy oblityye trony My krov'yu nashikh vragov ubagrim.

The crowns of the tyrants are hateful to us; The chains of the martyr people we revere. Thrones that are spattered with the people's blood, We will soak with the blood of our enemies.

The chorus climaxes with

Na boy krovavy, Svyatyy i pravy, Marsh, marsh, vperyod, Rabochiy narod!

On to the bloody battle, Holy and righteous, March, march forward, Working people!

--- Joe Fineman    joe_f@verizon.net

||: Frightened people tend to the kinds of stupidity that are helpful in being mean. :||