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.
Note: Dick Eney has pointed out that the Russian pronunciation of the acronym GPU--- Gay Pay Oo---may not be clear to non-Russians.
from Glazer Ballads for Sectarians @Russian @rebel tune of Gilbert and Sullivan "When I was a Lad" filename[ GAYPAYU RG
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