Vladimir Putin: In Love with Songs

There are days when I miss the old words

the old songs from my youth

when we showed the West what

Russia could do in space

with our huge land

with the strength of our resolve

Even now I often start my day

with singing the old Soviet Anthem

and The Internationale

They're better than any old western anthem

and that horror The Star Spangled Banner

It's all about war and bombs bursting

and it can't be sung because of its range

If only I could get the West to hear the words

and hum the melodies I whistle on the way

to meetings with my subordinates

and a few ordinary citizens 

          Arise ye workers from your slumbers

            Arise ye prisoners of want
            For reason in revolt now thunders
           And at last ends the age of cant.
           Away with all your superstitions
           Servile masses arise, arise
           We’ll change henceforth the old tradition
           And spurn the dust to win the prize.

           Refrain: 
           So comrades, come rally
           And the last fight let us face
           The Internationale unites the human race.

I remember all that leather and polish

as we knocked on the doors of the fallen

those who failed to get the message

who turned against our Mother

The State! The State!

We cry for you Mother

so fun to see our enemies faces explode

on the floor and their knelt in their shame

           United forever in friendship and labor,

           Our mighty republics will ever endure.
           The Great Soviet Union will live through the ages.
           The dream of a people their fortress secure.

Long live our Soviet motherland,           Built by the people's mighty hand.           Long live our people, united and free.           Strong in our friendship tried by fire.           Long may our crimson flag inspire,           Shining in glory for all men to see.

Oh yes

my anthems soar for me as I think of my people

and their hopes and desires

Screw Marx and Lenin

I love my limousines and all the goodies

I get to own

but the songs

the songs of my youth and spirit

they are all about the power of people

the will of people to mold

their unified futures

together in search of a perfect world

where all get a small share

and I get most of it

Barry G. Wick