Vanguard - David Rovics

Worker’s World says that they have all the answers

And Milosevic is a guy that they admire

The ISO says Trotsky is the man

And they’ll debate it until they all expire

The industrial workers will lead the revolution

So claims the SWP

No, the truth lies among the lumpen;

That’s the RCP

The Sparts say the rest can go to hell

And everyone else is a Stalinist

The CP will just do their thing

And pretend the others don’t exist

Well I had a realization this morning

When I looked into the red and dawning sun

I’ve figured out the truth

And I’m forming a party of one

I am the leader of the workers

And I’ll tell you why the Left is suspect

Because there’s something you don’t understand

Only my line is correct

'Cause I am the vanguard of the masses

And all of you should just follow me

If you doubt my analysis

You must be in the petty bourgeoisie

But I am not sectarian

It’s all the rest who are

I work fine in coalitions

As long as I’m the shining star

So bow down to your master

The lastest V.I.

Lenin

And off to the camps to all of you

Who’d say, «not this again»

I am the leader of the workers

And I’ll tell you why the Left is suspect

Because there’s something you don’t understand

Only my line is correct

'Cause I am the vanguard of the masses

And all of you should just follow me

If you doubt my analysis

You must be in the petty bourgeoisie

And I’ll have no music at my protests

And none of that goddamn puppetry

I’ll just have some somber slogans

No decadent frivolity

My chants will be the right ones

Just the ones that should be said

And my banners we’ll wave proudly

Just the proper shade of red

And I will build the party if it kills me

I am solely dedicated to the cause

If I have to stab you in the back

This won’t give me pause

'Cause my platform will take us forward

And the ends always justify the means

And you must step aside behind me

Be you Quakers, Jews, anarchists or greens

I am the leader of the workers

And I’ll tell you why the Left is suspect

Because there’s something you don’t understand

Only my line is correct

'Cause I am the vanguard of the masses

And all of you should just follow me

If you doubt my analysis

You must be in the petty bourgeoisie