One of the symbols of the revolution that is still noticeable today, is the national anthem of France, called Le Marseillaise.
The Beatles used the begin tune of this song for one of their own: all you need is love. In the beginning of the song you hear trumpets playing the theme... It is said that whenever Marie Antoinette used to hear this song, she shivered and cried.
The song is called so because during the revolution, troups from Marseille came to Paris to fight for the revolutionary cause, and they sang this song. Soon all of Revolutionary France sang it. Just take a look at the lyrics and remember, this is still the national anthem of France today:
Arise, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has arrived!
Against us the tyranny's
bloodied banner is raised,
Do you hear in the countryside
The roar of those ferocious soldiers
They come right here into your midst
To slaughter your sons and wives!
To arms, citizens,
Form your battalions,
Let's march, let's march!
May a tainted blood
Drench our furrows!
What does this horde of slaves,
Of traitors and conspiring kings want
For whom these vile chains,
These long-prepared irons
Frenchmen, for us, ah! What an insult
What fury it must arouse!
It is us they dare plan
To return to the old slavery!
To arms, citizens...
What! These foreign cohorts!
Would rule our homes!
What! These mercenary phalanxes
Would cut down our proud warriors!
Good Lord! By chained hands
Our heads would bow under the yoke
The vile despots would become
The masters of our destinies!
To arms, citizens...
(this piece is directed directly to Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette)
Tremble, tyrants and traitors
The shame of all good men,
Tremble! Your parricidal schemes
Will receive their just reward!
Against you, we are all soldiers,
If our young heroes fall,
The earth will bear new ones,
Ready to join the fight against you!
To arms, citizens....
Frenchmen, as magnanimous warriors,
Bear or hold back your blows!
Spare these sad victims,
Armed against us against their will.
But not these blood-thirsty despots,
These accomplices of Bouillé, (Bouillé was against the revolution and advised the royal family to flee)
All these tigers who mercilessly
Ripped out their mother's breast!
To arms, citizens....
Sacred patriotic love,
Lead and support our avenging arms
Liberty, cherished liberty,
Fight back with your defenders!
Under our flags, let victory
Hurry to your manly tone,
So that your enemies, in their last breath,
See your triumph and our glory!
To arms, citizens....
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