Alternate Versions
"The Red Flag" was parodied by singer-songwriter Leon Rosselson as the "Battle Hymn of the New Socialist Party," also known as "The Red Flag Once a Year" or "The People's Flag Is Palest Pink." It is intended to satirise the perceived lack of socialist principles in the Labour Party. The initial parody was widely known in the 1960s, sometimes sung during late night parties at student conferences. It was revived in the early 2000s in response to the reforms associated with Tony Blair. A version which began "The people's flag is palest pink, mum washed it in the kitchen sink" was popular among schoolchildren in the 1950s, which may have inspired Rosselson's version.
One version of the opening lyrics are:
- The people’s flag is palest pink
- It’s not the colour you might think
- The middle classes stand and cheer
- The Labour government is here
- We’ll change the country bit by bit
- So nobody will notice it
- And just to show that we’re sincere
- We’ll sing The Red Flag once a year
A version of "The Red Flag" with similar lyrics entitled "We'll Never Die" is the official anthem of Manchester United F.C.. A similar version is also sung regularly by supporters of Sunderland AFC. The melody is used in Harold Baum's "The Michaelis Anthem" in The Biochemists' Songbook.
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