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Vanguard

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Aminor

90BPM

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[Verse]
  AmWorker’s World says that they have all the answers
And MiFlosevic is a guy that they admire
The CISO says Trotsky is the man
And they’ll deEbate it until they all expire
The inFdustrial workers will lead the revolution
CSo claims the SWP
No, the Gtruth lies among the lumpen
EThat’s the RCP
[Verse]
The AmSparts say the rest can go to hell
And eFveryone else is a Stalinist
The CCP will just do their thing
And preEtend the others don’t exist
Well I Fhad a realization this morning
CWhen I looked into the red and dawning sun
I’ve Gfigured out the truth
And I’m Eforming a party of one
[Chorus]
FI am the leader of the workers
And I’ll Ctell you why the Left is suspect
Because there’s Gsomething you don’t understand
Only Emy line is correct
‘Cause FI am the vanguard of the masses
And Call of you should just follow me
And Gif you doubt my analysis
You Emust be in the B7petty bourgeoiEsie
[Verse]
But AmI am not sectarian
It’s Fall the rest who are
CI work fine in coalitions
As Elong as I’m the shining star
So Fbow down to your master
The Clastest V.I. Lenin
And Goff to the camps to all of you
Who’d Esay, “not this again”
[Chorus]
FI am the leader of the workers
And I’ll Ctell you why the Left is suspect
Because there’s Gsomething you don’t understand
Only Emy line is correct
‘Cause FI am the vanguard of the masses
And Call of you should just follow me
And Gif you doubt my analysis
You Emust be in the B7petty bourgeoiEsie
[Verse]
And AmI’ll have no music at my protests
And Fnone of that goddamn puppetry
CI’ll just have some somber slogans
No Edecadent frivolity
FMy chants will be the right ones
Just the Cones that should be said
And my Gbanners we’ll wave proudly
Just the Eproper shade of red
[Chorus]
FI am the leader of the workers
And I’ll Ctell you why the Left is suspect
Because there’s Gsomething you don’t understand
Only Emy line is correct
‘Cause FI am the vanguard of the masses
And Call of you should just follow me
And Gif you doubt my analysis
You Emust be in the B7petty bourgeoiEsie
[Verse]
And AmI will build the party if it kills me
I am Fsolely dedicated to the cause
CIf I have to stab you in the back
EThis won’t give me pause
‘Cause Fmy platform will take us forward
And the Cends always justify the means
And Gyou must step aside behind me
Be you EQuakers, Jews, anarchists or greens
[Chorus]
FI am the leader of the workers
And I’ll Ctell you why the Left is suspect
Because there’s Gsomething you don’t understand
Only Emy line is correct
‘Cause FI am the vanguard of the masses
And Call of you should just follow me
And Gif you doubt my analysis
You Emust be in the B7petty bourgeoiEsie

All chords in this song (6)

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Vanguard

by David Rovics

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse]

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

[Verse]

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

[Chorus]

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

And if you doubt my analysis

E B7 E

You must be in the petty bourgeoisie

[Verse]

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”

[Chorus]

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

And if you doubt my analysis

E B7 E

You must be in the petty bourgeoisie

[Verse]

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

[Chorus]

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

And if you doubt my analysis

E B7 E

You must be in the petty bourgeoisie

[Verse]

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

[Chorus]

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

And if you doubt my analysis

E B7 E

You must be in the petty bourgeoisie

About Vanguard Chords by David Rovics

Learn how to play Vanguard by David Rovics with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Vanguard chords”, “Vanguard guitar chords”, or “David Rovics Vanguard chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Vanguard chords and for experienced players who want accurate Vanguard lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, F, C, E, G, B7.

FAQ — Vanguard by David Rovics

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What key is "Vanguard" in?

The chords for "Vanguard" show the original chord names (including Am, F, C, E, G, B7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.