Although Rovics is not strongly associated with any particular political or ideological movement, his lyrics and recorded interviews encompass a wide range of left-wing, humanitarian interests. He has suggested a commonality or synthesis between these varied ideologies in several of his radio interviews, and cites his music as a means to disseminate these ideas. His provocative and catchy lyrics bring to mind a modern-day Woody Guthrie or Phil Ochs.
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Vanguard
David Rovics Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
The song "Vanguard" by David Rovics is a satirical take on the Leftist politics and parties in America in the late 20th century. The lyrics are a critique of the various Leftist factions that are often caught up in debates over theoretical differences, individual agendas, and infighting, instead of focusing on the goal of the larger Leftist movement. The song begins with Rovics listing a few of the political groups in America, such as the Social Workers Party, Industrial Workers, and the Spartacists, each of whom believes that they have the correct analysis and methodology to lead the working-class revolution. But Rovics contends that the truth is among the Lumpen or the underclass.
In the chorus, Rovics claims that he is not sectarian and that he works well in coalition, as long as he is the main star. He sings that he is the vanguard of the masses and everyone should follow him because only his line is correct. Rovics mocks the idea that anyone who doubts his analysis must be a part of the petty bourgeoisie. In the bridge, he says that he will have no music or puppetry at his protests and will only have a few somber slogans, for his main focus would be on the message alone. He also adds that he shall take any means necessary to achieve his ends.
In conclusion, "Vanguard" highlights the absurdity of the various factions that make up the American Leftist movement, the infighting and notions of self-importance that suffocate the groups' collective potential. Instead, the song suggests that the working-class masses must take center stage, and their needs should be the driving force behind any political and social action.
Line by Line Meaning
Worker's World says that they have all the answers
Worker's World believes they have the correct solutions to all problems
And Milosevic is a guy that they admire
They have admiration for Milosevic
The ISO says Trotsky is the man
ISO holds Trotsky in high regard
And they'll debate it until they all expire
They will continue debating their beliefs until they die
The industrial workers will lead the revolution
SWP believes that the industrial workers will lead the revolution
So claims the SWP
SWP makes this claim
No, the truth lies among the lumpen;
The truth is with the lumpen
That's the RCP
And that's what the RCP believes
The Sparts say the rest can go to hell
Sparts do not care about others' beliefs
And everyone else is a Stalinist
Sparts view others as Stalinists
The CP will just do their thing
CP will continue with their approach to politics
And pretend the others don't exist
CP ignores the beliefs of others
Well I had a realization this morning
I had an epiphany recently
When I looked into the red and dawning sun
When I saw the sunrise
I've figured out the truth
I have figured out the truth
And I'm forming a party of one
I am forming my own political party
I am the leader of the workers
I believe that I am the leader of the workers
And I'll tell you why the Left is suspect
I will explain why I distrust the Left
Because there's something you don't understand
There is something you are missing
Only my line is correct
My beliefs are the only correct ones
'Cause I am the vanguard of the masses
I consider myself the leader of the people
And all of you should just follow me
Everyone should listen to me and follow my lead
If you doubt my analysis
If you disagree with my opinions
You must be in the petty bourgeoisie
You are part of the petty bourgeoisie if you disagree with me
But I am not sectarian
I do not discriminate against others
It's all the rest who are
Others are the ones who are discriminatory
I work fine in coalitions
I can work with others in political coalitions
As long as I'm the shining star
As long as I am the center of attention
So bow down to your master
Respect me as your superior
The lastest V.I. Lenin
The most recent incarnation of V.I. Lenin
And off to the camps to all of you
Those who disagree with me should go to labor camps
Who'd say, "not this again"
Those who do not want to repeat previous mistakes
And I'll have no music at my protests
I do not want music at my protests
And none of that goddamn puppetry
I dislike puppetry at protests
I'll just have some somber slogans
I prefer serious slogans at my protests
No decadent frivolity
I dislike frivolous behavior
My chants will be the right ones
My chants are the correct ones
Just the ones that should be said
Only the necessary chants will be used
And my banners we'll wave proudly
We will wave our banners with pride
Just the proper shade of red
Banners will only be red
And I will build the party if it kills me
I will do whatever it takes to build my political party
I am solely dedicated to the cause
I am completely devoted to my political beliefs
If I have to stab you in the back
I will betray you if necessary
This won't give me pause
It will not make me hesitate or reconsider
'Cause my platform will take us forward
My platform will bring us closer to our goals
And the ends always justify the means
The outcome is more important than how we get there
And you must step aside behind me
Others should let me lead
Be you Quakers, Jews, anarchists or greens
Regardless of your background or beliefs
Contributed by Jack B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.