How brainless to sing the red flag.....

But we have to remember the slant the gutter press [and the BBC, sadly] put on things. Just spoke to DD who hadn't realised everyone was singing that night. What is wrong is how the Labour Party is portrayed by them and they must play them at their own game.

Agree with you nightowl
This is Labour's anthem a powerful song and in the circumstances the right thing to sing. Along with others who sang their songs too. Labour for the many.

Yes Doodlebug, I always think of it as being "Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches". Very sweet.

The Beeb just showed a clip on the news of the singing. Looks like they were just trying to cheer themselves up. Seems alright to me. What's wrong with the Red Flag anyway? If you're labour, you would sing it in a crisis wouldn't you?

Yes absthame wrong place, wrong time.

Our National Anthem could do with being changed. It's probably the most doleful anthem/tune on the planet, more like a dirge.

I really despair of democracy when someone thinks singing the Red Flag in Parliament is somehow unacceptable. If we are rejecting socialism, if we do not recognise the sacrifices made and honour the efforts to build a fairer society then we live in dangerous times. I suspect that the majority have in fact no idea of the words of the song and base their dislike on ideas spread by MSM. It's the anthem of the Labour movement and the Labour movement was responsible for the society we grew up in.
I actually prefer Bread and Roses, but the Red Flag has more historical credentials.

As a socialist I think that it was an appropriate time and place to sing the red flag. However I equally think that any politician worth their salt should have had more nowse than sing it when they are facing a GE and the issue of Marxism.......but hey, who thinks Corbyn has more political judgement than our clown of a PM? ???

Yes, the tune is 'Oh Tannenbaum'.

Oh, Christmas tree, Oh, Christmas tree,
How lovely are your branches
[Smile]

I remember singing that at school but it was called " Oh Christmas Tree ".

Jeremy Corbyn is the very last man who would cause me to get my knickers in a twist ?

The Red Flag is a socialist song, emphasising the sacrifices and solidarity of the international labour movement. It is the anthem of the British Labour Party,[1][2] Irish nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party, and Irish Labour Party.[citation needed] The song is traditionally sung at the close of each party's national conference.[3]
Wikipedia

The Red Flag is not a communist song, it has been the anthem of the Labour Party since the party was founded, it has been sung several times in the House of Commons, as recently as 2006. There is nothing disgraceful or even unusual in all of this (although I agree that we are living through unusual times). It’s just another example of people getting their knickers twisted over nothing very much at all, because it’s about Jeremy Corbyn.

Or Revolutionary?'

Indeed. It's not about revolution, it's about the struggle of those who have fought against oppression, and the need not to forget them.

Or 'revolutionary'?

Thanks for posting the words, Doodledog

Loyalty to whom Bradfordlass ?

(the rogue apostrophe isn't mine )

Seriously, can anyone tell me what is 'brainless' or in any way offensive about the words of this song?

The people's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their hearts' blood dyed in every fold

Then raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its folds we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here

It waved above our infant might
When all ahead seemed dark as night
It witnessed many a deed and vow
We mustn't change it's color now

Raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its folds we'll live and die
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here

It well recalls the triumphs past
It gives the hope of peace at last
The banner bright, the symbol plain
Of human right and human gain

Raise the scarlet standard high
Beneath its…

Luckygirl, I thought exactly the same thing.

I actually want a Labour government but I admit I am the sort of voter the Labour party doesn't seem to want these days, I am a Centrist.

But to be elected Labour will need to appeal to Centrists like me and singing a communist anthem won't increase the appeal. Corbyn needs to look measured, statesmanlike and able to forge links and alliances in contrast to boorish Johnson. Reverting to 'revolutionary' anthems scares people like me.

doodle The first time I remember hearing 'Tomorrow belongs to me' it was in Sound of Music. I was very young and thought it was lovely!!!
Always thought it was sad that Wagner had such bad press too. Wish we could separate some music from its associations!

Keir Hardy would be proud of them. It's called loyalty, something very rare these days.

Yes Rosiebee a lovely hymn ,

My favourite Welsh hymn and they sang it in tune and even with a touch of harmony.

I don’t blame them singing after yesterday’s debacle. Singing songs like that is about camaraderie. I went to two Stop the Coup protests recently attended by all political parties. At the end of both the Welsh national anthem was sang. It was brilliant even though many were not Welsh no one complained and it made everyone feel good. I think what they did in Parliament was brilliant.

I used to sing the Red Flag. I think it's a symbol of bonding now , rather than an ode to communism.

A rousing chorus of "Ode to Joy"?

Or Tomorrow Belongs To Me?