The Decembrists' Song (1921)

[Chorus 1] Don't forget how we got here We've built this on the backs of the unrewarded They saved their sacrifice and died a fruitless death So with my dying breath I beseech you, soldiers Don't lose your nerve as you get older The battle that you fight today is the most important [Verse 1] Though their numbers seemed so strong that winter afternoon Before the end they all stood on their own Don't make the mistake of ideological compromises Consensus won't do you justice Your passion for your cause does all the talking [Chorus 2] Men without conscience will deceive your mind But not your heart-unless you let them The struggle will go on as long as you keep fighting Just don't forget how we got here [Chorus 1] [Verse 2] The Decembrists' struggle of so many years ago Was a battle to convince themselves the cause they chose was worthy of their blood When faced with odds they didn't like they stood and paused in indecision Our hearts and dreams sank faster than the sun [Chorus 2, Chorus 1, Chorus 2]