Brewer's: Chant du Depart

After the Marseillaise, the most celebrated song of the first French Revolution. It was written by M. J. Chénier for a public festival, held June 11th, 1794, to commemorate the taking of the Bastille. The music is by Méhul. A mother, an old man, a child, a wife, a girl, and three warriors sing a verse in turn, and the sentiment of each is, “We give up our claims on the men of France for the good of the Republic.” (See page 217, col. 1, Carmagnole.)

La republique nous appelle, Sachons vaincre on sachons perir, Un Français doit vivre pour elle, Pour elle un Français is doit mourir.

M. J. Chenier.

The Republic invites, Let us conquer or fall; For her Frenchmen live, And die at her call.

E. C. B.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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