"The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade" - Canadian International Brigade Song

Doc Bethune was a Canadian communist doctor who fought for the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War.
"¡No Pasarán!" was a Spanish Republican slogan meaning "They Will Not Pass"

Incredibly huge and massive thanks to ‪@scryl‬ for helping with the lyrics, absolute hero of the 4a4b nation 🫡

"The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade" is a song by the Canadian band Hudson Valley Sally celebrating the Mackenzie-Papineau battalion, a Canadian international brigade that fought for the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War.



The winds of war in thirty-five,
The world turns its head from the rising fascist tide,
Not the Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!

The cry from Toronto, from Montréal,
'Cross Canada, unions rallied to the call,
The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!

To France, to Spain, 'cross the Pyrenees,
Some try by boat and are blown out of the sea,
The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!

English is our tongue,
Ici on parle français,
United here in Spain,
"¡No Pasarán!" we say,
The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!


Fighting at Jarama and Aragon,
Before the killing's through, nearly half of them are gone,
The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!

On the battlefields, 'neath the Spanish moon,
Comes drivin' out to heal us, our medic Doc Bethune,
The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!

English is our tongue,
Ici on parle français,
United here in Spain,
"¡No Pasarán!" We say,
The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!


Survivors sail back to Canadian lands,
Their own government persecutes this brave and loyal band,
The Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!

So, let us sing the praise of these worthy volunteers,
May their names be remembered over all the years,
Long live the Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!
Long live the Mackenzie-Papineau Brigade!