The horrific events of last weekend in Paris have touched all of us who believe in western values.
The murders of innocent people who were simply enjoying themselves on a Friday night was barbaric beyond belief.
I drove past Wembley Stadium yesterday, its magnificent arch was lit with the proud colours of the French flag.
Tonight I’ll be at the England versus France match and, as I’m sure the vast majority of English fans will be doing, I’ll be singing the French national anthem – La Marseillaise.
The request from the English FA for fans to join in as a mark of respect, unity and support for our French cousins is a great gesture and shows the terrorists that we will continue to lead our lives in line with our western values.
Here are the words to La Marseillaise, with an English translation.
La Marseillaise first verse and chorus
Allons enfants de la Patrie,
Le jour de gloire est arrive!
Contre nous de la tyrannie,
L’etendard sanglant est leve (repeat)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces feroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras
Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes!
Chorus: Aux armes, citoyens,
Formez vos bataillons,
Marchons, marchons,
Qu’un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons (repeat)
Translation
Arise, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has arrived!
Against us tyranny’s
Bloody banner is raised
Do you hear, in the countryside,
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They’re coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons, your women!
Chorus: To arms, citizens,
Form your battalions,
Let’s march, let’s march,
Let an impure blood
Water our furrows.
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