The melody is based on the famous Passion Chorale tune of J. S. Bach, who borrowed it himself from H. L. Hassler ["Mein Gmüth ist mir verwirret" in "Venusgärtlein," Nuremberg, 1613]. The Weavers recorded it, and more recently, Peter, Paul and Mary. It has been reprinted in in Unitarian and Lutheran hymnals, in Catholic and Protestant publications, indicating that Brotherhood is ecumenical and ecumenism is Brotherhood.TOM GLAZER (ed.), Songs of Peace, Freedom, & Protest, New York, NY, 1970, p. 21.
Addenda [in square brackets] by Manfred Helfert.
Because all men are brothers, wherever men may be,
The world shall be one union forever proud and free.
No tyrant shall defeat us, no nation strike us down,
All men who toil shall greet us, the whole wide world around.My brothers are all others, forever hand in hand,
Where chimes the bell of freedom, there is my native land.
My brothers' fears are my fears, yellow, white or brown.
My brothers tears are my tears, the whole wide world around.Let every voice be thunder, let every heart be strong
Until all tyrants perish our work will not be done.
Let every pain be token, the lost years shall be found.
Let slavery's chains be broken, the whole wide world around.
INTRODUCTION:Because all men are brothers, wherever men may be,
You know, when a workin' man gets into a scrap
He can use a friend anywhere on the map.
So this song is dedicated to the W.F.T.U.
Who gave a helpin' hand to the N.M.U. back in June 1946.
"W" stands for World, and "F" for Federation
No matter what your creed, your color or your nation.
"T" stands for Trade, the jobs we have to do.
An' "U" stands for Union, and it also stands for "you."
So here's to 'em, drink 'er down,
"All Around the World."
The world shall be one union forever proud and free.
No fascists shall defeat us, no nation strike us down,
All men who toil shall greet us, the whole wide world around.My brothers are all others, forever hand in hand,
Wherever people struggle, there is my native land.
My brothers' fears are my fears, yellow, white or brown.
My brothers' tears are my tears, the whole wide world around.Let every voice be thunder, let every heart be stone
Until all tyrants perish our work shall not be done.
Let every pain be token, the lost years shall be found.
Let slavery's chains be broken, the whole wide world around.Because all men are brothers, wherever men may be,
The world shall be one union forever proud and free.
No fascists shall defeat us, no nation strike us down,
All men who toil shall greet us, the whole wide world around.
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