Internationalists

International Youth Year Mural at Wisbech Community Centre, Cambs

June 85

If you believe you have an equal share
In the whole wide world and all it bears
An’ that your share is no less or more than
Your fellow sisters and your brother man
Then take this knowledge and with it insist
Declare yourself an internationalist

If you lay no blame at the feet of next door
And realise this struggle is also yours
And that without the strength of us altogether
The world as it stands will remain forever
Then take this challenge and make it exist!
Rise up as an internationalist

If your eyes see deeper than the colour of skin
Then you must also see we are the same within
An’ the rights you expect are the rights of all
Now it’s up to you to lead the call
Liberty must come at the top of the list
Stand proud as an internationalist

If you see the mistake in having bosses at all
You will also see how they all must fall
For under this system there is no such thing
Democracy our leaders would have us sing
No time for lies now as only truth must persist
Rise up now and declare yourself an internationalist

(Internationalists from the album Our Favourite Shop by The Style Council
Songwriters: Paul John Weller / Mick Talbot 1885)

The Brief:

An invitation in 1985 to paint a ‘Bigger Picture’ to celebrate ‘International Youth Year’ with first year students from the BTEC National Diploma in General Art & Design course at the Isle College, Wisbech. Three weeks and five days later, it’s completed and installed.