I hear the sound of marching feet
But none that march for me
The banners, flags and speeches
Are but cheap and tawdry dreams

Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence

The loves we shared we tore apart
And tossed aside like kisses
Now stand we tall in ashes
Of our vainglorious times

Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence

There comes a time in every man's life
When he must pick a side not stand aside
And hide his face in shame
There comes a time in every man's life
When neither abstinence, nor decadence
WIR, or wealth or elegance will do
Or the whiplash of leaders
Can stay his righteous hand

There comes a time in every man's life
Like for Charlemagne or Caesar
Jean Paul Sartre or Nietzsche
Ludwig Wittgenstein, Primo Levi, or Ferdinand Celine
When enough is enough, and the waiting must end
And the end must be brought to a head, so we sing

Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence
Long live independence