The Complaint of Costa Gomes[1]



Mr Carvalho sent me a letter
Perhaps I will read it
If he allows me the time

He wants me to conclude the proletarian question
History and its mysteries
Before Wednesday evening

General Carvalho, I cannot do it
I am a soldier
Who is not very intelligent

No one is a revolutionary more than I
If the task is slight
I would like to see you do it

I have already seen chased away, owners
Generals, mayors
And governments

I have seen escape from us entire factories
The marines
And regiments

Without Vasco, without Cunhal, we no longer have on Earth
Either protectors, or fathers
At the depths of our torments

Everywhere class society slightly alters itself
The austere bureaucracy
Remains its lone defender

Who can better put the breaks on the workers' offensive
With three ministers
And lying journalists?

If you don't like this, ask in Neves
"Which soldiers are left
And how many priests"?

And say frankly that by moving quickly
It will be just
And it will be necessary to shoot!

[1] Written 19 August 1975. To be sung to the tune of "Deserter" by Boris Vian.


(Published in Guy Debord Correspondance, Vol 5: Janvier 1973-Decembre 1978 by Librairie Artheme Fayard, 2005. Translated from the French by NOT BORED! April 2007. Footnote by Alice Debord.)




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