In June, heavenly troops march against corruption and evil,
A ten-thousand-zhang long cord seeks to bind the great roc.
Over by the Gan River, a red corner has been won;
A detached force relies heavily on Comrade Huang Gonglue.  Millions of workers and peasants surge forward in unison,
Sweeping through Jiangxi straight toward Hunan and Hubei.
Let the Internationale resound as one mournful song;
A raging gale descends from heaven to bear me down.



 [Commentary]
  Written while advancing from western Fujian, first toward Nanchang and then on to Changsha.

 [Notes]
  (1) Huang Gonglue (1898–1931): Joined the Pingjiang Uprising in 1928 and became commander of the Red Third Army in 1930; in June he was incorporated into the First Front Army; he fell in battle in October 1931.
  (2) Heavenly troops: Refers to the Red Army.
  (3) The great roc: Symbolizes the Kuomintang leaders.
  (4) Detached force: A portion of the entire army.
  (5) Rely heavily on: To draw upon or make use of.
  (6) The Internationale: Refers to “The Internationale.”