If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next

"If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next"
Song

"If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" was the lead single from the Manic Street Preachers' fifth studio album, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. It was released on August 24, 1998. All three members of the band shared writing credits.

The song was about the Spanish Civil War, and the idealism of volunteers from around the world who joined the International Brigade fighting Franco's fascist insurrection against the Spanish Republic.

The song takes its name from a Republican (i.e. left-wing) poster at the time. A young child killed by the Nationalists was portrayed on the poster and a stark warning written at the bottom: “If you tolerate this, your children will be next.” (View poster) A variant poster came with the similar message, “What Europe tolerates or protects. What your children can expect.”

Various works on the Spanish Civil War were the inspiration for this song, most notably George Orwell's first-hand account, "Homage to Catalonia." Nicky has acknowledged that he was also inspired by a song by The Clash, "Spanish Bombs", which has a similar subject.

Certain lyrics seem to pertain to these works. For example, the line “If I can shoot rabbits/then I can shoot fascists” is attributed to a Welsh farmer who signed up with the Republican fighters.

“I’ve walked Las Ramblas/but not with real intent” brings to mind the account in Orwell’s book of fighting on the Ramblas, with the various factions seemingly getting nowhere with the fighting and often a sense of camaraderie overriding the vaunted principles each side was supposed to be fighting for.

The single reached number one in the UK charts on September 5 1998 to become the first of their singles to achieve this. ("The Masses Against The Classes" also made number one on January 22 2000.)

There were two CD singles; the first also included versions of "Prologue To History" and "Montana Autumn 78"; the second featured a 4'54" remix by Massive Attack and a 10'02" The Class Reunion of the Sunset Marquis Mix by David Holmes.

The song also made an appearance as track number three on Forever Delayed (2002), the Manics' greatest hits album.

The song was covered by David Usher on his 2003 album, Hallucinations.

Track listing

CD1

1. "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next"
2. "Prologue to History"
3. "Montana/Autumn/78

CD2

1. "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next"
2. "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (Massive Attack Remix)"
3. "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (David Holmes Remix)"

MC

1. "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next"
2. "Kevin Carter" (Live At Manchester NYNEX, 24th May 1997)