In Russia I Felt For The First

When I Sang My American Folk Melodies In Budapest, Prague, Tiflis, Moscow, Oslo, Or The Hebrides Or On The Spanish Front, The People Understood And Wept Or Rejoiced With The Spirit Of The Songs. I Found That Where Forces Have Been The Same, Whether People Weave, Build, Pick Cotton, Or Dig In The Mine, They Understand Each Other In The Common Language Of Work, Suffering, And Protest.

Whether I Am Or Am Not A Communist Is Irrelevant. The Question Is Whether American Citizens, Regardless Of Their Political Beliefs Or Sympathies, May Enjoy Their Constitutional Rights.

In Fact, Because Of This Deep Desire For Peace, The Ruling Class Leaders Of This Land, From 1945 On, Stepped Up The Hysteria And Propaganda To Drive Into American Minds The False Notion That Danger Threatened Them From The East.

I Am Truly Happy That I Am Able To Travel From Time To Time To The Ussr The Country I Love Above All. I Always Have Been, I Am Now And Will Always Be A Loyal Friend Of The Soviet Union.

Every Artist, Every Scientist, Every Writer Must Decide Now Where He Stands. The Artist Must Take Sides. He Must Elect To Fight For Freedom Or For Slavery. I Have Made My Choice. I Had No Alternative.