The rousing tune was familiar to anyone who has sung the festive chorus Oh, Christmas Tree. The words, however, posed something of a problem.

After years in the wilderness, socialist anthem The Red Flag was revived as the traditional conference swansong with some of the dodgier of the seven verses, especially the one about dungeons dark and gallows grim, gently excised.

But a survey by The Argus revealed even the opening lines prove something of a challenge for the New Labour faithful. As John Prescott stepped off stage and the opening bars began, delegates searched for their song sheets and a few worried faces scanned the auditorium for spare copies.

Some of the brothers battled it through to the end, putting on a brave if not entirely convincing, performance.

Pete Willsman, of the national policy forum, admitted some of the lyrics were a bit intense. He said: "I think some of it is a bit hard going."

He tried to find someone who he thought he would be able to recite the anthem from start to finish, recommending Cherie Blair. Although happy to belt out an inspired version of Twist And Shout earlier in the week, she was nowhere to be found for the Red Flag challenge.

Mark Seddon, of the national executive committee, said: "I know it but I am not going to sing it here for you. I can sing the whole first verse and I think it's wonderful."

Geoff Hoon, Defence Secretary, looked as if he might break into song when asked if he knew the first verse. But he swiftly changed his mind and said: "I know the words but I am not going to play games with you."

David Lammy, MP, had secreted the cribsheet in his pocket just in case but said he was confident he would make it to the end.

John McWilliam, MP, took a deep breath and launched into the opening lines: "The people's flag is deepest red, it shrouded oft our martyred dead and 'ere their limbs grew..." but trailed off miserably.

When the time finally came for people to put their knowledge where their mouths were, a group of steel workers led by opera singer Suzannah Clarke put their hearts into the performance.

The eight men and one woman who work at the Redcar steelworks, near Middlesborough, put delegates to shame as they proudly took centre stage. Ms Clarke, who also closed last year's party conference, said she was a huge fan of the song.

She said: "It is a tune everyone knows and it has been enjoyed by the party for many years. The words are a little old fashioned but I still think it evokes a sense of community, which is important in any party.

"That's why we have chosen to do one verse and one chorus. Times do move on so you have to choose the verses which are the most suitable."

She defended those delegates who did not share her knowledge of the lyrics, saying: "It is a bit unfair when you say everybody must know the words. There are many new members of the party. You can't expect them to know all the words."