BREAD AND ROSES
Lyrics by James Oppenheim, melody by Mimi Fariña
As we go marching, marching, in the beauty of the day
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray
Are touched by all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses
For the people hear us singing, bread and roses, bread and roses.
As we go marching, marching, we battle too, for men,
For they are women’s children and we mother them again
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes,
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread, but give us roses.
As we go marching, marching, un-numbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient call for bread,
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew
Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for roses, too.
As we go marching, marching, we bring the greater days
For the rising of the women means the rising of the race
No more the drudge and idler, ten that toil while one reposes,
But a sharing of life's glories, bread and roses, bread and roses.