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From: heidi@wolf.unet.com (Heidi Wolf)
Newsgroups: soc.feminism
Subject: Re: "Bread and Roses" lyrics wanted
Message-ID: <1354@unet.UUCP>
Date: 8 May 91 19:43:19 GMT
References: <1991May1.204611.27379@lsuc.on.ca>
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In article <1991May1.204611.27379@lsuc.on.ca> jim@lsuc.on.ca (Jim Mercer) writes:
>
>i have just joined a housing co-operative named bread and roses.
>i am told that the name comes from a feminist protest song (40's or 50's).
>does anyone have the lyrics?
>thanx

The version posted below is from Peter Seeger's book CARRY IT ON!, "a
history in song and picture of the working men and women of America,"
copyright 1985.  Seeger includes the tune and the guitar chords as
well as the lyrics.

[Note:  I've also heard this sung, with minor variations from the lyrics
posted here, by Mimi Farina and Joan Baez on the album BREAD AND
ROSES.]



"BREAD AND ROSES" ** -- Words by James Oppenheim; music by Mimi Farina
                       (Joan Baez's sister).  Copyright 1976, Farina Music.

** Based on a sign carried by a striker in the 1912 Lawrence, MA, textile mill
   strike:  WE WANT BREAD AND WE WANT ROSES TOO.]


As we go marching, marching
In the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens,
A thousand mill lofts gray
Are touched with all the radiance
That a sudden sun discloses,
For the people here are singing:
Bread and roses, bread and roses.


As we go marching, marching,
We battle too for men,
For they are in the struggle,
And together we shall win.
Our days 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,
Unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing
Their ancient call for bread;
Small art and love and beauty
Their trudging spirits knew --
Yes, it is bread we fight for,
But we fight for roses, too.


As we go marching, marching,
We're standing proud and tall:
The rising of the women
Means the rising of us all.
No more the drudge and idler,
Ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life's glories:
Bread and roses, bread and roses!