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This song, Bread and Roses (that's Judy Collins singing), takes its words from the poet James Oppenheim, whose writing was inspired by the women union organizers of his day. Today is the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. The global recognition of women's struggle for voting, economic & civil rights had its birth in the socialist movement, and has always been observant of women's and children's economic vulnerability.
Today, 3 women on the Assembly Budget Committee - all Dems - took note of the setbacks women in NJ are dealing with under the Christie administration. A "monumental step backwards," as Nellie Pou calls it. Bonnie Watson Coleman talked about the real meaning of Chris Christie's "new normal"; it means "adjusting to a lower standard of living unless you are part of the wealthiest one percent in this state." Joan Quigley pointed out this marks the 2nd year the Christie administration "decided that access to cancer screenings, birth control and preventative care are unimportant for the working poor women of this state," adding "NJ has long been known as a progressive and compassionate state, but under the Christie administration we have taken a major step in the wrong direction."
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;
Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses!
- full lyrics of this lovely poem/song posted after the jump |
Bread and Roses - lyrics
Poet James Oppenheim 1882-1932
As we come 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 hear us singing: "Bread and roses! Bread and roses!"
As we come 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 come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient cry 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 come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.
The rising of the women means the rising of the race.
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! |
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