Bread and Roses

Original poem by James Oppenheim
New lyrics and music Tom Juravich

As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts grey
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 come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go rising through our singing their ancient cry for bread
Art, 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 battle once again
We’re fighting for our children, our sisters and for men
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, 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