SoNG: Bread and Roses

Bread and Roses

Written by Caroline Kohsleet & James Oppenheim

PeHP Source: Songsheets 1984 

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 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’ll walk with 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, unnumbered women dead.

So 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,

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!

Our lives shall not be sweated from birth 
until live closes;

Hearts starve as well as bodies; 
Bread and roses! Bread and roses!

Listen to Joan Baez and Mima Farina's version here.