Bread & Roses

BREAD & ROSES

Lawrence Textile Strike - March 12, 1912

5' x 7' Banner by Mike Alewitz 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Lawrence_Textile_Strike

Bread and Roses

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 song of 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. 

By James Oppenheim

1882-1932