Bread And Roses

Words by James Oppenheim and Music by John Denver
sung by John Denver
on Higher Ground (1988)



D 
As we go marching, marching, in the beauty of the day
D
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts grey
     G
Are touched with all the radiance that sudden sun discloses
         D                        G        D       A7       D
For the people hear us singing, Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses.

G
As we go marching, marching, we battle too for men
G
For they are women's children and we mother them again
     G
Our lives shall not be sweetened from birth until life closes
         D                        G        D         A7      D
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us Bread, but give us Roses.

G
As we go marching, marching, we bring the greater days
G
For the rising of the women, means the rising of the race
    G
No more the drudge and idler ten that toil where one reposes
          D                          G        D       A7       D
But the sharing of life's glories, Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses.
 G        D                          G        D       A7       D
But the sharing of life's glories, Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses.