Ethel Mary Smyth — March of the Women

Shout, shout, up with your song! Cry with the wind, for the dawn is breaking March, march, swing you along Wide blows our banner, and hope is waking Song with its story, dreams with their glory "Lo!" they call, and glad is their word! Loud and louder it swells Thunder of freedom, the voice of the Lord! Long, long—we in the past Cowered in dread from the light of heaven Strong, strong—stand we at last Fearless in faith and with sight new given Strength with its beauty, life with its duty (Hear the voice, oh hear and obey!) These, these—beckon us on! Open your eyes to the blaze of day Comrades—ye who have dared First in the battle to strive and sorrow! Scorned, spurned—nought have ye cared Raising your eyes to a wider morrow Ways that are weary, days that are dreary Toil and pain by faith ye have borne Hail, hail—victors ye stand Wearing the wreath that the brave have worn! Life, strife—those two are one Naught can ye win but by faith and daring On, on—that ye have done But for the work of today preparing Firm in reliance, laugh a defiance (Laugh in hope, for sure is the end) March, march—many as one Shoulder to shoulder and friend to friend