The history and politics of the English protest song

1911

March of the Women

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Cicely Hamilton
Composer: Ethel Smyth

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.
Forward! hark how it swells,
Thunder of freedom, the voice of the Lord!

Long, long, we in the past,
Cower’d 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, naught 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, these 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!

Lyrics

Of the many songs associated with the campaign for votes for women, this is perhaps the most famous. It was performed at Women’s Social and Political Union meetings in the Royal Albert Hall and at protests in Holloway Jail. A rallying call for women’s suffrage, rather than a direct criticism of the existing system, the song announces that ‘the dawn is breaking’ and that supporters of the cause must stand together.

Cause: Feminist | Equal Rights
Theme: Rights | Political Process | Identity
Addressed to: Women
Target of Protest: Elected Representatives
Proposal/Solution: Civil Disobedience | Emancipation