Bread & Roses

This song by John Denver / James Oppenheim was inspired by a speech given in 1910 by textile striker Helen Todd, who wanted work to mean more than mere subsistence. She believed that the abundance of the world belongs to all, not just a privileged few.   It rings truer than ever today, with all the unfairness and unrest in the world.  I feel very blessed to have a garden in which to grow my roses, and an oven in which to bake bread.

Bread and Roses

As we go marching, marching In the beauty of the day A million darkened kitchens A thousand mill lofts grey 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 mother them again Our lives shall not be sweetened From birth until life closes Hearts starve as well as bodies Give us bread, but give us roses As we go marching, marching We bring the greater days For the rising of the women Means the rising of the race No more the drudge and idler Ten that toil where one reposes But the sharing of life's glories Bread and roses, bread and roses