March of the Women

A hundred years ago this year was the first performance of March of the Women, in Pall Mall. The work of two suffrage campaigners, Ethyl Smyth (composer) and Cicely Hamilton (writer) it became an anthem for the women's suffrage movement. Here it is revived by a US choir in 2009:

March of the Women

The last verse is best, I think - you wouldn't write it the same way now, but the meaning stands. Faith and daring - laugh a defiance - friend to friend.

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.

There is a great story about suffragettes in Holloway Prison in 1912, marching in the courtyard and singing it while being conducted by Ethyl Smyth herself with a toothbrush.