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New Words to We Will Rise Together


This song has gone through several changes over the years. This is the latest version:

WE WILL RISE TOGETHER (Hali Hammer)

We will rise together, we’ll be wise together

We will watch the winter turn into the spring together

We’ll hold hands together, we will band together

We’ll breathe in and out as one and we will rise, rise, rise

Our hearts will pound as one and we will rise, rise, rise

Millions rose upon their feet as they marched into the street

For the Women’s March of 2017

In our cities large and small, young and old answer the call

To show the world the best side of America.

(CHORUS)

We must not yield to fear, we must defend what we hold dear

We must rise above the darkness and hold fast to the light

We have to heed the call to protect the rights of all

To preserve progressive values, keeping hope within our sight

(CHORUS)

Now all across the country, people mobilize together

To work for peace and justice so that we can carry on

        We never will give in, so collectively we’ll win

        For the darkest night becomes the new light of a breaking dawn

We will rise together, we’ll be wise together

We will watch the winter turn into the spring together

We’ll hold hands together, we will band together

We’ll breathe in and out as one and we will rise, rise, rise

Our hearts will pound as one and we will rise, rise, rise

We Can’t Go Back

This is a song about abortion. I went to a Moth Slam at Freight & Salvage in Berkeley and heard a story that was a lot like the first verse. My brother went to school with someone who had been raised by his grandmother after his mother died from a botched abortion. That is the story of the second verse. The third verse is too true for too many young girls, even though I didn’t specifically hear about Betty.

I got to perform it at a reading of the play “Roe” put on by the Actors Ensemble of Berkeley June 12 at the David Brower Center, and at a concert put on by Great Labor Arts Exchange at the Labor Notes Conference in Chicago on the 18th. Several people are using it on radio stations and podcasts. I feel obligated to express what is in this piece.

I can’t say enjoy, but if you think this is an important song about an important issue, please do share it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB7f1F4HCKg