The March of the Women

Dame Ethel Smyth wrote the March of the Women (1911) for the Women's Social and Political Union, the leading organization of the suffragists in Britain. It was used as the theme for the BBC's "Shoulder to Shoulder," which isn't available on DVD and has not been rebroadcast for decades here. The graphics are in the public domain, and the performance is that of the Rainbow Chorus from May 2009, posted at
• March of the Women and... .

[@JulieQ150]

The BBC drama The Suffragettes was a big influence on my 10 year old brain in early 70's. It really got me thinking about politics and social injustice, the cruelty of the patriarchy - well not in those words.

[@stevew4413]

111 years old and bloody brilliant.

[@ginnyweasly8464]

I think this part of our history is so much emportant because WE forget so often that ones women fought and died for the rights WE have today!

[@Hugh_de_Mortimer]

One's women and one.

[@Anicius_]

Yeah now stop taking your husband's names and wearing skirts and you're all good

[@Sunflowers159]

I always vote in elections because of the efforts of the brave women who endured appalling treatment to give me the right to do so. They were forcibly fed - which often resulted in having their teeth broken or their choking as the food went into their lungs - they were beaten and otherwise physically ill-treated, but still they kept going. I only hope that if it ever comes to it that I will have the courage to do the same for my beliefs too.

[@jadewu111]

Yes :)

[@KathrynARyder]

Come on Ladies!!! March with us Saturday, January 21st in every major city!!!!

[@mellaa.3550]

Danke für das Posten dieser Hymne und ein besonderer Dank an die mutigen Frauen

[@jamakaya1332]

Great song and selection of photos. Thanks for posting.

[@LouisaVancea-ft7ef]

Thank you for posting this! I would like to remind everyone that just as they fought for their rights so that the future generations can have more freedom and rights, so must we fight for the current opressed and ignored communities so that they can enjoy the same freedoms and rights that we do.

[@pauline5248]

Great to hear this Suffragette anthem and see the words printed out. What strength of character those Edwardian ladies had. Well done!

[@keirtaylor4669]

Pauline K. and an out lesbian too (Ethel Smyth) hoorah !

[@cynthiagittins2413]

Excellent article in the Guardian about Ethel Smyth's opera the Wreckers at Glynbourne and The Proms. Fascinating woman.

[@LauseMarkA]

The BBC series "Shoulder to Shoulder" is supposed to be out in DVD (finally) at some point soon. After that, there'll be a more commercial and marketable version of the song available...surely with MP3s available via Amazon. That series was where I first heard the song and was ready to storm the Parliament myself.

[@Monkster81]

Bless you Mark for posting this, I came searching for it in my palpable grief in the lost ground of civil liberties, having been stirred by it mightily when seeing the remarkable Shoulder to Shoulder series when originally broadcast. I never dreamed we would lose this ground from the foundation they gave their lives' blood and suffered brutalization to hand down to us. The only lyrics I rememberered were "firm in reliance, love and defiance" (now I see it is laugh) and "shoulder to shoulder and friend to friend." What a treasured gift, Mark, learning all the lyrics and honoring them all as I sob and plan to fight to regain the sacred ground they won for us.

[@elaryiadegroot3860]

Oh, please, I watched the show in the mid 70's & have waited SO long to see it again, I found the companion book in a discount bin. SAD.

[@billhaywood3503]

@@elaryiadegroot3860 it never came out I think you can find it on DVD-R

[@elaryiadegroot3860]

@@billhaywood3503 Thanks! I'll check it out.

[@SafetySpooon]

Verse 1 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! Verse 2 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. Verse 3 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! Verse 4 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.

[@ginnyweasly8464]

SafetySpooon thank you for writing down the lyrics🙂

[@SafetySpooon]

You're very welcome - I should have taken them with me this past Saturday! LOL

[@Loomyer]

Came here after seeing the 'East End Suffragettes' exhibition at the Four Corners Gallery in the Roman Road, London, Nov 2018 to 9 Feb 2019.

[@mariaestherpinedanajera4172]

In Memoriam!!! It's still, a long way to walk! But we can do it.

[@saffronjay3903]

What we need is an understanding that feminity is equal to masculinity. So men and women will no longer see it as degrading to take on traditional women's tasks. So they are given equal value.

[@bat7bertman]

Thanks! this is wonderful.

[@marisavallejoactriz-facili5341]

THANKS A LOT FOR NICE DOCUMENT!!!

[@corneliamaier1960]

Wonderful song!

[@gpcrawford8353]

She knew Grieg,Tchaikovsky,Brahms from Leipzig Conservatory in true Scandinavian spirit Edvard Grieg was the only one to accept her immediately as an equal composer.

[@Fellinibean]

There is an LP of Masterpiece Theatre theme songs that has the lovely version of this song. If someone could transfer it to computer and if copyrights were not violated, it would be great to have it available again.

[@corneliamaier1960]

Beautiful.

[@margaritaf1]

Qué valientes las mujeres, en la guera y en la paz y sin posibilidad de sufragar

[@rositasweetman]

fab!

[@Nounismisation]

AH!! The sound quality!!

[@chocsal]

Still we deny people votes when it suits us (EU citizens). I might sing this at the march on the 9th of September.

[@keithramsell9955]

Am I the only person to notice the "Feminine cadence" (strong to weak) at the end of each line?

[@acseys]

@LauseMarkA Any news on the DVD release of Shoulder to Shoulder? I am tearing my hair out trying to get hold of it

[@MrFalconford]

shared

[@CHANTVideos]

Hi Mark, the graphics that are in the public domain, are they all American or a mixture of both British and American ? Thanks

[@LauseMarkA]

They're a mix.

[@sarasvatishaktiscripts3998]

🤗🕉🍃Greeeeat... 🍃🕉🤗

[@Beson-SE]

When Ethel Smyth was in Holloway Prison 1912 she conducted her fellow sisters in this song with a tooth brush she'd be given by the warden.

[@Anicius_]

0:37 where usual stupidity sweeps in Its that fucking lord that oppressed you

[@puccio1795]

yesterday woman, today: gay people!!!