Songs Celebrating Biblical Women: Inclusive Songs for Resistance & Social Action

Many biblical females have been ignored, excluded, demeaned, misinterpreted, and defamed. In an effort to reclaim and revalue some of these women in Scripture, I have written songs in celebration of them.

One of the features of Inclusive Songs for Resistance & Social Action is the inclusion of songs that honor biblical women, such as Eve, Shiphrah, Puah, Lydia, and Phoebe. These songs celebrate the power of the Divine image embodied by women in Scripture.

Some of the songs lament the church’s marginalization of biblical women and current women, while also celebrating their resilience and persistence. “And Still We Rise” names women leaders in Scripture, like the prophet Anna and the apostle Junia, concluding by connecting overlooked biblical women to current women. This song draws from Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise,” as well as from biblical passages.

And Still We Rise

“Still I Rise,” Maya Angelou; Luke 1:46-55, 2:36-38, 8:1-3; Acts 18:24-27; Romans 16:1-2,7; Proverbs 3:17

The women long ignored
still rise from sacred page;
with Wisdom they explored
the truth for every age.
And still they rise,
and still they rise with hope alive,
and still they rise.

The women preached the Word;
the Bible makes it clear;
still many have not heard
these sisters through the years.
And still they rise,
and still they rise with hope alive,
and still they rise.

The prophet Anna sees
her vision come to light,
and Mother Mary frees
oppressed from painful plight.
And still they rise,
and still they rise with hope alive,
and still they rise.

Apostle Junia leads,
and Deacon Phoebe prays.
Joanna does good deeds;
Priscilla shows the Way.
And still they rise,
and still they rise with hope alive,
and still they rise.

Like sisters long ago,
we often are ignored;
still Holy Wisdom shows
us all Her Way to soar.
And still we rise,
and still we rise with hope alive,
and still we rise.                                   

Words © 2016 Jann Aldredge-Clanton      DARWALL