“Nevertheless, She Persisted,” Song for the Movement

Recently Senator Elizabeth Warren had an experience most women can identify with. She was told to sit down and shut up. In opposition to a cabinet appointment, she was trying to read a Coretta Scott King letter. A little later, three of her male colleagues were allowed to read this letter on the Senate floor.

In silencing Elizabeth Warren, the Senate Majority leader said, “She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” Women all around the country related to her experience, and we took up the rallying cry, “Nevertheless, She Persisted.”

I began thinking of women who have persisted in spite of efforts to stifle them, and I wrote this song “Nevertheless, She Persisted” to the tune of “I Shall Not Be Moved.” You have my permission to print this song with my copyright at the bottom and/or to use the song in any venue.

Nevertheless, She Persisted

She persisted, she persisted still;

she persisted, she persisted still;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Miriam, the prophet, led the Israelites;

she got little praise for her part in the flight;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Mary Magdalene gave witness to the Word,

yet they tried to keep her voice from being heard;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Sojourner Truth claimed her prophetic voice,

yet they tried to squelch her, take away her choice;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Madame Curie found the cures to many ills,

yet they tried to question her scientific skills;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Congresswoman Chisholm ran for President,

yet they said she knew not what the office meant;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Katherine Johnson’s figures launched us into space,

yet they undermined her gender and her race;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Senator Liz Warren spoke truth with all her power,

yet they tried to hush her in the crucial hour;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

She persisted, she persisted still;

she persisted, she persisted still;

nevertheless, she persisted boldly;

she persisted still.

 

Words © 2017 Jann Aldredge-Clanton                     I SHALL NOT BE MOVED