“She Persisted Still,” sung by Min. DeShay W. Freemyer-Jackson
At a recent worship service of The Gathering, A Womanist Church, Rev. Dr. Dwalunda Alexander preached a powerful sermon titled “There You Go Starting Stuff” (Esther 1:17a). Dr. Alexander is the founder and curator of Preaching in Purple, a womanist space for centering the theological voices and thoughts of Black women.
At this service DeShay W. Freemyer- Jackson, Minister of Music & Worship Arts for The Gathering, sang “She Persisted Still.” I was inspired to write this song by Senator Elizabeth Warren’s bold stand to keep speaking after the Senate voted to require her to stop speaking during the confirmation of Senator Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General. Following the Senate ruling to silence Senator Warren, Senator McConnell said on the Senate floor: “Senator Warren was giving a lengthy speech. She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.” This expression “Nevertheless She Persisted” went viral as people posted it on social media with references to other women’s persistence in breaking barriers, despite being silenced or ignored.
Refrain:
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. Refrain
Mary Magdalene gave witness to the Word,
yet they tried to keep her voice from being heard;
nevertheless, she persisted boldly;
she persisted still. Refrain
Sojourner Truth claimed her prophetic voice,
yet they tried to squelch her, take away her choice;
nevertheless, she persisted boldly;
she persisted still. Refrain
Additional Stanzas:
Madame Curie found the cures to many ills,
yet they tried to question her scientific skills;
nevertheless, she persisted boldly;
she persisted still.
Prathia Hall preached truth with all her power,
yet they tried to stop her in the crucial hour;
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.
Words © 2017 Jann Aldredge-Clanton
From Inclusive Songs for Resistance & Social Action
Min. DeShay W. Freemyer-Jackson currently serves as Minister of Music & Worship Arts for The Gathering, A Womanist Church in Dallas, Texas, and for First Christian Church in Granbury, Texas. DeShay holds a Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School (Texas Christian University) with certificates in Black Church Studies and Gender and Sexual Justice and a Bachelor’s in Music Education from Culver-Stockton College. DeShay recently contributed a chapter to Colors of Hope: A Devotional Journal from LGBTQ+ Christians published by Chalice Press, March 2022. DeShay has performed as a solo and collaborative musician with a host of instrumental and vocal ensembles in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Texas, providing music at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, LA, Illinois Music Educators Conference, and multiple schools, churches, and homes. During their time at Brite Divinity, they served as vice-moderator for the Brite Black Seminarians student association and served on the chapel worship committee as music liaison, worship leader, and student vocal ensemble director. DeShay is seeking ordination with the Mid-America region of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. DeShay’s interests center the importance of Womanism and its influence on theology/spirituality, Black/LGBTQIA+ culture, music, and food.