Votes for Women. Suffrage Rallying Song

Files

M 9 B 231 Adele Clark Votes for Women cover rsz.jpg
M 9 B 231 Adele Clark Votes for Women p1 rsz.jpg
M 9 B 231 Adele Clark Votes for Women p2 rsz.jpg

Title

Votes for Women. Suffrage Rallying Song

Description

Musical score.

Published in 1915, this suffrage rallying song was composed by Marie and Edward Zimmerman of Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell on the cover reminded women to “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof” as they sought the right to vote.
The song is dedicated to Anna Howard Shaw, president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, and “the Great Cause of Woman Suffrage.”

Transcription: 

"What means this 'Votes for Women'? 
Just this the time has come
When they may voice with freemen 
Concerns of land and home!

Then, snap the ancient tether
Enthralling us too long,
And stoutly pull together 
To right a grievous wrong!

The votes of sisters, mothers,
In ev'ry sovereign state,
For us and many others 
May light the gloom of fate;

The joyless haunt of drudges
Where children toil and die
May find these votes the judges
That ask the reason why!

Then, sisters of our nation, 
Put forth your mighiest nerve, 
Remember with elation
The glorious cause you serve!

Enlist your best endeavor, 
What ever that may be;
With "Votes for Women" ever,
Press on to victory!"


Creator

Zimmerman, Edward M. (words)
Zimmerman, Marie (music)

Source

M 9 Box 231, Adèle Goodman Clark papers, 1849-1978, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries

Date

1915

Contributor

Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, VCU Libraries

Rights

This item is in the public domain. Acknowledgement of the Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is requested.

Notes

Learn more: 
Music & Social Reform, Social Welfare History Project
Suffrage in the South: The Poll Tax, Social Welfare History Project
Suffrage in the South Part II: The One Party System, Social Welfare History Project

Citation

Zimmerman, Edward M. (words) Zimmerman, Marie (music), “Votes for Women. Suffrage Rallying Song,” Social Welfare History Image Portal, accessed December 4, 2024, https://images.socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/items/show/18.