En janvier 1912, les ouvrières, en majorité immigrées, des usines textiles de Lawrence (Massachusetts) arrêtent le travail après une réduction de salaire.
Les grévistes ne se contentent pas de réclamer des améliorations matérielles : du pain, oui, mais des roses aussi — Bread and roses.
As we come marching marching in the beauty of the dayA million darkened kitchen a thousand mill lofts greyAre touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun disclosesFor the people hear us singing Bread and roses ! Bread and rosesAs we come marching marching we battle too for menOur brothers in the struggle and together we will winOur lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closesHearts starve as well as bodies give us bread but give us rosesAs we come marching marching un numbered women deadGo crying through our singing their ancient cry for breadSmall art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knewYes it is bread that we fight for but we fight for roses tooAs we come marching marching we bring the greater daysFor the rising of the women raises up the human raceNo more the drudge and idler millions toil where one reposesBut a sharing of life’s glories Bread and roses Bread and roses
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