I see you, Alyssa!

how much we need the era-

if we pass the era, we cant restrict abortion.
but abortion restriction have nothing to do w women's rights.

i will never understand why this line of argument is never turned on it's head.

Cheers from the audience!

Or is it to put Congress' stamp on the first ratification?

What's the ultimate goal?

Whatever happens, it's been way too long in coming.

Story

This was "the" rally song for the ERA campaign...I sang this all over the country. This particular day, June 30, 1982, it was raining, and the ERA time period expired that day, but we all did our very best!
Lyrics

1. It was 50 years ago

An amendment was proposed

to make the law state men and women equal

But little did we know

Just how long the fight would go

And even now, we're working on its sequel

chorus:

So no more debate because we can't wait

We demand equality today

And it's fight we must to make the law just

ERA - ERA - ERA!

2. "I'm only Adam's rib

Keep me safe within my crib!"

Ms. Shifty cries while working women labor

"Any girl who needs to work

Should find a man, or she's a jerk,

And if she don't know her place,

Who cares what they pay her?" (We do!)

chorus

3. Said the main who's been laid off,

"How can I support this stuff?

The boss tells me you'll make more competition."

She said, "Find work if you can

But not just cause you're a man

Let's work side by side in factory and kitchen!"

chorus

4. Said the sargeant with a sneer,

"Well then tell me something dear,

Are you willing to be drafted with the others?"

She answered, "Yes, and more,

I will not support your war,

I will resist and fight beside my brothers!"

chorus

5. Now the day is close at hand

That across this lovely land

Those who try to keep us down will be defeated!

So help us speed the day,

Shout the word, it's ERA!

Till the era of equality is greeted!

Story

I completed this song on the way to the big Springfield rally for the Equal Rights Amendment, in 1982, I believe. I was frantically dictating the notes and chords to Laurie Haag, who played bass with me, and we debuted it right there on the spot.

It quickly took off and was sung at many rallies, conventions, pickets, benefits - you name it. Women just spontaneously raised their arms overhead and swayed as they sang it, and that is the image that is captured on the cover of my third album, We Will Never Give Up, performed in Lafayette Park, Washington D.C. on June 30, 1982.

I will never forget how it felt to see a huge throng of women, men, and children singing and swaying to this song!


Lyrics

I am asking everything you have to give...

We will never give up

We will never give in

You will lose your youth, your sleep,

your arches, your strength,

your patience, your sense of humor

And occasionally, the love and support

of people you love very much.

But we will never give up,

We will never give in.

In return, I have nothing to offer you but this:

Your pride in being a woman,

all the dreams that you have for your daughters

Your pride in being a woman,

all the dreams that you have for yourself.

We will never give up,

We will never give in

And the knowledge that, at the end of your days,

you will be able to look back and say,

I never gave up,

I never gave in,

We never gave up,

We never gave in,

We will never give up,

We will never give in

Until justice is ours!