Tune: Battle Hymn of the Republic, written by Julia Ward Howe
Howe later wrote a “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870 as a pacifist reaction to the Civil War, calling on mothers to come together on a specific day to protest the sad loss of life in war.
The bloody civil war was done
And Julia Howe was sad.
And angered by the carnage
It had been so very bad.
She sent out a call for action
To the women of the land
Let the mothers march for peace.
Sing for peace and social justice
March for peace and social justice
Work for peace and social justice
Make the world a better place!
The struggle may seem endless
But the work must never cease
Take up the precious banner
And the ancient cry for peace.
Join in with your neighbors
And the folks from other lands –
We must all take a stand.
Sing for peace and social justice
March for peace and social justice
Work for peace and social justice
Make the world a better place!
Author: Granny Randy, Calgary Raging Grannies, 2005