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Songs and More

All of these songs, poems, and works of art were created by members of the Respect for Girls Project

RESPECT FOR GIRLS
A song by Elizabeth and Paul Kaku, 

sister and brother, written January 2021 in Sierra Leone

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Eh eh  eh  Hmmm-mmm……….[Sing 3x]

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VERSE 1

We are the pride and the future of the world

We stand tall, and won’t allow no more pain 

We are girls of pride and dignity 

We know our rights and therefore we will stand firm……..

 


CHORUS

We are tired of the pain 

Tired of the shame 

Tired of humiliation

We are tired of the suffering 

Tired of harassment

Tired of all the troubles

Respect …………girls ……….[2x]

For the future of tomorrow lies in our hands    

Please respect us ……..[2x]

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VERSE 2

Girls are the future leaders of tomorrow

Without them the world will be empty

So please let’s stand against sexual harassment 

So please let’s stand against early marriage 

So please let’s stand against child trafficking … [2x]

​

 

REPEAT CHORUS

GIRLS GOT TO BE AS ONE

A song by Jessica Adima Choloply Wilson, written January 2021 in Sierra Leone

 

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We as girls we got to be as one.

One heart, one love.

We as girls we got to be as one.

One heart, one love.

We will never look back, we will never look aside. 

Ay, yi, yi, yea, yea.

 

We as girls, we are stronger than ever,

We as girls, we are stronger together.

One heart, one love.

We will never look back, we will never look aside.

Ay, yi, yi, yea, yea.

We got to be as one.

Songs to honor the work of inspiring women

 

MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE

A song by Sarah Pirtle

 

Matilda Joslyn Gage (1826-1898)

Women’s rights activist whose work focuses the Gage Ambassadors,

One of the three circles that started Respect For Girls.

 

https://sarahpirtle.com/hope-sings/matilda-joslyn-gage.htm

 

BALLAD OF JUANITA NELSON

A song by Sarah Pirtle

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Juanita Nelson. (1923-2015)

At sixteen in the 1930’s Juanita refused to move to the back of the bus

on a segregated train and as a Howard student participated in some of the first sit-ins.

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https://sarahpirtle.com/hope-sings/the-balland-of-juanita-nelson.htm

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Lyrics: Whatever age I be 

I will follow what’s true for me.

Oh, the world can’t change me. 

The truth inside has claimed me.

I must do what I feel is true.

 

ELANDRIA

A song by Sarah Pirtle

​

Elandria Williams. (1979-2020)

Social justice leader who said “show up and love relentlessly.”

 

https://sarahpirtle.com/hope-sings/elandria.htm

 

Song to honor the truth telling by women that transforms violence.

 

HOLDING THE LIGHT

A song by Sarah Pirtle 

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https://sarahpirtle.com/hope-sings/holding-the-light.htm

 

Dedicated to Sister Dianna Ortiz. (1958-2021)

In 1998 she founded TASSC — Torture Abolition Survivors Support Coalition.

Lyrics: We hold the light with a million and five.

Becoming that truth force that will always survive.

00:00 / 04:56
00:00 / 03:57
00:00 / 03:58
00:00 / 02:32

THE ERA OF EQUALITY

a poem by Thomas Richmond Kamara

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Upon the arrival of birth

Came in the creation of ribs

Every mannish was made in bath

We had no wizard, no witch

It was given with love aftermath

Our bones were pillars like a swimming fish

Sweet we taste in our mouths

And sweet we taste in the mouth of this

 

They are what we are 

Successful souls of the sun and moon

Made the bricks of muscles here and there

Patient breast giving milks in full

Responsibility grows in homes without fear

Strong hearts even in pains they act cool

Our dears are love and care

They are like liabilities and strong tools


 

Their eyes are always dry

Dry in pain and tears like Abel

They have become drums and unsatisfactory 

Assaults of all kinds are rang like bell

When their compliments are uncomplimentary 

Opportune souls are marginalized well

Young bundles are used in harsh disciplinary 

No voice as they are hidden as squirrel


 

With their cries and hopes 

Love and missed coats are left to cold

Let bodies of foreign and national put folds 

Bringing all act of laws to oath

Let the words of John Locke bring hold

Actions of discrimination need notes

What are you to decide the fate of one?

Made out of image and be warm   

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