Music – The Federal Theatre Project

THE FEDERAL THEATRE PROJECT
MUSIC

“Solidarity Forever/Together: An Anthem for the Federal Theatre Project”

Sung to the tune of "John Brown's Body" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

New lyrics by: K. Beazley, N. Friess-Schilling, C. Harris, E. Hughes, J. Lemon, A. Nelson, E. Perez-Vera, C. Stapleton, and N. Zirk

We invite you to sing along to our version of the 1915 union rally song “Solidarity Forever” by Ralph Chaplin. The original lyrics were inspired by striking miners at Paint Creek-Cabin Creek, in West Virginia. Our version of the song shares the story of the Federal Theatre Project: 1935-1939.

Chorus

Solidarity forever!

For the project keeps us strong.

It’s 1935 we come together on the stage,

To share with all the people the ideas from the page.

The news- the grief- the life-the fight and pure united rage,

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity forever!

For the project makes us strong.

When the theatre’s inspiration through the writer’s pen shall run,

There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;

Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity forever!

For the project makes us strong.

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,

Who would censor all our voices and would crush us with his mic?

Is there nothing left for us, but to dramatize and fight?

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity forever!

For the project makes us strong.

It is we who started the movement; set the stages where they play;

Hung the lights and built the scenes, endless nights of workshops made;

Now we stand outcast and starving ’midst the wonders we have made;

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity forever!

For the project makes us strong.

It is we who wrote the histories, wrote the songs of modern day.

We who go to all the cities – in this country that we play.

With the power of the people we can right our nation’s wrongs.

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity together!

For the project makes us strong.

All the world’s a stage, for you and me. No one stands alone.

We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward show by show.

It is ours to lift and celebrate, and claim it as our own.

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity together!

For the project makes us strong.

Our country’s run by government that’s meant for you and me.

Can’t we take care of each other in this fraught democracy?

Take a bow and see your neighbor from the sea to shining sea,

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity together!

For the project makes us strong.

When the theatre’s inspiration through the player’s blood shall run,

There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;

Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,

But the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity together!

For the project makes us strong.

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,

Greater than the Dies Committee, multiplied a thousand-fold.

We can bring to birth a new world from the wonder of the old,

For the theatre makes us strong.

Chorus

Solidarity together!

For the project keeps us strong.

Back to our theatre

Perry Bruskin • Martin Dies • Hallie Flanagan (1935) • Hallie Flanagan (1939) • Rosamond Gilder • Susan Glaspell • Hazel Huffman • Frida Kahlo • Mary Merrill • Virginia Nicholson • Elmer Rice • Eleanor Roosevelt (1935) • Eleanor Roosevelt (1939) • Franklin Delano Roosevelt • Olive Stanton • Helen Tamiris • Orson Welles • Artwork • Collaborators • Directors’ Note • Front Page Tableau • Music • Pen Pals • Research/Source Material • Share Your Thoughts • Special Thanks