Women’s History Month: Liberation’s Dawn
March 2026
Dear Friends in Faith,
In Colorado, we’ve had a winter that hasn’t quite shown up, yet March is here, and now spring isn’t far off. This month is an important time for honoring Women’s History. Our Hymn of the Month, “Liberation’s Dawn,” is my original composition celebrating the unbroken spirit that binds us in honest love and compassion. Below are the lyrics of this month’s new hymn and songs written by women whose calls to rise together toward freedom inspired me, as I hope they do you. May these songs, both old and new, remind us to walk boldly into spring’s light.
First, I want to share Nina Simone‘s powerful “Mississippi Goddam” (1963). Written in fierce response to the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that tragically killed four girls as they were getting ready for Sunday school. These two versions best capture Simone’s righteous outrage at Live in Antibes 1965 and Live at Newport in 1966.
Many UU’s know Actress, Activist, and Singer-Songwriter, Holly Near as the writer of “We are a Gentle, Angry People” and “Singing for Our Lives” in our hymnal. I find her lesser known song “It Could Have Been Me,” particularly meaningful for our times. Written in response to the 1970 Kent State massacre where as thousands protested the Vietnam War, four unarmed students were killed and nine wounded. This recording of “It Could Have Been Me” on Near’s 1975 A Live Album holds an important and timeless message.
The last song I’d like to share, in recognition of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, is “I See The Light” from the movie, Tangled. In the film, Rapunzel dreams of seeing the floating lantern lights. The song plays while Flynn Ryder helps her fulfill that dream. Many transgender and gay people hear this song as an ode to self-discovery and realizing the person you are truly meant to be.
I hope you enjoy all of these voices of resilience and solidarity. I look forward to hearing your voice added to the chorus of liberation and freedom as we sing the words of new Our Monthly Hymn together during worship this month.
Liberation’s Dawn
Verse 1
Scarred but unbroken, we build toward liberation,
Bound by honest love that holds us to our calling.
We will not be broken by the struggles that have marked us,
For love alone will carry us to freedom.
Chorus
We will walk this road together, guided by each other’s hand.
We’ll rise and stumble, bracing through the storm,
To reach our liberation’s dawn.
Verse 2
Bearing our kindness boldly as we struggle,
For humble, fierce commitment keeps us bound together.
Choosing compassion over pride through every trial,
Grace and mercy light the way to freedom.
Verse 3
Freed from the shadows that narrow and divide us,
We lay down our stories that keep us small and scattered.
Our eyes are opened wide to see each other truly,
Awe and wonder leading us to freedom.
May these songs inspire us to walk boldly into spring’s light.
In allyship,
Paul
Paul Ermisch
Music Arts Coordinator
Bridges: A Unitarian Universalist Network
Phone (720-336-8323
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