Artist & Tune
About the Song
This track is on Flynn's "Vintage" album.
The song was inspired by an expression "Nevertheless, she persisted" adopted by the feminist movement, especially US. It became popular in 2017 after the US Senate voted to require Senator Elizabeth Warren to stop speaking during the confirmation hearings of Jeff Sessions as US Attorney General. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made this remark during his comments following the vote. The expression went viral.
Chelsea Clinton subsequently published a children's picture book called She Persisted, focusing on 13 American women who stood up for what they believed. (The 3rd video above contains a reading of Clinton's children's book.)
The driver said "I don't know
What the hell
you think you're proving
?"
Rosa said "I paid my dime
And,
Mister, I'm not moving"
(up 4) C - / Em - / C - / Em -
She was warned
It was explained to her
Nevertheless she persisted!
F - / G - / FG C - (Em - )
Malala said "I'm sorry but
I won't follow your rules
I am not afraid
And I'm not
staying home from school"
(bridge) Through the years the moral arc
Of this old universe
Slowly bends toward justice
Due to stubbornness like hers
F - / Em - / F - / G -
Chastised for words once written
By a woman named Coretta
She tried to finish speaking
But her colleagues wouldn't let her
So do not try to bully her
'Cause she won't back away
From a fight that you'll regret
Each time you try to say
(final chorus) She was warned
It was explained to her
Nevertheless she resisted
Nevertheless she persisted
- lyrics & music by John Flynn. (c) 2017 Flying Stone Music. Used by permission.