Still Strong
A song to celebrate 40 years of West Mercia Women' s Aid.
About the work
Commissioned by West Mercia Women' s Aid, we created a song that their newly formed choir could sing to mark 40 years since the organisation was launched. The piece honours the courage and resilience of the women who founded it along with those who rely on its support.
How we made it
Working to a careful brief from the team at WMWA, Estelle wrote the lyrics using a numbers structure that echoes the courageous first steps abused women took and continue to take forty years since the organisation was formed, recognising further the commitment to pushing ahead on the path to empowerment no matter how long it takes.
Once the lyrics were approved by the team, Estelle worked closely with our composer Billy to develop a song that is positive, driven and empowering for the choir to sing.
The Women' s Aid choirleader, Meg, taught the choir the song and a short film was made by Rural Media as the group planted a commemorative tree next to Hereford’s Mill Pond.
Performances
Performed by the West Mercia Women' s Aid choir at the commemorative tree-planting ceremony in autumn 2023.
The song was nominated for a Smiley Award and continues to be performed by the choir at WMWA events.
Crew
Lyrics – Estelle van Warmelo
Music – Billy Lambert
Still Strong Lyrics
Intro – (free rhythm)
Solo
Time was, we had no song in us
No dance in our feet which were glued to the kitchen floor
Time was, three women round one table
Took their song back
Called for more voices as they pushed back in their seats
Rolled up their sleeves and kicked the slippers off their feet
Held their heads high and threw wide all the closed doors
Pre chorus (Choir hum under)
From the very first step from the very first voice
From the very first call onward
We’ve been 40 long years in taking back our song
Taking back our song
Chorus
One hand to call and two feet to stand
And three steps to walk through the door
40 years on but there may be more of
dancing our very own song
Piano break
Verse (Solos)
Time was, I dialled the number many times before I spoke
And many more before I made my choice
Now I’m in my own skin, so watch this space
I found my own rhythm, I’ve found my grace
Found my feet, my heart, my voice.
Pre chorus
From the very first note, from the very first breath
From the very first move forward
We’ve been 40 long years in taking back our song
Taking back our song
Chorus
One hand to call two feet to stand
And three steps to walk through the door
40 years on but there may be more of
Dancing our very own song
Ahhh, ahhh
Verse
Many times, she made the choices and many times she has changed
Now her heels kick higher and higher as she steps out
She strides down the street with a swing and a sway
She knows her own road, her direction
She knows her path, her heart, she knows her way
Pre chorus
From the very first step from the very first voice
From the very first call onward
We’ve been 40 long years in taking back our fire
Taking back our fire
Bridge
Still going, still growing, still dancing, still strong
Still going, still growing, still dancing, still strong
Still going, still growing, still dancing, still strong
Still going, still growing, still dancing, still strong
If it takes a hundred years, we’re going to keep on singing now
keep on carving doors in those walls
If it takes a hundred years, we’re going to keep on singing now
keep on carving doors in those walls
If it takes a hundred years, we’re going to keep on singing now
keep on carving doors in those walls
If it takes a hundred years, we’re going to keep on singing now
keep on carving doors in those walls
If it takes a hundred years, we’re going to keep on, keep on singing now
Chorus
One hand to call two feet to stand
Three steps to walk through the door
40 years on but there may be more
Of dancing our very own song
dancing our very own song
dancing our very own song
dancing our very own song
From now on