Send in a thousand grandmothers,
They will surely volunteer.
With their ancient wisdom flowing,
They will lend a loving ear.

First they’ll form a loving circle
Around the wounded wing,
Then contain the brutal beasts of war
Sweet freedom songs they’ll sing!

A lullaby much stronger
Than bombs and threats to kill,
A force unlike we’ve ever seen
Will break the murder’s will.

To the prisons we’ll invite them.
The most violent men will weep,
When a 1000 women hold them strong
And pray their souls to keep.

Let them rock the few who steal the most,
And rule with youthful charms,
So they’ll see the damage that they do,
And will fall into grandma’s arms.
Two thousand loving arms

If you think these women are too soft
To face the world at hand,
Then you’ve never known the power of love
And you fail to understand

An old woman holds a powerful force
When she no longer needs to please.
She can cut your shallow life to bits,
And bring you to your knees

We best get down on our knees
And pray for a thousand grandmothers!
Will you please come volunteer?
No longer tucked deep out of sight,
Will you bring your power here?
Will you bring your power here?

–By social activist and dynamite folk singer Holly Near from her album “Edge.” Copyright 1999 Hereford Music (ASCAP), and reprinted here with permission.