"Awake and Arise": a feminist anthem - Updated

Cross-posted to WAVE (Women Advocating for Voice and Equality).

A week or two ago I was driving home from somewhere or other and thinking about something I wrote in my angry post:

It's time for us to "arise from the dust, my sisters, and be women, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that we may not remain in captivity." Indeed, "Awake, my sisters; put on our armor of righteousness.  Shake off the chains with which we are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."  (Likened from 2 Nephi 1:21, 23)

I started humming and in a few minutes I had the rough idea for what turned into an anthem.  I could hear a snappy, staccato rhythm and a unison chorus of women's voices.

Detail from "The Awakening" ©Jonathon Earl Bowser

Awake and arise, my sisters,
Awake and arise, my friends!
Arise from the dust (Come shake off your dust?)
For labor we must.
It's time for our work to begin.

Awake and arise, my sisters,
Awake and arise, my friends!
Let's cast off the chains
Of heartache and shame
It's time for oppression to end.

Awake and arise, my sisters.
Awake and arise, brethren.
Like forests we stand
Across every land
United as women and men.

Other ideas came and went and were written down and altered, and while [I think] they're [mostly] great, they're just one woman's perspective.  My vision for this anthem is 7-12 verses (they're short after all) encompassing a much broader and more inclusive scope.  I'd like to have a variety of experiences, perspectives and subjects covered.  I want there to be something that just about everyone can identify with as a call to action in life.

So I'm opening it up to the audience!  Compose your own verse(s) and submit them for consideration.

• Meter: 87558
• Rhyme scheme: ABCCB
• Basic tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFaJeIgmVt4
• The first two lines don't have to be the same as the verses above 

Updated dates: Submissions are open until October 7th.  I'll be deciding on the final draft with a preselected committee and announce a decision Friday, October 14th.  Winners will get co-authorship credit and the opportunity to participate in later recording, if desired.  Submissions will be accepted at likeuntoeve (at) gmail (dot) com.