I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

I spent two hours listening to my mother talk on New Year’s Day. On one occasion, when she let me get a word in, I reminded her about the year she left my father and bought a house. We spent a great majority of our free time dancing to the following song as it blared on our stereo. Although I’m sure the prospect of being alone terrified her, I remember that period as the most fun I’ve ever had with my mom.

Suddenly, I had to hear the song again. I downloaded it on iTunes and played it for her over the phone. The words remain fantastically motivating and empowering for women, so I thought I’d share it with you via video:

I Am Woman Lyrics
(Helen Reddy and Ray Burton)

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an’ pretend
‘Cause I’ve heard it all before
And I’ve been down there on the floor
No one’s ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
‘Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land
But I’m still an embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman

If I have to, I can face anything…