The March of the Dolls

[Verse 1] Long before the shelves, they moved in secret light Cloth and thread and bright eyes, passing through the night Little hands stitched purpose into every seam Mocking all the gatekeepers with a hidden dream [Pre-Chorus] Under aprons, under coats, the message changed its form Soft enough to carry, quiet enough to charm [Chorus] March of the dolls March of the dolls Carry the years Carry us all March of the dolls March of the dolls They stood so small Then stood for us all [Verse 2] When the great war called the town, they answered in the mould Porcelain left the dressing table, sewn in gray and gold Overalls and breeches hung where ribbons used to lie Conductor caps and work boots for a different kind of pride [Pre-Chorus] Factories were humming, stations took their share Fields and foundries filled with women meeting history there [Chorus] March of the dolls March of the dolls Carry the years Carry us all March of the dolls March of the dolls They stood so small Then stood for us all [Bridge] Not just toys in painted rooms Not just faces on a shelf They watched the world re-order And they became it, too, them selves [Final Chorus] March of the dolls March of the dolls Carry the years Carry us all March of the dolls March of the dolls Silent and bold They taught the world to stand tall