The Texas Fifty-One (Quorum-Breakers’ Gospel)

Verse 1 Gene Wu called the caucus, Trey Fischer raised his hand, Rafael Anchia, Gina Hinojosa, Jasmine Crockett took a stand. Jessica González brought her guitar, James Talarico sang along; Nicole Collier, Jolanda Jones – oh hear the freedom song! Chorus We’re the Texas Fifty-One, crossing state lines when the maps turn wrong, Breaking quorum to shine a light on racist schemes that don’t belong. Black and Brown, LGBTQ, women’s voices in the fight, Saying “rights are not for sale, and nobody owns our lives tonight.” Verse 2 From Austin up to DC and now to Illinois and beyond, We brought our babies and our partners, singing protest songs. We won’t be forced to bear the children of the patriarchy’s dreams, While women die from callous laws and votes behind the scenes. Bridge We’ve seen Jim Crow’s return disguised as “protection of the vote”; Yet still we hold the line for those whose voices hit a note. Folk-heroes of the modern South, we circle round the sun, Until every Texan – Black or white, queer or straight – can sing as one.