I Was Here Lyrics

Song Facts:

• Genre: Musical Theater
• Lyricist and Composer: Shaina Taub
• Premiere: Public Theater, New York City
• Awards: Drama Desk Award Nominee

Creation

The sequence for "I Was Here" was one of the most challenging parts of SUFFS to develop. Originally, a song called "I Wasn’t There" occupied this spot. It broke the fourth wall, with the suffragists lamenting how the 19th amendment was signed into law behind closed doors by a man, leaving them absent from this pivotal moment. This song, an elegy of erasure, was heartbreakingly beautiful but ultimately too somber. It deprived the audience of the celebration they deserved after supporting the characters' struggles throughout the show. Balancing the show's thesis of the incompletion of political and social victories with the need for a celebratory moment was difficult. Although "I Wasn’t There" always transitioned into a phone call scene between Ida, Mary, and Phyllis, which felt right from the beginning, the removal of "I Wasn’t There" left a gap that needed filling. To bridge this, I incorporated a celebratory moment from "The March" (“I’ve never felt so alive before”), leading into the phone call scene, now set against an underscore. This is where "Terrell’s Theme" reappeared, reversed, with the daughter encouraging the mother to persevere. Despite these adjustments, the moment still felt incomplete, even as I aimed to capture a sense of incompletion. Reflecting on "The March," I realized the theme, “I want my mother to know I was here / I want my great-granddaughter to know I was here,” could transform into something more profound. Rather than the characters acknowledging their erasure, it would be more impactful for the audience to realize, "I had no idea you were there." Thus, in the final version of the scene, Mary, Ida, and Phyllis sing this theme, evolving the lyric to, “I want your great-granddaughter to know / I need her to know I was here.” This direct address to the audience becomes a demand for remembrance from the ancestors, creating a powerful and resonant conclusion to the sequence.

Annotations and Meaning of "I Was Here":

The song "I Was Here" from the musical "Suffs" is a powerful anthem of identity and legacy. It explores themes of community, struggle, and the desire to leave a lasting impact. Here is a detailed analysis of the song's key lines and their meanings:

"I've never felt so alive before.
Out here together, I realize I'm not alone anymore."

The opening lines express a newfound sense of vitality and connection. The singer feels energized and no longer isolated, highlighting the importance of community and solidarity.

"I feel a part of something bigger than me, something bigger.
It's opening.
I feel my world completely changed.
I finally feel it change."

These lines emphasize a personal transformation. The character recognizes they are part of a larger movement. The repeated mention of change underscores the significant impact this realization has on their life.

"Hello, Ida Well, speaking!
It's Mary here with Phyllis in Nashville.
Mary, what happened?
It passed.
They did it.
We did it."

This dialogue marks a pivotal moment of triumph. The successful passing of a significant event (likely a suffrage-related law) is celebrated, showcasing the collective effort and the joy of victory.

"Go on now, tell me how much easier this all would have been without my troublemaking.
Not this time.
I bet all the white ladies were crying rivers, huh?"

The speaker acknowledges their role as a 'troublemaker,' challenging the status quo. The mention of "white ladies crying rivers" hints at the racial tensions and resistance faced by suffragettes of color.

"But me and Mama, we danced our way right out of the state house, didn't we?
Your mama dancing?
Now I would like to see that."

These lines mix humor and joy. The idea of dancing out of the state house symbolizes a celebratory escape from oppression and a light-hearted moment amid the serious struggle.

"They'll still stop our women from voting,
Same as they do to our men.
I know, but I'm so tired of fighting."

Despite the victory, there's an acknowledgment of ongoing struggles. The speaker is weary from the continuous battle for rights, reflecting the exhaustion that comes with long-term activism.

"And so, lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go.
Say it, Mama.
And so, lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go.
And so, lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go."

This refrain is a call to collective progress. "Lifting as we climb" signifies helping others while advancing, a core principle of the suffrage movement and social justice work.

"I want my mother to know I was here.
I want my sisters to know I was here.
I want my great-granddaughter to know I was here.
I was here.
I want your mother to know I was here.
I want your children to know I was here.
I want your great-granddaughter to know.
I need her to know I was here."

The concluding lines are a powerful assertion of presence and legacy. The speaker desires recognition and remembrance across generations. It underscores the importance of being acknowledged and leaving a mark on history. The song "I Was Here" beautifully captures the emotions, struggles, and triumphs of the suffrage movement, highlighting the significance of every individual's contribution to a larger cause.