Music of the Civil Rights Movement
​Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. named the gospel song "People get ready" by the Impressions​ the unofficial anthem of the civil rights movement. An anthem is a song that acts like a flag for an organization or cause. It represents the themes and values of a that cause. Listen for what those themes might be. How does the song portray the message?
1. People get ready, there's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord
2. So, people get ready for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em
There's hope for all among those loved the most
3. There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Who would hurt all mankind just to save his own, (believe me now)
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there's no hiding place against the kingdom's throne
1. So, people get ready, there's a train a-comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord
2. "We shall overcome" is a song written by Charles Tindley in 1901. It became so popular in the civil rights movement in the 1960s that President Lyndon B. Johnson referred to it in a speech to Congress in March of 1965 after the violent attacks on civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama. Many notable artists including gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson have recorded it.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading the march at Selma, Alabama.
The version you will find in the link above is by Pete Seeger who was a song leader at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. The video shows Seeger teaching it to students in West Germany. Why might he have taught it to Germans?
1. We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day
​​REFRAIN: Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome some day
2. We'll walk hand in hand... REFRAIN
3. We shall live in peace... REFRAIN
4. We are not afraid... REFRAIN
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