Sojourn Project Music Companion

MUSIC COMPANION

Original Lyrics & Music

“His songs talk about things that we learned on Sojourn, but they also talk about being active, being social, making change. It’s a response to social conditions and encouraging young people to participate in their own rights and responsibilities.

In the end, it’s about a number of people who have a similar experience and a similar set of social justice ideas. It seems simple, but people love singing, people long for peace.”

Minnijean Brown-Trickey

Be the Change

Heard the call from California

Made the haul down to Alabama

March 7, 1965

Brothers and sisters marching for their rights

Be the change you wish to see

Be the change

Be the change you wish to see

Be the change

Our actions change our destiny

Whatcha gonna do, whatcha gonna believe

Will you stand up and say non-violence my way

Have the courage to say today’s the day

Be the change you wish to see

Be the change

Be the change you wish to see

Be the change, make some history

Didn’t think he felt, knew it was right

Gonna make a move, step up and be a light

Actions speak louder than words

Reverend Olsen’s actions, a megaphone

Be the change you wish to see

Be the change

Be the change you wish to see

Be the change, change our destiny

Dream

My friend, Dr. King Coming to Tennessee

Don’t ask what will happen to me

Workers’ rights, a march he’ll lead

Stormy night, April 3rd

Place was packed, prophetic words

Promised Land, we’re gonna reach I might not get there, set me free

Promised Land, we’re gonna reach

I might not get there, set me free

April 4, in the afternoon

Three preachers hanging out in a room

One last hour with you my friend

Stepped outside, kapow, the end

Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness

Let us stand with a greater determination

And let us move in these powerful days, these days of challenge

To make America what it ought to be, we have an opportunity

To make America a better nation.

To make America a better nation

Hattiesburg ’66

Vernon and his wife Ellie fine, beautiful kids eyes out the window sleepin’ in shifts

Hattiesburg ’66

Provided a place to go a few bucks, a chance to vote to any who needed a lift with all he freely mixed

Hattiesburg ’66

Going on the air to make a change he dared a system he wanted to fix the standard he tried to lift

Hattiesburg ’66

‘Cause a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do a man’s gotta do his own thinking, too

Lived in constant danger empowered the oppressed for justice to be met his life he put at risk

Hattiesburg '66

‘Cause a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do a man’s gotta do his own thinking, too x2

‘Cause a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do a man’s gotta do his own thinking, too. x2

I have a dream

I have a dream for you and for me I have a dream 3 4

I have a dream Summer of 63 Words inspire me Words of Dr. King Equal rights for all Prejudice would fall For freedom to choose For rights we will not lose

I have a dream Summer of 63 Words inspire me Words of Dr King Equal rights for all Prejudice would fall For freedom to choose For rights we will not lose

Don’t let them take it away Don’t let them put you in chains

Standing side by side With no hate to hide Justice equality

Standing side by side With no hate to hide Justice equality Like a mighty stream

Like a mighty stream

Don’t let them take it away Don’t let them put you in chains

Yes we can, we can start again We can find that promised land Find courage to make a stand We have a new opportunity to spread a little bit more liberty a little more peace, a little more harmony we can share in our prosperity don’t have to give up security we can treat our neighbors with dignity with a bit more humility, with a little more humanity we can believe there is a new future to see we can make history we can realize that dream we can do what’s right, we can unite we can call for peace a chance to dream, a chance to believe let freedom ring ring ring let freedom ring from every mountaintop from sea to shining sea

Yes we can, we can start again We can find that promised land Find courage to make a stand We have a new opportunity to spread a little bit more liberty a little more peace, a little more harmony we can share in our prosperity don’t have to give up security we can treat our neighbors with dignity with a bit more humility, with a little more humanity we can believe there is a new future to see we can make history we can realize that dream we can do what’s right, we can unite we can call for peace a chance to dream, a chance to believe let freedom ring ring ring let freedom ring from every mountaintop from sea to shining sea I have a dream for you and for me I have a dream

Little Rock Nine

Central High School, Arkansas in 57, nine stood tall teenagers they led the way in the face of hatred, they changed our fate

the choose to be there, did what’s right challenged the system, non-violent fight facing the standard of segregation shaped the future, changed the nation

Little Rock Nine

outside in the school yard, Liz faced the mobs and that Governor said “do not cross” in came the Airborne, to let them pass assigned an escort to get to class

Little Rock Nine

they were harassed everyday inspiring bravery they turned away heads held high they walked the halls and Minni walked, like she belonged

Little Rock Nine

ordinary people do extraordinary things don’t be silent, don’ be afraid ordinary people do extraordinary things you might be someone’s hope someday

love will win

we’ve come too far to turn around now Stonewall to Orlando where a hate filled man with a gun in his hand

wrought unimaginable sorrow so we marched with pride, with tears in our eyes all the colors of the rainbow gonna speak out now, gonna be who we are we’re coming out in the open love will win

across the country, cities, small towns San Francisco to Brooklyn we’re facing their fears, their judging stares it takes courage to be a warrior fear will not be the thing that defines me hate is not a value and we will dream and continue to speak until we’re all free now

love will win

Minnijean

there goes Minni laughing again so lucky to be her friend peace and love, she gives great hugs keeps it real, a view from above

Minnijean, Minnijean

8

Once Upon a Time

When I was young I was right

Got together, organized

When I was young I was right

Got together, organized

Took the message to new heights

Made a change, did what’s right

Took the message to new heights

Made a change, did what’s right

Minnijean, Minnijean

Oh how we love you, Minnijean

so good, meets you where you’re at tequila shots and late night laughs listens with a nod and a smile so generous, and a little wild

Minnijean, Minnijean

When I was young, I was right

Stood tall and went to school

Sat the counter, took abuse

Stood tall and went to school

Put themselves on the line

Sat the counter, took abuse

Put themselves on the line

Crossed that bridge, crossed that line

When I was young, I was right

Minnijean, Minnijean

Oh how we love you, Minnijean

suffers no fools, likes breaking some rules speaking her mind all of the time thoughtful and kind, loves to unwind time with friends is a real good time

Minnijean, Minnijean

When I was young, I was right

Young people they amazed

Would not back down, would not fade

Songs of freedom on their mind

Would not back down, would not fade

Songs of freedom on their mind

Not gonna turn me around this time

When I was young, I was right

Minnijean, Minnijean

Oh how we love you, Minnijean

walked the halls, head high and a smile confidence, swagger and style reads piles of books, wide interests won’t shy away from profound ignorance

Minnijean, Minnijean

Stand up, speak your mind

Stand up, fight for rights

Stand up, speak your mind

Stand up, fight for rights

We can stand together, rise

Make a change, right is right

We can stand together, rise

Make a change, right is right

When I was young, I was right

Marchin’ and speakin’ out

Minnijean, Minnijean

Oh how we love you, Minnijean

not afraid of arrest, no silent witness full of wit and intelligence dignity been a lifelong key inspires, teaches, our Minnijean

Minnijean, Minnijean

Oh how we love you, Minnijean

Campaigns throughout the south

Marchin’ and speakin’ out

I am a man, took a stand

Campaigns throughout the south

I am a man, took a stand

Gonna find that promised land

peace sign

living on planet earth now gotta share this space all about what you give not get now we’re all one human race

living in san francisco sunset by the zoo

livin’ life the way I want to surfboard in my living room

much love to my brother, my sisters much love to my mates

much love to all the people all models and makes

say hello, aloha, hola smile today comes across in any language a little love goes a long long way

friend one time told me that she’d change the world by spreadin’ a little bit of good vibe a little bit at a time

and I say throw the peace sign throw it three times a day

and I say…throw the peace sign throw it three times a day

Perfect

stand up for justice power of a dream ripple of hope brings a mighty stream

you don’t have to be perfect to change the world

how long, not long if not us then who how long, not long time to get up and move

you don’t have to be perfect to change the world (x2)

we’re gonna make some changes we’re gonna get in the way bit of good trouble change is coming our way

you don’t have to be perfect to change the world (x2)

you don’t have to be perfect, no, you don’t need to be perfect to change the world

won’t stand on the sidelines we shall overcome stand up to oppression courage over caution we’re all in it together 99 the same we’re rockin’ the boat now and riding freedoms train

you don’t have to be perfect to change the world (x2)

you don’t have to be perfect, no, you don’t need to be perfect to change the world

Rock the Boat

saw a lynching when he was young there was nothing said, nothing done bloody clothes were the only message no news, there was no protest

with his brother he enlisted in the army to fight overseas in 1943 world war two he fought for freedom served with honor, became a sergeant came home a second class citizen got involved, in education organized, led demonstrations boycotted those service stations

rock the boat, rock the boat we’re supposed to rock the boat rock the boat, rock the boat Medgar, he rocked the boat

fought the powers in Mississippi state’s leading field secretary freedom fighter full of courage and bravery a teammate, the beautiful Myrlie the attention, it made them a target threatening calls, a bomb in the carport well aware of the ultimate price their hunger for justice, hunger for right

rock the boat, rock the boat we’re supposed to rock the boat rock the boat, rock the boat Myrlie, she rocked the boat

I die and I’d die gladly a better life for my wife and family Medgar, did not die in vain his legacy, his lessons remain rock the boat, rock the boat we’re supposed to rock the boat rock the boat, rock the boat Medgar, he rocked the boat

Stand Tall

Going to church on Sunday

A safe place to be

So much love bombed by hate

Back in 1963

Way too young too much love

Pain never goes away

Still pictures and home movies

thank you Spike Lee

Whatcha gonna do, stand tall now

Whatcha gonna do, stand tall

Right is right, not denied

Even when justice delayed

Always live the golden rule

Maxine speaks the truth

Hatred gets you nowhere fast

Wasted energy

Takes away creativity

Takes away all you can be

Whatcha gonna do, stand tall now

Whatcha gonna do, stand tall

Don’t ask me to go out to lunch

Shake a bad man’s hand

Moving forward parallel lives

She’s with us all the time

Whatcha gonna do, stand tall now

Whatcha gonna do, stand tall

Stand with Love

Where you stand when times are tough

Will you get involved, have you had enough?

Make a stand, it might get rough

Make a stand, stand with love

Stand with love

It all comes down to this

It all comes down

It all comes down to this

It all comes down

To love

Courage to say what is wrong today

To each their own and the choices they make

Speak for yourself and leave mine all alone

Choices we make in place we call our home

Where you stand when times are tough

Will you get involved, have you had enough?

Make a stand, it might get rough

Make a stand, stand with love

Stand with love

Thank You Shuttlesworth

a handshake is better than a fist he led the fight for justice would not be silenced 19 times he faced arrest

Thank you Shuttlesworth

Thank you Shuttlesworth made a change, made it work

Thank you Shuttlesworth

Christmas eve in ‘56 his house was bombed he did not flinch they beat him with whips and chains he came right back at ‘em again intimidation did not work held his ground Kelly Ingram Park fire hoses and dogs, he prevailed insane courage he could not fail

Thank you Shuttlesworth

Thank you Shuttlesworth made a change, made it work

Thank you Shuttlesworth

nonviolence was his creed faithfully he believed right to vote, emancipate desegregate and stop the hate

Thank you Shuttlesworth

Thank you Shuttlesworth 13 14

Thank you Shuttlesworth made a change, made it work

Three Young Men

three young men in a car driving south blue station wagon full of hopes and dreams of equality, democracy heading down to Mississippi, a place where people had been beaten to a church, a church burnt to the ground they had courage, they had vision, they had spirit to take action those injustices could not stand James Chaney was 20 years old, left a daughter he didn’t even know working with friends to stop Jim Crow Andrew Goodman in the car too, knew what he was getting into heading down south, for Freedom Schools third man’s name was Mickey Schwerner, went down south because he wanted to shake the hands, treat everyone like a man three young men in a car driving south

three young men in a car driving south pulled to the side by a sheriff named Price, taken to jail denied they were there released hours later dead of the night, stopped again in the name of states’ rights those men knew they were gonna die pulled from the car now one by one, Andrew Goodman was only 21 Schwerner said Sir I know just how you feel James Chaney was left for last, beaten badly then they laughed car was burned and left in a swamp, bodies were buried in the form of a cross, the killers walked free, all justice was lost state did not ask, did not act they knew all along, part of a plan, keep the status quo in their hands hold the courts, the law, the police, the Klan

so as we look back and remember let us use those lessons for tomorrow freedom applies to everyone

the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution as I read it all men are equal and justice for all should not matter the color of your skin, your race, place or religion we the people applies to us all three young men in a car driving south did not die in vain but taught us well the true meaning to stand up for what you believe

three young men in a car driving south did not die in vain but taught us well the true meaning to stand up for what you believe

Walking with the Wind

Freedom rides and freedom schools

Sit-ins and breaking the rules

Good trouble, 40 arrests

Beaten, non-violent tests

A firecracker sizzles, then ash

A pilot light, a forward path

Did it then, and we’ll do it again

And we’re still, walking with the wind

Disciplined and dignity

Nonviolent philosophy

Member from Georgia’s 5th Member of the Big Six 23 in DC

Member from Georgia’s 5th

Member of the Big Six 23 in DC

Courage, tenacity

We did it then and we’ll do it again

And we’re still, walking with the wind

Come together, best we can

Another storm comes, we’ll do it again

Civil rights is a living movement

John Robert Lewis proves it

We’re all in it together

And we’re still, walking with the wind

17

We Believe in Peace

I want to be there when

Statues fall, meet the call, change it all

I believe in peace

Statues fall, meet the call, change it all I believe in peace

Take the streets, march for peace, a mighty stream I believe in peace

Singing freedom songs, when we all belong, we’re safe at home

I believe in peace

Peace for you and peace for me

Peace for all of humanity

We believe in peace

I want to be there when…

Make our choice, raise our voice, make some noise I believe in peace

Change the tone, get along, troops come home I believe in peace

With the sinners and the saints, we’re all the same, one human race

I believe in peace

With the sinners and the saints, we’re all the same, one human race I believe in peace

Peace for you and peace for me

Peace for all of humanity

We believe in peace

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