Representative John Lewis was a featured speaker at Harvard’s Commencement.
As part of the event, a powerful rendition of “Sing Out, March On” (lyrics and info after fold).
As one who comes from those who marched — for civil rights and otherwise — as part of civic engagement and responsibility and who has marched — for civil rights and otherwise — this sings so much to my heart.
Oh, well my grandaddy marched, and my grandmomma too.
And I never thought it'd be something that I'd have to do.
But I'll march if I must. I'm on a mission, you see.
And I'll be damned if my children have to march for me.
Perhaps both sadly (that it is a necessity still) and proudly (since it is their choice), I perhaps am ‘damned’ as my children see marching to demand a better society as part of their responsibility and passion. They, however, are not there to ‘march for me’ but for themselves and, even more so, others.
“Sing On, March On” is powerful … may it speak to your soul as it does to mine.
Well I marched through the storm, and I marched through the rain.
And I marched through some sickness and some heartache and pain.
And I laid on the ground, and I looked up at the sky,
and I prayed to Lord up above and asked why.
But oh no, I'm not tired, I'm not through marching yet,
and I'ma march until I die, oh children: this you can bet.
I'm gonna sing out, I'm gonna march on.
Oh, well my grandaddy marched, and my grandmomma too.
And I never thought it'd be something that I'd have to do.
But I'll march if I must. I'm on a mission, you see.
And I'll be damned if my children have to march for me.
Now, I believe in the power of raising my voice.
And I believe in the power of making some noise.
If I die I can't sing, and if I can't sing I'll die.
So we can sing for one another now let's give it a try.
I'm gonna sing out, I'm gonna march on
If you wish, it is downloadable … and, if you can afford to pay, the payments go to support an organization that continues to sing out against injustice and hate, to support those who march for justice and freedom.
Sing Out, March On. All profits benefit the Southern Poverty Law Center, so give what you can, or download for free and visit our GoFundMe, which takes a smaller percentage than Bandcamp: www.gofundme.com/singoutmarchon