Civil rights would have been won without the participation of blues, gospel, and folk singers and songwriters, but the participation of musicians and the effectiveness of sing-alongs certainly helped an incredible amount.
The songs on this list don't even begin to capture the hundreds of tunes that have been written about civil rights in America (and around the world), but if you're looking to learn more about music during the civil rights movement, this is a good primer for your journey. Some of these songs were adapted from old hymns. Others were originals. All of them have helped inspire millions.
When "We Shall Overcome" (purchase/download) first came to the Highlander Folk School via the Food and Tobacco Workers Union in 1946, it was a spiritual titled "I'll Be Alright Someday." HFS Cultural Director Zilphia Horton - along with those workers - adapted it to the struggles of the labor movement at the time, and began using the new version - "We Will Overcome" - at every meeting. She taught it to Pete Seeger the following year. He changed the "will" to "shall" and took it around the world. It became considered the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, though, when Guy Carawan got folks singing it at a rally in South Carolina. It's since been sung around the world.
Deep in my heart, I do believe / We shall overcome some day
Deep in my heart, I do believe / We shall overcome some day
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Peace Songs-Downloads/CDsAward-Winning Activist Music. "Inspiring, Gutsy & Rockin'!"EmmasRevolution.com
This Staple Singers classic brings to light the entirety of African-American history until that point, including slavery, the construction of the railroads, and highways, and demands payment and reparations for the horrors and exploitation of the working class African Americans.
"We fought in your wars ... to keep this country free for women, children, man ... When will we be paid for the work we've done?"
"We fought in your wars ... to keep this country free for women, children, man ... When will we be paid for the work we've done?"
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