Monday, January 20, 2014

A Song for Martin Luther King Day - Oh Freedom! - The Golden Gospel SIngers


Oh, freedom!
Oh, freedom!
Oh, freedom over me!
And before I'd be a slave
I'll be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free



dyecoins

Today is Martin Luther King Day and this song, which I and many others first heard during that murderous and wild closing sequence to the 9th episode of American Horror Story: The Coven, is dedicated to his memory.  The song dates back to post-Civil War years and has been famously recorded by the likes of 60's American folk singers Odetta and Joan Baez.  


meltdownbitchleader

Just the other day I was explaining to my students, who know very little about American history, the story of slavery, the Civil War, and the civil rights struggles that plagued African-Americans for almost 100 years afterwards.  It was one of those rare occasions where they were all paying attention, because their story and the significance of Dr. King's role in its end, is so compelling.

So though many of us have the day off today, please don't forget why.  Not all of American history is rosy and bright, and it's important to remember these things so they can never happen again.  Enjoy Freedom and enjoy your day!


Freedom
Oh, freedom!
Oh, freedom!
Oh, freedom over me!
And before I'd be a slave
I'll be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
No more moanin'
No more moanin’
No more moanin’ over me
And before I’d be a slave
I’ll be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
There'll be singin'
There’ll be singin’
There’ll be singin’ over me
And before I’d be a slave
I’ll be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
There'll be shoutin'
There’ll be shoutin’
There’ll be shoutin’ over me
And before I’d be a slave
I’ll be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free
Oh, freedom!
Oh, freedom!
Oh, freedom over me!
And before I'd be a slave
I'll be buried in my grave
And go home to my Lord and be free


Lyrics: Ballad of America

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