Freedom Songs

January 16th, 2006

Since today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I want to point out a few things musical relating to the holiday.

Firstly I want to direct readers to this page which gives a brief summary of the music of the Civil Rights Movement.

Songs were an important part of the civil rights movement. People sang some of the old spirituals that African American slaves had created, as well as new songs. The civil rights movement was full of danger. Many people were physically attacked while standing up for their rights. Others, like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., were killed. Those on the front lines of the battle were sometimes frightened. Singing songs together comforted people and gave them courage.

Over at Sweet Chariot is a brief look at how old spirituals were transformed into the “freedom songs” of the modern Civil Rights Movement. The Smithsonian Folkways label has a disc called Sing For Freedom which includes songs, speeches, and prayers from the Civil Rights Movement.

Finally, going back a bit, I’d like to direct readers to the album Steal Away: Songs of the Underground Railroad by Kim & Reggie Harris. No doubt some of the song titles will be familiar to you.

(If any fellow Wisconsonians are interested in learning about the Underground Railroad here in our fair state, then check out this page.)

Related posts:

1. Show #31: Rhythm'n'Jews – "Songs of Our Fathers" (Part 3)