Music is often a unifying element in a political movement, succinctly and emphatically reminding people of what they are fighting for, while providing inspiration and hope.
The Civil Rights Movement was no exception. Drawing on traditional folk songs and incorporating the music from the American Folk Music Revival, the songs of the Civil Rights Movement helped bring a societal change to America that may never be equaled in importance.
Below are five of the greatest, most inspiring, and most meaningful of the songs.
5. Oh Freedom (Traditional)
When Odetta first recorded “Oh Freedom” on her album Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues as part of a spiritual trilogy, it was well received by the still small folk audience.
Yet when Odetta performed “Oh Freedom” at the 1963 March on Washington, it became a call to all to rise up. “Before I’d be a slave/ I’d be buried in my grave” was a sentiment echoed throughout America. When Odetta passed away last year of heart failure, America lost one of its great voices for freedom.
4. Blowin’ in the Wind (Bob Dylan)
The influence of Bob Dylan originally came mostly in the countless covers of this song by mainstream folk singers such as Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary. It was not until his album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, with “Blowin’ in the Wind” on it, that he became known outside the folk community.
“Blowin’ In the Wind” has become synonymous with the Civil Rights Movement and later on, the Vietnam Peace Movement. With its simple melody and eternal questions, “Blowin’ in the Wind” became a staple at every protest.
3. We Shall Not Be Moved (Traditional)
This spiritual, turned into a Union protest song during the coal strikes of the early 20th century, “We Shall Not Be Moved” (sometimes “I Shall Not Be Moved”) perfectly states the feelings of the men and women standing up for their rights.
The call and response format of the song made this a favorite at protests. In addition, the verses are highly portable and malleable-- what Pete Seeger refers to as a “portfolio song”-- with people adding lines as they see fit. Some verses, like “black and white together” and “young and old together” are almost always sung, especially during the Civil Rights Movement.
2. Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (Alice Wine)
“Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” is another song strongly associated with the Civil Rights Movement. Originally it was a variation of the song “Gospel Plow,” number 10075 on the Roud Folk Song Index (a successor of Francis Child’s work).
The lyrics to the best known version were composed by civil rights activist Alice Wine, who wrote them in 1956.
“Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” carried special meaning to many of the protesters and freedom riders of that era. Despite being beaten, jailed, and ridiculed, they stood strong and unwavering, keeping their eyes on the prize of freedom.
1. We Shall Overcome (Charles Tindley)
“ We Shall Overcome ” is the most iconic songs of the Civil Rights Movement. Just the mention of it evokes images of men and women standing tall against a barrage of police dogs and fire hoses. Music Critic Dave Marsh wrote the liner notes to Bruce Springsteen’s We Shall Overcome: the Seeger Sessions that it is “the most important political protest song of all-time, sung around the world wherever people fight for justice and equality.”
“We Shall Overcome” has lyrics derived from a gospel song “I’ll Overcome Someday,” by Charles Tindley and the melody partially taken from the spiritual “No More Auction Block For Me.”
The song was popularized by Pete Seeger, who after learning it from Zilphia Horton as “We Will Overcome”, added it to his repertoire. From there it caught on and became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement.
These five songs not only were a unifying force in the Civil Rights Movement, but they have been reused for many other causes. Even today, where ever you see a protester with a guitar, expect one of these songs to follow. The song, like the sentiment, remains the same.
Craig Sanders - Craig Sanders is happy to be the Suite101 Feature Writer for Folk Music, as writing and music have been his twin loves his whole ...
