Music Wall
Incorporating lyrics from popular music from the movements is another immersive way to experience the Abeng Minority Culture Lounge, a soundtrack for the space. You just can’t help but hum along or sing the lyrics aloud as you read them.
The songs featured here, from “We Shall Overcome” to “What’s Going On,” have transcended time, echoing calls for unity, progress, and most importantly, change. Through this collection, we celebrate the pivotal role of music in shaping history and inspiring the quest for freedom and equality by generations of the past, present, and future.
“Freedom songs are playing a strong and vital role in our struggle. They give the people new courage and a sense of unity. I think they keep alive a faith, a radiant hope, in the future.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
We Shall Overcome (1947)
We shall overcome,
We shall overcome,
We shall overcome, some day.
Oh, deep in my heart,
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day.
Young, Gifted and Black (Nina Simone, 1994)
Young, gifted and black
Oh what a lovely precious dream
To be young, gifted and black
Open your heart to what I mean
You are young, gifted and black
We must begin to tell our young
There’s a world waiting for you
Yours is the quest that’s just begun
Change is Going to Come
(Sam Cooke, 1964)
Oh, there been times that I thought
I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able, to carry on
It’s been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will
What’s Going On
(Marvin Gaye, 1971)
Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today, yeah