Sing Democracy 250 - PBS
An urgent musical call for Americans to renew our democracy for the next 250 years.
An urgent musical call for Americans to renew our democracy for the next 250 years.
Filmed in Minneapolis, “Sing Democracy 250” is a nationwide initiative commemorating America’s 250th birthday. This musical call to action reminds us that We the People must ensure our democracy is not just remembered but renewed for the next 250 years.
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Filmed in Minneapolis, “Sing Democracy 250” is a nationwide initiative commemorating America’s 250th birthday. This musical call to action reminds us that We the People must ensure our democracy is not just remembered but renewed for the next 250 years.
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Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.
Sing Democracy 250 is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.
NARRATOR: "Sing Democracy 250" is a musical initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
From signature concerts in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, New York City, and Washington, D.C., to performances in local communities across the nation, "Sing Democracy 250" uses music to bring hope and harmony to a divided nation.
Featuring two newly commissioned works, "Redeem the Dream," based on Langston Hughes's "Let America Be America Again," and "Us," inspired by Richard Hass's "The Bill of Obligations," the project invites audiences to reflect on both the promise of democracy and our role in shaping its future.
The heart and soul of our democracy lives through its people.
We, the people, are the key, and this is our time to fulfill democracy's promise.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (audience cheering and applause).
♪ CHOIR: Oh, say can you see, ♪ ♪ by the dawn's early light.
♪ ♪ What so proudly we hailed ♪ ♪ at the twilight's last gleaming.
♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ through the perilous fight.
♪ ♪ O'er the ramparts we watched ♪ ♪ were so gallantly streaming.
♪ ♪ And the rocket's red glare, ♪ ♪ the bombs bursting in air, ♪ ♪ gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ that our flag was still there.
♪ ♪ Oh, say does that star-spangled ♪ ♪ banner yet wave.
♪ ♪ O'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ and the home ♪ ♪ of the brave.
♪♪ (audience cheering and applause).
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CHOIR: We hold these truths to be self-evident, ♪ ♪ that all are created equal.
♪ ♪ That they are endowed by their creator ♪ ♪ with certain unalienable rights.
♪ ♪ That they are endowed by their creator ♪ ♪ with certain unalienable rights.
♪ ♪ That they are endowed by their creator... ♪ ♪ ...that all are created equal.
♪ ♪ ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.
♪ ♪ ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.
♪ ♪ ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.
♪ ♪ ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: That to secure these rights.
♪ ♪ Governments are instituted among men.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Deriving ♪ ♪ their powers ♪ ♪ from the consent of the governed.
♪ ♪ Let it be the dream it used to be.
♪ ♪ Let it be the dream it used to be.
♪ ♪ ALL: Let it be the dream it used to be.
♪ ♪ Let it be the dream it used to be.
♪ ♪ Let it be the pioneer on the plain.
♪ ♪ Let it be the pioneer on the plain.
♪ ♪ Let it be the pioneer on the plain.
♪ ♪ Let it be the pioneer on the plain.
♪ ♪ Seeking a home where he is free.
♪ ♪ Seeking a home where he is free.
♪ ♪ Seeking a home where he is free.
♪ ♪ Seeking a home where he is free.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: America ♪ ♪ was never ♪ ♪ America to me.
♪ ♪ Let it be the dream, the dreamer's dream.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Let it be that great strong land of love.
♪ ♪ Let it be that great strong land of love.
♪ ♪ Let it be the dream, the dreamer's dream.
♪ CHOIR: Where neither kings connive nor tyrants scheme.
♪ That any man be crushed by one above.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: A land where liberty's crowned... ♪ ♪ ALL: With patriotic wreaths.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: But opportunity's real and life is free.
♪ ♪ Equality's in the air we breathe.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Be the dream, be the dream, ♪ ♪ be the dream.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Be the dream the dreamer's dream.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: That the dreamer's dream.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Be the dream, the dreamer's dream.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: That the dreamer's dream.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Be the dream, the dreamer's dream.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: That the dreamer's dream.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Be the dream, the dreamer's dream.
♪ SOLOIST: There's never been equality, never, ever equal towards freedom.
SOLOIST: There's never been equality towards freedom.
♪ ♪♪ SOLOIST: Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CHOIR: I am the poor white, ♪ ♪ fooled and pushed apart.
♪ ♪ I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
♪ ♪ I am the red man, ♪ ♪ red man driven from the land.
♪ ♪ I am the immigrant clutching, ♪ ♪ clutching, clutching.
♪ ♪ Clutching, clutching, clutching.
♪ ♪ Clutching, clutching, clutching.
♪ ♪ Clutching, clutching, clutching.
♪ ♪ And finding only the same old stupid, ♪ ♪ stupid, stupid plan.
♪ ♪ Stupid, stupid, stupid, ♪ ♪ stupid, stupid, stupid, ♪ ♪ stupid, stupid, stupid plan.
♪ ♪ A dog eat dog, ♪ ♪ a mighty crush the weak.
♪ ♪ A dog eat dog, ♪ ♪ a mighty crush the weak.
♪ ♪ A dog eat dog, ♪ ♪ a mighty crush the weak.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I am the young man full of strength and hope.
♪ ♪ Tangled in that ancient endless chain.
♪ ♪ Profit, ♪ ♪ power, ♪ ♪ gain, ♪ ♪ grab the land, ♪ ♪ grab the gold.
♪ ♪ Alone in everything for one's own greed.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
♪ ♪ I am the worker sold to the machine.
♪ ♪ I am the Negro, servant to you all.
♪ ♪ I am the people ♪ ♪ humble, hungry, ♪ ♪ mean.
♪ ♪ Hungry yet today, ♪ ♪ hungry yet today despite the dream, ♪ ♪ dream, ♪ ♪ dream, ♪ ♪ dream.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Beaten yet today, ♪ ♪ O pioneers.
♪ ♪ I am the man who never got ahead, ♪ ♪ the poorest worker.
♪ ♪ Bartered, bartered, bartered, bartered, ♪ ♪ through the years.
♪ ♪ Bartered, ♪ ♪ through the years.
♪ CHOIR: Yet I'm the one who dreamt, ♪ ♪ dreamt a basic dream.
♪ ♪ In the Old World while still a serf of kings.
♪ ♪ Yet I'm the one who dreamt, ♪ ♪ dreamt a basic dream.
♪ ♪ In the Old World while still a serf of kings.
♪ ♪ Who dreamt a dream so strong, ♪ ♪ so brave, ♪ ♪ so true, ♪ ♪ that even yet its mighty daring sings.
♪ ♪ In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned ♪ ♪ that's made America the land it's become.
♪ ♪ ALL: Who dreamt a dream so strong, ♪ ♪ so brave, ♪ ♪ so true, ♪ ♪ that even yet its mighty daring sings.
♪ ♪ In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned ♪ ♪ that's made America the land it's become.
♪ Oh, I'm the man who sailed those early seas.
♪ ♪ In search of what I meant should be my home.
♪ ♪ For I'm the one who left a highland shore ♪ ♪ and Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea, ♪ ♪ and England's grassy lea.
♪ ♪ And torn at Black Africa's strand.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Torn from, Black Africa's strand.
♪ ♪ ALL: To build a home, ♪ ♪ homeland of the free.
♪ ♪ ♪ CHOIR: The free, who said the free?
♪ ♪ The millions who have nothing for our pay?
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ The millions who have nothing for our pay?
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ The millions who have nothing for our pay?
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ The millions who have nothing for our pay?
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed, ♪ ♪ and all the songs we've sung, ♪ ♪ and all the hopes we've held, ♪ ♪ and all the flags we've hung.
♪ ♪ ALL: For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And all the songs we've sung.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And all the hopes we've held.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And all the flags we've hung.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And all the songs we've sung.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And all the hopes we've held.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And all the flags we've hung.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: The millions who have nothing for our pay.
♪ ♪ For all the dreams we've dreamed.
♪ ♪ Except the dream that's... ♪ ♪ BOTH: Almost dead today.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Oh, let America ♪ ♪ be America, ♪ ♪ be America again.
♪ ♪ Let America ♪ ♪ be America, ♪ ♪ America again.
♪ ♪ BOTH: Oh, let America, ♪ ♪ be America, ♪ ♪ be America again.
♪ ♪ Let America, ♪ ♪ be America, ♪ ♪ America again.
♪ CHOIR: The land that never has been yet, ♪ ♪ and yet must be, ♪ ♪ the land where every man is free.
♪ ♪ The land that never ♪ ♪ has been yet.
♪ ♪ The poor man's, Indians, ♪ ♪ the Negros, ♪ ♪ me.
♪ ♪ Whose sweat and blood, ♪ ♪ whose faith and pain, ♪ ♪ whose hand at the foundry, ♪ ♪ whose plow in the rain, ♪ ♪ must bring back our mighty dream again.
♪ SOLOIST: Oh, yes, I say it plain.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Oh, yes, I say it plain.
♪ SOLOIST: America never was America to me.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Oh, yes, I say it plain, ♪ ♪ America never was America to me.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: We the people must redeem the dream.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: And the mines, the plants, the rivers.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: The mountains and the endless plain.
♪ ♪ All, all the stretch of these great green states.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: We the people must redeem the dream.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Must redeem the dream.
♪ ♪ ALL: And the land, and the mines.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: The mountains and the endless plain.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: All the stretch of these great green states.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: To reclaim the American dream and ♪ ♪ reaffirm that fundamental truth... ♪ ♪ ALL: That out of many, ♪ ♪ we are one.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: That while we breathe, we hope.
♪ ♪ That while we breathe, we hope.
♪ ♪ Our duty and blindly hope for the best.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: While the enemies of freedom grow stronger, ♪ ♪ day by day.
♪ ♪ ALL: That while we breathe, we hope.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: That while we breathe, we hope.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: We the people are the key.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: This is our time to fulfill democracy's ♪ ♪ promise and build a more perfect union.
♪ ♪ In our time, it is up to us to choose.
♪ ♪ In our time, it is up to us to choose.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: And choose wisely between the hard but ♪ ♪ necessary task of preserving peace and freedom.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: It is up to us to choose.
♪ SOLOIST: And choose wisely between the hard but ♪ ♪ necessary task of preserving peace ♪ ♪ and freedom.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: In our time, it is up to us to choose.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: This is our time to fulfill democracy's ♪ ♪ promise and build a more perfect union.
♪ ♪ ALL: That while we breathe, we hope.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CHOIR: It is not enough.
♪ ♪ It is not enough to talk about human rights ♪ ♪ without emphasizing human duties.
♪ ♪ Rights without duties lead to lawlessness.
♪ ♪ Even as duties without rights can lead to slavery.
♪ ♪ And to the abasement of individuality.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: A little learning may be a dangerous thing.
A little learning may be a dangerous thing.
A little learning may be a dangerous thing.
A little learning indeed may be a dangerous thing.
But the want of learning is such a calamity to any people.
♪ ♪ The safeguard of democracy is education.
The safeguard of democracy is education.
Where the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.
Where the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: The desire to do something ♪ ♪ and contribute was strong.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: The desire to do something and contribute ♪ ♪ was stronger than the fear of giving up.
♪ ♪ The impact of participation trickles up.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Rosa Parks didn't start out by taking ♪ ♪ on all of Jim Crow.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: She started out by taking a seat ♪ ♪ on a local bus.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CHOIR: Freedom is never more than one generation ♪ ♪ from extinction.
♪ ♪ Freedom is never more than one generation ♪ ♪ from extinction.
♪ ♪ It must be fought for, protected, ♪ ♪ and handed on to do the same.
♪ ♪ It must be fought for, protected, ♪ ♪ and handed on to do the same.
♪ ♪ Freedom is never more than one generation ♪ ♪ from extinction.
♪ ♪ We can learn how a government works ♪ ♪ at the national level.
♪ ♪ Freedom is never more than one generation ♪ ♪ from extinction.
♪ ♪ We can learn how a government works ♪ ♪ at the state level.
♪ ♪ Freedom is never more than one generation ♪ ♪ from extinction.
♪ ♪ We can learn how a government works ♪ ♪ at the local level.
♪ ♪ Freedom is never more than one generation ♪ ♪ from extinction.
♪ ♪ Freedom is never more than one generation ♪ ♪ from extinction.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: An informed patriotism is what we want.
♪ ♪ It must be fought for, protected.
♪ ♪ Unless you have dialogue, you can never reach to ♪ ♪ change people's opinion.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Civility is the recognition that all ♪ ♪ people have dignity.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: All people have dignity.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Civility is the recognition that all ♪ ♪ people have dignity.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: All people have dignity.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: That inherent to their person, ♪ ♪ no matter their religion, ♪ ♪ race, or gender, ♪ ♪ or sexuality, or ability.
♪ ♪ Civility is the recognition that all ♪ ♪ people have dignity.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: All people have dignity.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SOLOIST: No matter their religion.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: No matter their gender.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Where they've come from.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Whatever their opinion.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment.
♪ ♪ It is the determined ♪ ♪ choice of trust ♪ ♪ over cynicism, ♪ ♪ of community over chaos.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CHOIR: Peace, ♪ ♪ I am peace.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: All legislation, all government, ♪ ♪ all society is founded upon the principle... ♪ ♪ ALL: Of mutual concession.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Compromise is the essence of our democracy.
♪ ♪ Cooperation and working... ♪ ♪ ALL: Together to build consensus ♪ ♪ have to prevail in the end ♪ ♪ for peace.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Compromise need not mean cowardice.
♪ ♪ Indeed, it is the compromisers ♪ ♪ and conciliators who are faced with ♪ ♪ the severest tests ♪ ♪ of political courage.
♪ ♪ ALL: Oh, peace, ♪ ♪ I am peace.
♪ SOLOIST: Democracy offers peaceful channels for individuals and groups to pursue their goals.
There are multiple alternatives to violence in pursuit of political ends.
♪ CHOIR: Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Get in the trouble, necessary trouble.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ And help redeem the soul... ♪ ♪ Help redeem the soul... ♪ ♪ Of America.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way ♪ ♪ and help redeem the soul... ♪ ♪ Help redeem the soul.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way ♪ ♪ and help redeem the soul... ♪ ♪ Help redeem the soul.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way.
♪ ♪ Speak up, speak out, ♪ ♪ get in the way ♪ ♪ and help redeem the soul... ♪ ♪ Help redeem the soul.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ SOLOIST: We are caught in an inescapable ♪ ♪ network of mutuality.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: Tied in a single garment of destiny.
♪ CHOIR: Our nation is formed by the willingness ♪ ♪ of each of us to share in the responsibility ♪ ♪ for upholding the common good.
♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one.
♪ ♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one.
♪ ♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one.
♪ ♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one.
♪ ♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one.
♪ ♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one directly.
♪ ♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one... ♪ ♪ Whatever affects one directly.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs... ♪ ♪ Rules and practices.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Democracy requires more than laws.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Rules and practices that reduce friction ♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Rules and practices that reduce friction ♪ ♪ and brittleness in a society.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ ♪ (vocalizing, singing in rounds).
♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.
♪ ♪ When the norm is decency, ♪ ♪ other virtues can thrive.
♪ ♪ Integrity, honesty, compassion, ♪ ♪ kindness, and trust.
♪ ♪ ♪ SOLOIST: A citizenry inspired by the call to public service is essential to the health of a democracy.
♪ ♪ Ask not what your country can do for you.
♪ ♪ What your country can do for you.
♪ ♪ Ask not what your country can do for you.
♪ ♪ Ask what you... ♪ ♪ Ask what you... ♪ ♪ Ask what you can do for your country.
♪ ♪ Ask what you can do for your country.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ CHOIR: Love your neighbor as yourself.
♪ ♪ Love your neighbor as yourself, ♪ ♪ and your country ♪ more than yourself.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Patriotism is a love ♪ ♪ and a duty.
♪ ♪ Patriotism is a love and a duty.
♪ ♪ A love of our country expressed ♪ ♪ in good citizenship.
♪ ♪ Or meanly lose, ♪ ♪ the last best hope.
♪ ♪ We shall nobly save the last best hope of earth.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ All the gifts that contribute to the ♪ ♪ greater national whole.
♪ ♪ We are dependent upon each other.
♪ ♪ All the gifts that contribute to the ♪ ♪ greater national whole.
♪ ♪ We are dependent upon each other.
♪ ♪ If one rejoices, we all rejoice.
♪ ♪ If one rejoices, we all rejoice.
♪ ♪ When we all get together, ♪ ♪ what a day, what a day it will be.
♪ ♪ When we all get together, ♪ ♪ what a day of justice it will be.
♪ ♪ All the gifts that contribute to the ♪ ♪ greater national whole.
♪ ♪ We are dependent upon each other.
♪ ♪ If one of us is bound, ♪ ♪ none of us is free.
♪ ♪ If one of us is bound, ♪ ♪ oh, none of us is free.
♪ ♪ Harmony is a sound far greater ♪ ♪ than dissonance and unison.
♪ ♪ The political orchestra of contrasting souls ♪ ♪ working together for freedom is as powerful ♪ ♪ as it is beautiful.
♪ ♪ When we all get together, ♪ ♪ what a day, what a day it will be.
♪ ♪ When we all get together, ♪ ♪ what a day of justice it will be.
♪ ♪ When we all get together, ♪ ♪ what a day of justice it will be.
♪ ♪ When we all get together, ♪ ♪ what a day of justice it will be.
♪ ♪ SOLOIST: Together, we'll make sure that hope, ♪ ♪ not hate, has the last word.
♪ ♪ CHOIR: It's time to believe the heart and soul ♪ ♪ of this democracy can live.
♪ ♪ When the rejected hands join together.
♪ ♪ ALL: What a day of justice it will be.
♪ ♪ ALL: What a day of justice it will be.
CHOIR: This is our time ♪ ♪ ALL: To reclaim the American dream.
♪ ♪ ALL: To reclaim the American dream.
♪ ♪ What a day of justice it will be.
♪ ♪ ALL: What a day of justice it will be.
♪ ♪ If one of us is bound, none of us is free.
♪ ♪ If one rejoices, ♪ ♪ we all rejoice together.
♪ ♪ We can alter the course of yesterday.
♪ ♪ When we all get together, ♪ ♪ we are one.
♪ ♪ We can turn this nation around.
♪ ♪♪ (audience cheering and applause).
SOLOIST: Given the current state of the nation, can music play any role in smoothing out the sharp edges of our disagreements?
Our music is a mirror and a maker of that once and future truth.
The whole panoply of America can be traced, and more important, heard and felt in the songs that echo through our public squares.
SOLOIST: And if we can hear and feel how the other guys hear and feel, we're better equipped to press on towards a more perfect union.
For the song of America is not finished.
Its last notes have yet to be played.
In that spirit, in that cause, now and always, let us lift every voice and sing.
♪ CHOIR: Lift every, lift every, ♪ ♪ lift every voice and sing.
♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing, ♪ ♪ till earth and heaven ring, ♪ ♪ ring with the harmonies of liberty.
♪ ♪ Let our rejoicing rise, ♪ ♪ high as the listening skies, ♪ ♪ let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
♪ ♪ Let us sing a song, ♪ ♪ sing a song full of the faith ♪ ♪ that the dark past has taught us.
♪ ♪ Sing a song full of the hope ♪ ♪ that the present has brought us.
♪ ♪ Facing the rising sun ♪ ♪ of our new day begun, ♪ ♪ let us march on ♪ ♪ till victory is won.
♪ ♪ Let us sing a song, sing a song ♪ ♪ full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.
♪ ♪ Sing a song full of the hope ♪ ♪ that the present has brought us.
♪ ♪ Facing the rising sun ♪ ♪ of our new day begun, ♪ ♪ let us march on till victory is won.
♪ ♪ Lift every, lift every, ♪ ♪ lift every voice and sing.
♪ ♪ Do something, part of something.
♪ ♪ Do something, part of something.
♪ ♪ Do something, part of something.
♪ ♪ Do something, part of something.
♪ ♪ Do something, part of something.
♪ ♪ Do something, part of something.
♪ ♪ Do something, part of something.
♪ (audience cheering and applause).
An urgent musical call for Americans to renew our democracy for the next 250 years. (30s)
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