Sing Democracy 250

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.

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.

Of these are Life.

SOLOIST: Life.

CHOIR: Liberty.

SOLOIST: Liberty.

ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.

CHOIR: Of these are Life.

SOLOIST: Life.

CHOIR: Liberty.

SOLOIST: Liberty.

ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.

CHOIR: Of these are Life.

SOLOIST: Life.

CHOIR: Liberty.

SOLOIST: Liberty.

ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.

CHOIR: Of these are Life.

SOLOIST: Life.

CHOIR: Liberty.

SOLOIST: Liberty.

ALL: And the pursuit of Happiness.

CHOIR: That to secure these rights.

ALL: To secure these rights.

Governments are instituted among men.

CHOIR: Deriving their powers from the consent of the governed.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be America.

CHOIR: Be America again.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be America.

CHOIR: Be America again.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be America.

CHOIR: Be America again.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be.

CHOIR: Be America again.

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.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Be America.

SOLOIST: Be America.

CHOIR: Let America.

Let it be the dream.

Let America.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Be America.

SOLOIST: Be America again.

CHOIR: Let it be the dream.

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: He is free.

He is free.

CHOIR: Where he is free.

SOLOIST: Free.

He's free.

ALL: Where he is free.

SOLOIST: America was never America to me.

(vocalizing).

SOLOIST: Oh, let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Oh.

ALL: Be the dream.

CHOIR: Let it be the dream.

SOLOIST: Let the dream ashore.

CHOIR: The dream a dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

Be the dream.

SOLOIST: Mmm, let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

SOLOIST: Oh, let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

Let it be the dream, the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

CHOIR: Let it be that great strong land of love.

Let it be that great strong land of love.

SOLOIST: Oh, let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

Let it be the dream, the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

CHOIR: Where neither kings connive nor tyrants scheme.

That any man be crushed by one above.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

ALL: Be the dream.

SOLOIST: Oh, let my land.

CHOIR: Oh, let my land.

SOLOIST: Be a land.

CHOIR: Be a land.

SOLOIST: A land.

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.

ALL: Let America be the dream.

SOLOIST: Be the dream, be the dream, be the dream.

Be the dream, be the dream.

Let America, be the dream.

Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be.

CHOIR: Be the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: That dreamer's dream.

CHOIR: Be the dream the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be the dream.

CHOIR: Be the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: That the dreamer's dream.

CHOIR: Be the dream, the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be the dream.

CHOIR: Be the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: That the dreamer's dream.

CHOIR: Be the dream, the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: Let America.

CHOIR: Let America.

SOLOIST: Be the dream.

CHOIR: Be the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: That the dreamer's dream.

CHOIR: Be the dream, the dreamer's dream.

SOLOIST: Dream.

Oh, dream.

ALL: Dream.

SOLOIST: There's never been equality, never, ever equal towards freedom.

SOLOIST: There's never been equality towards freedom.

(overtalking).

SOLOIST: Dream, dream.

(overtalking).

SOLOIST: Dream.

(overtalking).

SOLOIST: Dream.

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.

Clutching to the hope I seek.

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.

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.

Take the pain.

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.

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.

Bartered through the years.

Bartered, through the years.

Bartered, through the years.

CONDUCTOR: One, two, three.

(choir cheering and laughing).

(vocalizing).

(vocalizing).

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.

(vocalizing).

(choir cheering and laughing).

Oh, I'm the man who sailed those early seas.

Early seas.

In search of what I meant should be my home.

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.

SOLOIST: I came.

CHOIR: I came.

SOLOIST: I came.

Torn.

CHOIR: Torn from, Black Africa's strand.

SOLOIST: Strand.

I came.

I came.

ALL: To build a home, homeland of the free.

SOLOIST: Free.

(audience applause).

CHOIR: The free, who said the free?

Not me.

The free, who said the free?

Surely not me.

Not me.

The free, who said the free?

Not me.

The free, who said the free?

Surely not me.

Not me.

The millions who have nothing for our pay?

For all the dreams we've dreamed.

The dreams we've dreamed.

The millions who have nothing for our pay?

For all the dreams we've dreamed.

We've dreamed.

We've dreamed.

Dreamed.

We 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.

And all the songs we've sung.

All of the hopes we've held.

And all the flags we've hung.

SOLOIST: For the dreams.

CHOIR: 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.

For all the dreams we've dreamed.

SOLOIST: And all of the songs.

CHOIR: And all the songs we've sung.

SOLOIST: All of the hopes.

CHOIR: And all the hopes we've held.

SOLOIST: All of the flags.

CHOIR: And all the flags we've hung.

SOLOIST: Dreams.

CHOIR: For all the dreams we've dreamed.

SOLOIST: All of the songs.

CHOIR: And all the songs we've sung.

SOLOIST: All of the hopes.

CHOIR: And all the hopes we've held.

SOLOIST: All of the flags.

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.

(audience applause).

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.

(vocalizing).

CHOIR: The land that never has been yet, and yet must be, the land where every man is free.

Free.

The land that never has been yet.

The land that's mine.

The poor man's, Indians, the Negros, me.

SOLOIST: Me.

ALL: Me.

CHOIR: Who made America?

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.

SOLOIST: Oh, yes.

CHOIR: Oh, yes, I say it plain.

SOLOIST: Oh, yes.

CHOIR: Oh, yes I say it plain.

CHOIR: Oh, yes I say it plain.

SOLOIST: Oh, yes.

CHOIR: Oh, yes.

SOLOIST: I say it plain.

CHOIR: I say it plain.

SOLOIST: America never was America to me.

CHOIR: America never, never.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: Never, never.

CHOIR: Never.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: Never, never.

CHOIR: Never, never.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: America, to me.

SOLOIST: Oh, yes, I say it plain, America never was America to me.

And yet I swear this oath.

SOLOIST: And yet I swear.

CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.

SOLOIST: And yet I swear.

CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.

America.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: And yet I swear, swear this oath.

SOLOIST: Must redeem.

CHOIR: We the people must redeem the dream.

SOLOIST: And the land.

CHOIR: And the mines, the plants, the rivers.

SOLOIST: Every mountain.

CHOIR: The mountains and the endless plain.

All, all the stretch of these great green states.

SOLOIST: We the people.

CHOIR: We the people must redeem the dream.

SOLOIST: Must redeem the dream.

ALL: And the land, and the mines.

CHOIR: And the rivers.

SOLOIST: Every mountain.

CHOIR: The mountains and the endless plain.

SOLOIST: Oh, yes.

CHOIR: All the stretch of these great green states.

SOLOIST: Yes, America.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: America.

CHOIR: Again.

SOLOIST: Again.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: Again.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: Again.

CHOIR: America.

SOLOIST: Again.

CHOIR: Oh, yes.

SOLOIST: America again.

CHOIR: Oh, yes.

SOLOIST: America again.

ALL: Again.

(vocalizing).

(audience applause).

(vocalizing).

CHOIR: This is our time.

This is our time.

This is our time.

This is our time.

This is our time.

This is our time.

SOLOIST: This is our time.

This is our time.

Oh.

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.

ALL: The temptation to ignore.

Our duty and blindly hope for the best.

CHOIR: While the enemies of freedom grow stronger, day by day.

This is our time.

ALL: That while we breathe, we hope.

SOLOIST: That while we breathe, we hope.

CHOIR: We the people are the key.

Democracy depends on us.

ALL: Depends on all of us.

SOLOIST: This is our time to fulfill democracy's promise and build a more perfect union.

ALL: This is our time.

CHOIR: This is our time.

It is up to us.

It is up to us to choose.

It is up to us.

It is up to us to choose.

It is up to us.

In our time, it is up to us to choose.

It is up to us.

In our time, it is up to us to choose.

It is up to us.

SOLOIST: And choose wisely between the hard but necessary task of preserving peace and freedom.

CHOIR: It is up to us to choose.

It is up to us.

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: This is our time.

CHOIR: This is our time.

This is our time.

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.

It is not enough.

It is not enough.

It is not enough.

(vocalizing).

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.

Do something.

All of something.

Do something.

All of something.

Do something.

All of something.

Get involved.

SOLOIST: The desire to do something and contribute was strong.

CHOIR: Do something.

SOLOIST: The desire to do something and contribute was stronger than the fear of giving up.

CHOIR: Do something.

Part of something.

The impact of participation trickles up.

SOLOIST: Rosa Parks didn't start out by taking on all of Jim Crow.

CHOIR: Do something.

SOLOIST: She started out by taking a seat on a local bus.

CHOIR: Do something.

ALL: Part of something.

CHOIR: Do something.

ALL: Part of something.

CHOIR: Do something.

ALL: Part of something.

Get involved.

CHOIR: Do something.

Part of something.

Do something.

ALL: Part of something.

CHOIR: Do something.

ALL: Part of something.

Get involved.

(audience applause).

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.

Be a part of it.

Be a part of it.

Be a part of it.

Freedom is never more than one generation from extinction.

SOLOIST: An informed patriotism is what we want.

It must be fought for, protected.

CHOIR: Open, open.

Open, open.

Open the walls of dialogue.

Open the walls of dialogue.

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.

All people have dignity.

SOLOIST: Civility is the recognition that all people have dignity.

CHOIR: All people have dignity.

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.

All people have dignity.

SOLOIST: No matter their religion.

CHOIR: Religion.

SOLOIST: Their race.

CHOIR: Their race.

SOLOIST: No matter their gender.

CHOIR: Their gender.

SOLOIST: Or sexuality.

CHOIR: Sexuality.

SOLOIST: Or their ability.

CHOIR: Ability.

SOLOIST: Who they love.

CHOIR: Recognition.

SOLOIST: Political persuasion.

CHOIR: Civility.

SOLOIST: Where they've come from.

CHOIR: Recognition.

SOLOIST: Where they were born.

CHOIR: Civility.

SOLOIST: Whatever their opinion.

ALL: All people have dignity.

CHOIR: Trust.

Trust.

Trust.

Trust.

Trust.

Trust.

Trust over cynicism.

Trust over cynicism.

Trust over cynicism.

Trust over cynicism.

(vocalizing, singing in rounds).

Trust.

Community over chaos.

Trust.

Trust.

Trust.

Trust.

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.

Peace, I am peace.

SOLOIST: All legislation, all government, all society is founded upon the principle... ALL: Of mutual concession.

CHOIR: Peace, I am peace.

SOLOIST: Compromise is the essence of our democracy.

Cooperation and working... ALL: Together to build consensus have to prevail in the end for peace.

CHOIR: Peace, I am peace.

Peace, I am 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.

Oh, peace, I am peace.

(audience applause).

CHOIR: Democracy.

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.

Of America.

Speak up, speak out, get in the way.

Speak up, speak out, get in the way.

Get into trouble.

Necessary trouble.

Get into 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.

Get into trouble.

Necessary trouble.

Get into 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.

Of America.

Of America.

SOLOIST: We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality.

CHOIR: Tied in a single garment of destiny.

(vocalizing).

(vocalizing continues).

CHOIR: Our nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good.

(vocalizing).

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.

Unwritten traditions.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Unwritten traditions.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Customs... Rules and practices.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Rules and practices.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Customs, conventions, codes of conduct.

Democracy requires more than laws.

It is devotion.

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.

CHOIR: Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not what your country can do for you.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

What your country can do for you.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

Ask not.

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.

Ooh, we shall nobly save.

We shall nobly save.

We shall nobly save.

Or meanly lose, the last best hope.

The last best hope of earth.

We shall nobly save.

We shall nobly save the last best hope of earth.

The last best hope of earth.

We shall nobly save.

We shall nobly save.

All the gifts that contribute to the greater national whole.

We are dependent upon each other.

We have need of every citizen.

If one suffers, we all suffer.

If one suffers, we all suffer.

All the gifts that contribute to the greater national whole.

We are dependent upon each other.

We have need of every citizen.

If one rejoices, we all rejoice.

If one rejoices, we all rejoice.

Oh.

When we all get together, what a day, what a day it will be.

Oh.

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.

We have need of every citizen.

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.

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

Beautiful.

When we all get together, what a day, what a day it will be.

Oh.

When we all get together, what a day of justice it will be.

Oh.

When we all get together, what a day of justice it will be.

Oh.

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.

When we all join together.

SOLOIST: What a day.

CHOIR: What a day.

SOLOIST: What a day.

CHOIR: What a day.

ALL: What a day of justice it will be.

SOLOIST: What a day.

CHOIR: What a day.

SOLOIST: What a day.

CHOIR: What a day.

ALL: What a day of justice it will be.

SOLOIST: This is our time.

CHOIR: This is our time.

SOLOIST: This is our time.

CHOIR: This is our time ALL: To reclaim the American dream.

SOLOIST: This is our time.

CHOIR: This is our time.

SOLOIST: This is our time.

CHOIR: This is our time.

ALL: To reclaim the American dream.

What a day.

SOLOIST: What a day, oh.

ALL: What a day.

What a day.

What a day of justice it will be.

What a day.

SOLOIST: What a day, oh.

ALL: What a day.

SOLOIST: What a day.

ALL: What a day of justice it will be.

CHOIR: We love one another.

We are one.

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.

This is our time.

When we all get together, we are one.

We can turn this nation around.

We are one.

We the people are the key.

We are one.

This is our time.

This is our time.

(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?

SOLOIST: History suggests it can.

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.

(vocalizing).

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.

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.

Lift every voice and sing.

(vocalizing).

(audience cheering and applause).

(applause continues).

Do something.

Here we go.

Do something, part of something.

Do something, part of something.

Do something, part of something.

Get involved.

Do something, part of something.

Do something, part of something.

Do something, part of something.

Get involved.

Do something, part of something.

Do something, part of something.

Do something, part of something.

Get involved.

(audience cheering and applause).