It’s getting late in the day here but not too late to add my tribute to Dr. King. I won’t go into a detailed biography of the civil rights icon and a man who left the world too soon.
There aren’t a long list of songs about King but I did find a few that I thought you’d enjoy.
My personal favorite is “Shed A Little Light” by James Taylor. I think it sums up my feelings about Dr, King and his mission better than any other.
“Shed A Little Light” by James Taylor
Let us turn our thoughts today, To Martin Luther King
And recognize that there are ties between us, All men and women, Living on the Earth
Ties of hope and love, Sister and brotherhood
That we are bound together, In our desire to see the world become, A place in which our children, Can grow free and strong
We are bound together, By the task that stands before us, And the road that lies ahead, We are bound and we are bound
There is a feeling like the clenching of a fist, There is a hunger in the center of the chest
There is a passage through the darkness and the mist, And though the body sleeps the heart will never rest
Shed a little light, oh Lord, So that we can see
Just a little light, oh Lord, Wanna stand it on up
Stand it on up, oh Lord, Wanna walk it on down
Shed a little light, oh Lord
Can’t get no light from the dollar bill, Don’t give me no light from a TV screen
When I open my eyes, I wanna drink my fill, From the well on the hill
Enjoy…..
- ”Shed A Little Light” – James Taylor – as noted above!
- “They Killed Him” – Kris Kristofferson. Great song about assassinated leaders. Later covered by Dylan.
- “Pride (In the Name of Love)” – U2 – Top-shelf U2 at their best.
- “One Vision” – Queen – Starts off slow but takes off like only Freddie could.
- “Blues for Martin Luther King” – Otis Spann. Classic blues on the order of Neil Young’s “Ohio”.
- “Up to the Mountain” – Patty Griffin. Great tune from Patty a native of Old Town, ME.
