Something For Sunday:

While serving as pastor of the Greater True Friendship Baptist Church, Los Angeles, I attempted to get young people to earn college scholarship monies by writing essays and presenting them at their given grade levels. I was somewhat amazed that the young people did not buy into this process. I ask an eight year old second grader a question about one topic as we prepared as a church to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday, what he thought of Dr. King, only to be told he did not know who Martin King was, let along the impact he has had on America. I thought to myself that I could understand his not being exposed at school, but I could not understand his non-exposure at home. What resulted was that church adopting the fourth Sunday of every month as Cultural Awareness Day. I am equally amazed as I watch game shows on television that Black people seemingly miss questions where the answer is obviously Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

So we pause today in our worship of the creator to turn aside to honor this hero of our history.

My task today is to talk about the music of the movement, a movement associated with Dr. King.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a Black Baptist Church pastor. He was well aware of the music of the church and incorporated that music into the Civil Rights Movement. The songs we talk about today were some of Dr. King’s favorites.

The prophet Jeremiah makes this observation: The crops are in, the summer is over, but for us nothing’s changed.(Message) Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there (NIV)

The movement sings: There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin sick soul. In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea. With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me: As he died to make us holy, let us die that all be free. While God is marching on. Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.

Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker served as Dr. King’s Chief of Staff during the movement. In a book that he authored entitled, Somebody’s Calling My Name, he postulates: If you listen to what Black people are singing religiously, you can tell what is happening to them sociologically. thus the music of the movement through the eyes of Dr. King. These themes emerge: Hope, Personal Responsibility, Unity and we sing corporately.

HOPE

Beams of heaven as I go, through this wilderness below.

Guide my feet in peaceful ways, turn my midnights into days.

When in darkness I would grope, Faith always sees a star of hope.

And soon from all life’s grief and dangers, I shall be free someday.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

If I can help somebody as I pass along

If I can cheer somebody with a word or song

If I can show somebody he is traveling wrong

Then my living shall not be in vain.

UNITY

Walk together children, don’t you get weary,

There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.

We’re gonna walk and never tire.

There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.

AND THE ANTHEM OF THE MOVEMENT

We shall overcome – We’ll walk hand in hand – Black and white together

We shall live in peace –We are not afraid – God will see us through – Someday

Oh, deep in my heart I do believe, We shall overcome someday.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE: (Acronyms: Hold On, Pain Ends – Hang On, Pain Ends)

Harder yet may be the fight, right may often yield to might.

Wickedness awhile may reign, Satan’s cause May see to gain.

There is a God that rules above, with hand of power and heart of love.

Since I’m right (preacher’s prerogative), He’ll fight my battle,

I shall have peace someday.

I do not know how long ‘twill be, nor what the future holds for me;

But this I know, If Jesus leads me, I shall get home someday.

Rev. Gerald Adams is the retired pastor of Greater True Friendship Baptist Church. Rev. Adams now resides in Dallas, Texas
Rev. Gerald Adams is the retired pastor of Greater True Friendship Baptist Church. Rev. Adams now resides in Dallas, Texas.