A Song of Freedom
At Temple Micah we have in our midst a singer-songwriter who has turned out some remarkable pieces over the years. He’s a friend of Peter Yarrow and was quite active in the Civil Rights Movement. We sang this song of his today in honor of Martin Luther King’s upcoming birthday, the Presidential Inauguration, and the story of the parting of the Red Sea, coming up soon in the Torah:
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Make Those Waters Part by Doug Mishkin
Let us recall the story of our struggle for the promised land.
Let us remember how freedom is won so our children will understand.
Once we were slaves in Egypt. Our people and our land were apart.
But when Moses stood before that troubled sea, he could make those waters part.
Once we were slaves in America. We were given white men’s names.
They scattered our families, they scattered our lives while they kept us bound in chains.
Then we marched strong in Selma. We looked the racists right in the heart.
And when Martin stood before that troubled sea, he could make those waters part.
Somewhere tonight lives a free man. Somewhere else freedom’s just a song of the heart.
We must find the river flowing between them, and we must make those waters part.
Now we are slaves in our own time, the many at the hands of the few.
And we who’ve crossed the sea of slavery before must remember what we must do.
In the name of the falsely imprisoned, in the name of all the homeless at heart,
In the name of all the history that binds us, we must make those waters part.
Somewhere tonight lives a free man. Somewhere else freedom’s just a song of the heart.
We must find the river flowing between them, and we must make those waters part.
Troubled seas rising around us, sometimes the promised land seems hidden from view.
So we retell these stories, that’s how we start to make those waters part,
To make those waters part,
To make those waters part.
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I just realized it’s not nearly as effective without the music. But it’s especially nice to sing a piece in English (as opposed to being in Hebrew) and to have it be so appropriate for what is happening in the country and in the world.
**********************************
Make Those Waters Part by Doug Mishkin
Let us recall the story of our struggle for the promised land.
Let us remember how freedom is won so our children will understand.
Once we were slaves in Egypt. Our people and our land were apart.
But when Moses stood before that troubled sea, he could make those waters part.
Once we were slaves in America. We were given white men’s names.
They scattered our families, they scattered our lives while they kept us bound in chains.
Then we marched strong in Selma. We looked the racists right in the heart.
And when Martin stood before that troubled sea, he could make those waters part.
Somewhere tonight lives a free man. Somewhere else freedom’s just a song of the heart.
We must find the river flowing between them, and we must make those waters part.
Now we are slaves in our own time, the many at the hands of the few.
And we who’ve crossed the sea of slavery before must remember what we must do.
In the name of the falsely imprisoned, in the name of all the homeless at heart,
In the name of all the history that binds us, we must make those waters part.
Somewhere tonight lives a free man. Somewhere else freedom’s just a song of the heart.
We must find the river flowing between them, and we must make those waters part.
Troubled seas rising around us, sometimes the promised land seems hidden from view.
So we retell these stories, that’s how we start to make those waters part,
To make those waters part,
To make those waters part.
**********************************
I just realized it’s not nearly as effective without the music. But it’s especially nice to sing a piece in English (as opposed to being in Hebrew) and to have it be so appropriate for what is happening in the country and in the world.
posted by Barbara at 2:50 PM
5 Comments:
Wow; how great to have Doug M in your community! I bet that was a powerful moment for all.
I read this morning that one of the musical selections to be played at the inauguration is Oscar Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom," a piece I love and play often.
I'll be thinking of you Tuesday morning!
-- F.
I think it's pretty effective, even without the music. What a moving piece.
Anon -- I will listen out for Hymn to Freedom on Tuesday. I'm sure the whole day will have many beautiful moments, whether one is watching in person or in the comfort of home.
Kristin -- It's somewhat ironic that MLK's birthday falls the day before the Inauguration, but this song ties everything together so nicely I think.
That was a moving piece. Your synagogue sounds like a special place. I did not know the inauguration was to be aired. Thanks for mentioning it.
powerful.. thanks, Barbara!
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