“We Shall Overcome” is known as the theme song of the Civil Rights movement. It comes from the songs “I’ll Overcome Someday”, “If My Jesus Wills”, “I’ll Be Alright”, and a song sung by slaves called “No More Auction Block For Me”. It had become a protest song in 1945 when tobacco workers would sing it while working. The song had been taught to civil rights activist Zilphia Horton, and a group of union officials and other civil rights leaders in the 1950s. Horton also taught Pete Seeger the song, and he later spread the song by performing it at rallies. The song has been translated into other languages and is known universally.
“Oh Freedom” is a song that was sung when slaves dreamed of being free. It was then sung again when African Americans were fighting for their freedom. “Oh Freedom” was performed by Odetta at the 1963 March on Washington. The performance was a call to action that said “stand up”. “Before I’d be a slave, I’d be buried in my grave” a line from the song says. It shows how people weren’t going to put up with the discrimination anymore, and they are going to stand up for what they believe in.
“This Little Light of Mine” is a song that brought people together. It showed that every single glimmer of light, can shrink the darkness. Singer and civil rights activist Bernice Johnson Reagon says “When you want the communal expression, everybody says I...And a lot of times I’ve found when people say we they are giving you a cover to not say whether they are going to be there or not...This little light of mine, I’M gonna let it shine, means that when a march goes, I am going to be there.” The song even tells you of people coming together, and protesting as one. This song has been used a lot during different struggles over time, but has also become an anthem of the Civil Rights movement.
“Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Us ‘Round” became popular after taught to a mass meeting of activists by Ralph Abernathy. It was often used at protests in the 1950s and 60s by black and white activists fighting against discrimination laws. Many of these activists would be arrested and severely beaten by their officers, but they continued to sing as they were taken away and once they were in jail. Cameras would often capture these moments. They were determined to stay strong and to continue the fight for freedom.
“Your Eyes On The Prize” was known as the hymn “Keep Your Hand on the Plow” until civil rights activist Alice Wine took the song in 1956 and created a more positive, encouraging song from it. Wine was determined to keep going and to never give up, and tried to encourage others with her determination. This new song was sung during the worst times of the civil rights movement, when segregation seemed too powerful to take down. The song had given hope to many people. Many popular singers during this time took the song and performed and recorded it.