For Pete Seeger to say the 'we' in 'we shall overcome' is everybody makes sense only after a lifetime of struggle. By his life and witness, by his sacrifices and scars, by his glorious successes, he has somehow earned the right to offer an image of all of us overcoming together.
But first of all, we must hold on to We shall Overcome as a source of energy and courage for people marching on picket lines and trying to register to vote and going to jail and joing hearts and hand in mass meetings. People sang it in Gdansk,in Tianimen Square, in Pretoria. Are they singing it today in Pakistan. People need to sing their souls into their various struggles for justice.
I do believe that somehow God is present in the world through Christ(and others) reconciling the world to God. I believe in ultimate reconciliation--ultimately, we shall overcome together.
In the meantime, find the songs or write the songs that give power to the people, that lift up the downtrodden, that give courage and comfort to the afflicted.
Hannah's song. Mary's song. Your song. My song.
Thank God and Pete Seeger for the power of struggle, and of song.
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