The Night Shift

I must apologize that this post is so late.  I originally wanted to have it ready in time for Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday; and when I didn’t, I thought I’d abandon the project until the anniversary of his death.  However, April 4 is my mother’s birthday, and I have something a little more festive in mind for Mom.

I remember a hot August day in 1963.  I was too busy thinking about starting first grade in less than two weeks to realize that what I was watching history unfold on the television.  I saw thousands of people on the screen, and knew  that my father was among them.  I saw faces of celebrities that I recognized from the movies and from The Ed Sullivan Show.

And, I saw Dr. King. 

I didn’t understand much of what he was saying that day.  I remember that he said he had a dream; and that he mentioned his children.  I learned the significance of  “I Have A Dream” in the years since from my parents and through my experiences outside the home.  However, I was always keenly aware that Dr. King had children the same ages as my friends and myself, and that we all were  the beneficiaries of his dream. 

TNS – For the Children Of  The Dream includes “I Have A Dream” and “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” in their entirety.  I also included Kirk Franklin’s “My Life Is In Your Hands” from the soundtrack of  “Get On The Bus”, a movie about another march on Washington, D.C., the Million Man March.

TNS – For the Children of the Dream

Playlist

1. We Shall Overcome - The Montgomery Gospel Trio, The Nashville Quartet, and Guy Carawan – We Shall Overcome, Songs of the Freedom Ride [5:35]
2. We Shall Overcome – Martin Luther King, Jr.  – We Shall Overcome [2:27]
3. How I Got Over – Mahalia Jackson – Mahalia Jackson’s Greatest Hits [5:23]
4. Take My Hand, Precious Lord – Mahalia Jackson – Gospels, Spiritual, & Hymns [4:15]
5. Living in the Promiseland – Willie Nelson – Essential Willie Nelson [3:22]
6. I Have a Dream (Washington, D.C. 8/28/63) – Martin Luther King, Jr.  – Greatest Speeches of All Time, Vol. 1 [6:11]
7. A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam  Cooke – The Man and His Music [3:14]
8. Choice of Colors – The Impressions - Anthology 1961-1977 [3:17]
9. We’re a Winner – The Impressions – Anthology 1961-1977 [2:24]
10. Keep On Pushing – The Impressions – Anthology 1961-1977 [2:34]
11. People Get Ready – The Impressions - Anthology 1961-1977 [2:38]
12. I’ve Been to the Mountaintop – Martin Luther King, Jr. – Martin Luther King, Jr. Tapes [20:41]
13. Wake Up Everybody – Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes – The Essential Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes [7:32]
14. What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye – Anthology [3:58]
15. Patience - Anika Noni Rose – Dreamgirls [Original Soundtrack] [3:34]
16. America, the Beautiful – Ray Charles [3:36]
17. My Life Is In Your Hands – Kirk Franklin, God’s Property – Get On The Bus [5:36]
18. Happy Birthday – Stevie Wonder – Hotter Than July [5:57]