When I was at seminary a few of my classmates asked if I would write a song about Martin Luther King's I have a dream speech. What a tall order!
I tried and tried and in the end realised that nothing I sang remotely gave justice to his words and the incredible power captured in that moment. So I found the original speech online, listened to it on headphones and recorded this improvised piano piece. I made 3 takes, this is the one I like the best.
I tried and tried and in the end realised that nothing I sang remotely gave justice to his words and the incredible power captured in that moment. So I found the original speech online, listened to it on headphones and recorded this improvised piano piece. I made 3 takes, this is the one I like the best.
Part of the reason I am posting this as a blog is to ask those of you who are interested: Please comment on what you hear in Martin Luther Kings words.
For me the 'I have a dream speech' hold incredible vulnerability. In the face such hatred, ignorance and danger I can imagine that many of MLK's peers thought he was weak and naive. A sad tale of our age is that the warrior is seen as strong and the unarmed monk as weak. MLK's vision and incredible spiritual strength cost him his own life and brought tremendous pain and hardship to his family.
Martin Luther King I honour you & I honour the community and ancestors who made you such an incredible teacher of our times.