Emily Railsback
- Jan 17, 2021
- 6 min read

Songs of Protest, Songs of Peace

Today Sunday, January 17th, 2021, we are holding an outdoor peaceful protest of song at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago at 3pm. This is a protest against the violence and hate that took place in our country on January 6th, and a celebration of the active nonviolent movement of MLK Jr.

When people committed an insurrection on our nation's Capitol with signs that read 'Jesus Saves', I thought..."wow! how warped has Christianity become." Jesus' teachings did not spread fear, hate, violence, or racism. Instead, love for one's enemies.

Today is a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., whose life and teachings of active nonviolence started a movement that continues to inspire us today.

Protest Details

Meet at the Logan Square Monument at 3pm. We have a police liaison who will talk to police if we are asked to disperse. In which case we will march around the monument and down the boulevard.

Please wear a mask! And socially distance from your neighbors to help avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Lyrics

Here is a list of the song lyrics we will be singing:

One Foot/Lead with Love

by Melanie DeMore

Refrain (2x): You gotta put one foot in front of the other, and lead with love. Put one foot in front of the other, and lead with love.

Don’t give up hope! You’re not alone! Don’t you give up! Keep movin’ on.

[Refrain]

Lift up your eyes! Don’t you despair! Look up ahead! The path is there.

[Refrain]

I know you’re scared! And I’m scared, too! But here I am! Right next to you.

[Refrain]

Singing for our lives

by Holly Near

We are a gentle, angry people

And we are singing, singing for our lives

We are a justice-seeking people

And we are singing, singing for our lives

We are young and old together

And we are singing, singing for our lives

We are a land of many colors

And we are singing, singing for our lives

We are gay and straight together

And we are singing, singing for our lives

We are a gentle, loving people

And we are singing, singing for our lives

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn me Around

Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around

Turn me around, turn me around

Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around

I'm gonna keep on a-walkin', keep on a-talkin'

Marchin' up to freedom land

Ain't gonna let no jailhouse turn me around…

Ain't gonna let segregation turn me around…

Ain't gonna let racism turn me around…

Ain't gonna let no hatred turn me around…

Ain't gonna let injustice turn me around…

Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around...

If I Had A Hammer

by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays

If I had a hammer

I'd hammer in the morning

I'd hammer in the evening

All over this land

I'd hammer out danger

I'd hammer out a warning

I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

If I had a bell

I'd ring it in the morning

I'd ring it in the evening

All over this land

I'd ring out danger

I'd ring out a warning

I'd ring out love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

If I had a song

I'd sing it in the morning

I'd sing it in the evening

All over this land

I'd sing out danger

I'd sing out a warning

I'd sing out love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

Well I got a hammer

And I got a bell

And I got a song to sing, all over this land

It's the hammer of Justice

It's the bell of Freedom

It's the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

It's the hammer of Justice

It's the bell of Freedom

It's the song about Love between my brothers and my sisters

All over this land

We Shall Not Be Moved

Traditional

We shall not, we shall not be moved

Like a tree that's planted by the water

We shall not be moved

The union is behind us

We shall not be moved

The union is behind us

We shall not be moved

Like a tree that's planted by the water

We shall not be moved

We're fighting for our freedom...

We're fighting for our children...

We're building a mighty union...

Black and white together...

Young and old together...

When my burden's heavy...

The church of God is marching...

Don't let the world deceive you...

Precious Lord

by Thomas A Dorsey (lyrics) and George N. Allen (music)

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, let me stand

I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near

When my life is almost gone

Hear my cry, hear my call

Hold my hand, lest I fall

Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home

When the darkness appears and the night draws near

And the day is past and gone

At the river I stand

Guide my feet, hold my hand

Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home

Keep your Eyes on the Prize

Traditional

Paul and Silas bound in jail

Had no money for to go their bail

Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Hold on, hold on,

Hold on, hold on

Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on

Paul and Silas began to shout

the jail door opened and the walked out