Story Behind The Song

I wrote this song for a Kids CD by the same name "We Stood Up" https://www.lfg.com/public/aboutus/lincolnfinancialfoundation/lincolnslegacy/anthology The Song looks a few of those who stood up for civil rights in the 60's.

Song Description

'We Stood Up': Reflections on the civil rights movement 'We Stood Up' is an audio anthology for children, produced by Lincoln Financial Foundation, that uses stories and songs to bring the ideals of freedom, opportunity, and equality to life for a new generation. This powerful recording includes excerpts from conversations with courageous men and women such as John Lewis, Andrew Young, Julian Bond, Franklin McCain, Shirley Franklin and others who faced many challenges and overcame great obstacles. All became respected leaders in politics, education, community service and business. Listen to the album The anthology is available to the public on iTunes and free to download for educators and non-profit organizations. Share these stories of bravery, perseverance and triumph with your classroom and children to celebrate and continue the legacy of freedom, opportunity and equality.

Lyrics

She sat down and she sat down. She sat! A 1955 December day
Rosa Parks worked hard for her pay
She waited for the bus, at last she say She'd pay her fare and be on her way Sister Rosa was tired, had aching feet
So she went to sit down in the closest seat The bus driver said, "You can't sit down. I'm going to have to bring the policeman around."
They asked her to move and she said, "No!" So they took her to jail, and we said, "Wo!" No more blacks are gonna ride the bus until there are seats for all of us
She sat down
We stood up
She sat down
We stood up
She sat down
We stood up
We stood up, we stood up, we stood up
Let it be known by standing on your feet
Greensboro Woolworth five-and-dime
Lunch counter segregated at the time.
David, Franklin, Joe, Ezell
Agro-tech students that were keeping it real They sat at the counter but were asked to leave What happened next you would not believe The next day 20, the third day 60
Three hundred sitting in this southern city They sat at the counter in civil protest
Five months later their cause was addressed The lunch counter was desegregated
The Greensboro Four were celebrated
They sat down
We stood up
They sat down
We stood up
They sat down
We stood up
We stood up, we stood up, we stood up
We changed the course of civil rights
We stood up...for liberty We stood up...for peace We stood up...for justice We stood up...for creativity We stood up...for love
We stood up...for acceptance We stood up...for fairness We stood up...for equality We stood up...for humanity We stood up...for kindness
We stood up
They sat down
We stood up
They sat down
We stood up
They sat down
We stood up
We stood up, we stood up, we stood up