Freedom Song: Young Voices and
the Struggle for Civil Rights by Mary
C. Turck
Song And The Civil Rights Movement ~ The Included Cd Is Worth The Price Of The
Book!
Melding memorable music and inspiring history, Freedom Song presents a
fresh perspective on the civil rights movement by showing how songs of
hope, faith, and freedom strengthened the movement and served as its
voice. In this eye-opening account, you’ll discover how churches and other
groups--from the SNCC Freedom Singers to the Chicago Children’s
Choir--transformed music both religious and secular into electrifying
anthems that furthered the struggle for civil rights.
From rallies to marches to mass meetings, music was ever-present in the
movement. People sang songs to give themselves courage and
determination, to spread their message to others, to console each other as
they sat in jail. The music they shared took many different forms, including
traditional spirituals once sung by slaves, jazz and blues music, and
gospel, folk, and pop songs. Freedom Song explores in detail the

galvanizing roles of numerous songs, including “Lift Every Voice and Sing,”
“The Battle of Jericho,” “Wade in the Water,” and “We Shall Overcome.”
As Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and many others took a stand
against prejudice and segregation, a Chicago minister named Chris Moore
started a children’s choir that embraced the spirit of the civil rights
movement and brought young people of different races together, young
people who lent their voices to support African Americans struggling for
racial equality. More than 50 years later, the Chicago Children’s Choir
continues its commitment to freedom and justice. An accompanying CD,
Songs on the Road to Freedom, features the CCC performing the songs
discussed throughout the book.
Personal Review: Freedom Song: Young Voices and the
Struggle for Civil Rights by Mary C. Turck
There once was a time when everything was separate and not equal. Prior
the civil right movement things were labeled. If a young African-American
wanted to get a drink, he had to degrade himself by drinking out of a
fountain with a nearby sign that said "colored." Many people participated
in the civil rights movement, but not before numerous heartbreaking
incidents. In 1963 a Sunday bomb blast in the Birmingham church took
the lives of Denise, Carole, Addie Mae and Cynthia. Four young innocent
girls.
This book blends the story of the civil rights movement and song from the
Freedom Singers to the Chicago Children's Choir (portraits of individuals
are included). Christopher Moore, a minister of the First Unitarian Church,
founded the CCC in the 1950s. He was a man who believed in
integration. Today this choir has more than 3,000 members. Rachel
Andrews, a member of the choir for ten years, stated that "We were
singing music that crossed the lines on both ends. We had white kids
singing solos on black gospel songs. We were taught to be all as one."
I loved the portraits of the CCC interspersed with historical tidbits and
period civil rights photographs. This book demonstrates the importance of
song in the history of the movement from African music to Lead Belly and
Woody Guthrie. The included 18 track CD, Songs On The Road to
Freedom, is worth the price of the book. Listening to the phenomenal
blending of voices was a rare treat. There are several tracks with a capella
singing. It is available as an MP3 download on Amazon where you can
see the titles.
For More 5 Star Customer Reviews and Lowest Price:
Freedom Song: Young Voices and the Struggle for Civil Rights by Mary C. Turck 5 Star
Customer Reviews and Lowest Price!