The always-informative, often soothing Poetry Friday collection is, collected here this week.
. . .
We are one Earth.
We are one People.
We are all immigrants, citizens.
We are all Christian, Hindu, Buddhist.
We are all Jewish, Muslim.
We are all Black, Hispanic, white.
We are all First Nation, Asian.
A long-time spiritual of decades ago that sang out
across this land soothing many, is known as
I Shall Not Be Moved.
It transformed in the U.S. Civil Rights era to
We Shall Not Be Moved.
And it just came into my world,
a most welcome zephyr.
A group of us were invited to stand and sing
this as a protest song of solidarity, in a version
with some words changed for modern times.
We attended this service in response
to vile speech,
sent to a local Jewish temple
and hurtful to us all.
Singing there, a zing zanged
through me.
I felt more uplifted than
I had in months.
We Shall Not Be Moved keeps company with me.
Here it is, with my 2017 tweaks.
2017 Edition, We Shall Not Be Moved
Will shall not, we shall not be moved.
We shall not, we shall not be moved.
Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
Jews and Christians, we shall not be moved.
Jews and Christians, we shall not be moved.
Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
Hindus and Muslims, we shall not be moved.
Hindus and Muslims, we shall not be moved.
Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
Immigrants, citizens, we shall not be moved.
Immigrants, citizens, we shall not be moved
Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
Black and white, we shall not be moved.
Black and white, we shall not be moved.
Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
Hispanic, Asian, First Nation, we shall not be moved.
Hispanic, Asian, Firsr Nation, we shall not be moved.
Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
Gay, straight, trans, we shall not be moved.
Gay, straight, trans, we shall not be moved.
Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
O YES! Like a tree, growing by the waterside,
We shall not be moved.
©2017 Jan Godown Annino
This is shared with a huge heart of appreciation
to my husband’s former students, the ones who
kindly invited us to the service.
They are long-time consumer activist-attorneys,
David and Barbara Abrams. The Florida Supreme Court
recently honored David Abrams for his generous
public spirit. And he is quick to note that
his law partner, and partner in life, Barbara Abrams,
is why he is able to give so much time to the community.
For more on the original I Shall Not Be Moved.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Shall_Not_Be_Moved
Bookseedstudio 
14 responses to “We are all . . .”
I’m very pleased to know that the song spoke to you in the same way it did to me. During times like these I feel that music is healing and provides us a way to find connection with each other.
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It is with me all the time.
David, thank you so much for visit here.
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The poets are singing, loud and clear. We need voices like yours right now, Jan.
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I agree it is so restorative to be lifted up on poetry & song, Laura.
Your February event is a power house of connectivity, which I hope to return to.
Ill be late, but the beauty is that it will still be there . . . a beacon.
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This is a wonderful post to start my day, Jan. I am doing what I can every day, and it helps to know about people everywhere who are standing up, who “will not be moved”.
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The February Poetry Friday event created by Laura Shovan is powerful.
After some wonderful winter visitors pass along to further south in Florida,
I expect to catch up with it.
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The world just seems to break my heart every time I turn on the TV or the radio, but it’s so inspiring and motivating to read such words of loving and hopeful defiance. Oh, America, you’re going through a terrible time right now, but you are so much more than this, and love will prevail!
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Beautifully said, Jane.
The World will be a better place.
We will not lose hope & not stop trying.
And the children are leading the way . . .
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A fitting anthem for the times. Thanks for sharing!!
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Yes, an anthem, Jama!
Thank you for giving it the exact word for what it can be.
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Such a song makes me remember what makes a country great — its people not its politicians. Its art — songs, paintings, poetry — shows that greatness.
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Brenda,
This is exactly what I wish I had said. I’m so glad you did.
Appreciations.
Sing you soon!
Jan
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Gorgeous, Jan. Thank you.
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I wake up with it in my head, go to sleep with it on my mind. Hope it hooks us all.
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