♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ - [Announcer] Tonight on Stage, take a front row seat for the inspiration, connection, and joy you've been missing.

♪ When the people are free ♪ Minneapolis based choir, VocalEssence celebrates the power of music to mobilize people, heal hearts, and change the world.

In Witness 2021, the choir explores songs rooted in activism and resistance.

They challenge the United States to become an equitable nation for all.

♪ Say her name ♪ - Throughout our country's history, singing has played an essential role in advancing the fight for civil rights and social justice.

We lift every voice and sing to acknowledge that our lives matter, that Black lives matter.

Whether we're working to abolish slavery and the Jim Crow, or ensure fair access to the ballot box, we let our voices be heard to mobilize people, to open minds, to change unjust laws, and to heal hearts.

Welcome to VocalEssence Witness.

(choir harmonizing and chanting) For 31 years, VocalEssence Witness has used the concert stage and classroom workshops to honor and give voice to the experiences of Black and African-American persons, to illuminate our indefatigable spirit, our creative brilliance, and our resiliency.

A resiliency that continues to shape our shared American heritage.

We sing to bring us closer to Dr. King's dream.

We sing because we aspire to let freedom ring.

(choir harmonizing and chanting) One, two, three!

(orchestral music) ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, let it ring through love ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, let it ring through peace ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through hope ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, let it ring through love ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, let it ring through peace ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through hope ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I will sing, I will sing ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through love ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through peace ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through hope ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through love ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through peace ♪ ♪ Let freedom ring ♪ ♪ Let it ring, just let it ring through hope ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom rings ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the love ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the peace ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the hope ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ I'll sing of the joy that fills my heart ♪ ♪ When freedom ♪ ♪ Rings ♪ ♪ Go down, Moses ♪ ♪ Way down in Egypt's Land ♪ ♪ Tell ol' Pharaoh ♪ ♪ Let my people go ♪ The Negro folk song, "The Rhythmic Cry Of The Slave" stands today not simply as the soul of American music, but as the most beautiful expression of human experience born this side of the seas.

That's how W.E.B.

Du Bois describes the Negro spiritual.

These songs born out of the struggle and suffering of our enslaved ancestors shared their deep and abiding faith, and fueled their claim to liberation through the Hebrew Scriptures sustaining their efforts to sow seeds of change that led to the abolition of slavery.

(piano music) ♪ I believe in the sun ♪ ♪ I believe in the sun ♪ ♪ Even when ♪ ♪ Even when it's not shining ♪ ♪ I believe in the sun ♪ ♪ I believe in the sun ♪ ♪ Even when ♪ ♪ Even when it's not shining ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ Even when ♪ ♪ Even when I don't feel it ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ Even when ♪ ♪ Even when I don't feel it ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ Even when ♪ ♪ Even when I don't feel it ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ I believe in love ♪ ♪ Even when ♪ ♪ Even when I don't feel it ♪ ♪ I believe in God ♪ ♪ I believe in God ♪ ♪ Even when ♪ ♪ Even when God is silent ♪ (choir harmonizing) ♪ Sing la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ In these times when conventions fail ♪ ♪ In times of national reckoning ♪ ♪ When we've lost the norms that comfort us ♪ ♪ And there are no rules for trusting ♪ ♪ When habits of civility ♪ ♪ Are broken by the masses ♪ ♪ When hard times push us down so hard ♪ ♪ We've crushed the middle classes ♪ ♪ When we've blocked the flow of justice ♪ ♪ And coercion trumps conversing ♪ ♪ In times like these we need a song ♪ ♪ To keep our spirits stirring ♪ ♪ Sing la la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ Sing la la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ Let this song be a healing balm ♪ ♪ An offering of thanksgiving ♪ ♪ To those who with their every breath ♪ ♪ Have given life to freedom ♪ ♪ Let this song be a solemn chant ♪ ♪ A note of recognition ♪ ♪ For those who've have suffered unto death ♪ ♪ A life without redemption ♪ ♪ Let this song be a selfless prayer ♪ ♪ When neither rhymes nor reason ♪ ♪ Can assuage the fears of loss and love ♪ ♪ That close our hearts to giving ♪ ♪ Let this song be an anthem ♪ ♪ When in joyful celebration ♪ ♪ We rise to speak our truth ♪ ♪ And stand for justice across our nation ♪ ♪ Let this song be a window ♪ ♪ With an unobstructed view ♪ ♪ Through which you see the God in me ♪ ♪ And I the God in you ♪ ♪ Sing la la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ Sing la la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ We have a reason to sing this song ♪ ♪ We have the power to sing this song ♪ ♪ We have the courage to sing this song ♪ ♪ We have the spirit to sing this song ♪ ♪ We have a love to sing this song ♪ ♪ We have the hope to sing this song ♪ ♪ We have the choice to sing this song ♪ ♪ We have the right to sing this song ♪ ♪ So sing la la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ La la, la la, la la, la la, la la ♪ ♪ This little light of mine ♪ When I think of songs advancing movements of social change, my mind is drawn to the work of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, organized on the visionary leadership of Ella Baker, SNCC, as they recall, is a grassroots campaign that wanted to lift their voices up while laying down their arms, adhering to the principles of non-violent action and love for humankind.

They propelled the civil rights movement forward in so many different ways.

Citizens, freedom rights, voter registration drives, and in all of this, they use familiar songs, songs that they grew up with that were part of their faith tradition, and they adapted the lyrics for each and every occasion.

So when they needed to stir spirits, they sang.

♪ Keep your eyes on the prize ♪ ♪ Hold on ♪ And when they needed courage, they sang.

♪ Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around ♪ And when they're ready to get on the bus to move to the next location, they sang.

♪ Get on board, little children ♪ ♪ Let's fight for human rights ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down your arms, your arms ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Why don't you rise up and lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Lay down your arms ♪ ♪ There comes a time to speak ♪ ♪ For the common ground ♪ ♪ Because silence divides us ♪ ♪ There comes a time to take our stand ♪ ♪ For the right to live ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up and lay down your arms, your arms ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up and lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Now is the time to fix our common fears ♪ ♪ Because hiding betrays us ♪ ♪ Now is the time we make a change ♪ ♪ To unite our song ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up and lay down you arms, your arms ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up and lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Lay down these burdens ♪ ♪ Heal our common wounds ♪ ♪ And leave violence behind us ♪ ♪ Behind us ♪ ♪ Rise up and sing ♪ ♪ We sing for peace and we stand for love ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down, lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up and lay down your arms, your arms ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, rise up ♪ ♪ And lay down ♪ ♪ Rise up, why don't you lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Why don't you rise up, yeah rise up ♪ ♪ Why don't you lay down, lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Why don't you rise up, yeah rise up ♪ ♪ Why don't you lay down, lay down your arms ♪ ♪ Why don't you rise up ♪ ♪ We all need somebody to lean on ♪ (orchestral music) ♪ Sometimes in our lives ♪ ♪ We all have pain ♪ ♪ We all have sorrow ♪ ♪ But if we are wise ♪ ♪ We know that there's always tomorrow ♪ ♪ Lean on me ♪ ♪ When you're not strong ♪ ♪ And I'll be your friend ♪ ♪ I'll help you carry on ♪ ♪ For it won't be long ♪ ♪ Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on ♪ ♪ Please swallow your pride ♪ ♪ If I have things you need to borrow ♪ ♪ For no one can fill ♪ ♪ Those of your needs that you won't let show ♪ ♪ Just call on me brother when you need a hand ♪ ♪ We all need somebody to lean on ♪ ♪ I just might have a problem that you'll understand ♪ ♪ We all need somebody to lean on ♪ ♪ Lean on me when you're not strong ♪ ♪ And I'll be your friend ♪ ♪ I'll help you carry on ♪ ♪ For it won't be long ♪ ♪ Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on ♪ ♪ If there is a load you'll have to bear ♪ ♪ That you can't carry ♪ ♪ I'm right up the road ♪ ♪ And I'll share your load ♪ ♪ If you just call me ♪ ♪ We all need somebody to lean on ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ ♪ If you need a friend ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ ♪ When you're all alone ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ ♪ When you're down and out ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ ♪ When you need a friend ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ ♪ I will help you out ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ ♪ Let's give it a shot ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ ♪ When you just call me ♪ ♪ Call me ♪ Even as we continue to sing songs that have sustained our spirits and have encouraged us for generations, we know that new songs are required for new times.

When we were fighting for voting rights, we adapted a gospel favorite to sing.

♪ Come on, come on, come on ♪ ♪ Don't you want to vote ♪ And as access to clean water was threatened due to lead and pipes and coal ash spilling into neighborhoods occupied by Black and Brown persons we sang.

♪ Somebody's poisoning our water ♪ ♪ And we won't be silent anymore ♪ Well, this is the part of the program we want you to sing along with us as we introduce you to new songs for these days.

♪ Far too long ♪ (orchestral music) ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the spark in the night ♪ ♪ The spark that burst all the fires ♪ ♪ And sing with all the light ♪ ♪ We are the children of the Earth ♪ ♪ We are the light in the dark ♪ ♪ We hold each other well ♪ ♪ When life gets hard ♪ ♪ As we are young kids, we are often outspoken ♪ ♪ Nobody listens to our dreams or what we have been hopin' ♪ ♪ But because we love each other and we keep on pokin' ♪ ♪ The doors of creativity can finally be open ♪ ♪ You know that we are artists ♪ ♪ You know that we are dreamers ♪ ♪ We are a family, full of fun and strong believers ♪ ♪ And together we're believing in a lot of things ♪ ♪ One of which is that all of our futures will be supreme ♪ ♪ We believe in each other ♪ ♪ Love, trumped by no other ♪ ♪ We are each other's father, sister, brother ♪ ♪ And even mother ♪ ♪ We will always be there for one another ♪ ♪ We are the lightning booming out heavy thunder ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the spark in the night ♪ ♪ The spark that burst all the fires ♪ ♪ And sing with all the light ♪ ♪ We are the children of the Earth ♪ ♪ We are the light in the dark ♪ ♪ We hold each other well ♪ ♪ When life gets hard ♪ ♪ I wanna feel like I belong ♪ ♪ I can't feel it if the loving ain't strong ♪ ♪ That's why we are writing this song ♪ ♪ You can sing along, tag along ♪ ♪ As we find the difference between right and wrong ♪ ♪ On a mission to find peace, abolish the police ♪ ♪ Where everyone has guidance to stay safe in the streets ♪ ♪ Like wandering little geese ♪ ♪ We're nothing less but complete ♪ ♪ Without each other ♪ ♪ We might be subject to cease in existence ♪ ♪ Stand with us ♪ ♪ It's not an ask, it's a plea to your tolerance ♪ ♪ The world is shook and it seems so corrupt ♪ ♪ I'm about to tell you something so listen up ♪ ♪ I'm only telling you once ♪ ♪ You in the front, even you in the back ♪ ♪ It's over time at any time ♪ ♪ They take control and kick back ♪ ♪ Our population's being run by a bunch of amnesiacs ♪ ♪ Black Lives will always matter and that's a fact ♪ ♪ The solution's simple ♪ ♪ It ain't like poppin' pimples ♪ ♪ Just listen to our words the fire will soon rekindle ♪ ♪ Yeah, we can save the world ♪ ♪ All we gotta do is try ♪ ♪ Finding a rhythm in the system ♪ ♪ We can stand up and unite ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the spark in the night ♪ ♪ The spark that burst all the fires ♪ ♪ And sing with all the light ♪ ♪ We are the children of the Earth ♪ ♪ We are the light in the dark ♪ ♪ We hold each other well ♪ ♪ When life gets hard ♪ (instruments playing) ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ ♪ We are the music in the hate ♪ (clapping) ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ Don't give up hope ♪ ♪ Don't give up hope ♪ ♪ You're not alone ♪ ♪ You're not alone ♪ ♪ Don't you give up ♪ ♪ Don't you give up ♪ ♪ Keep moving on ♪ ♪ Keep moving on ♪ ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ Lift up your eyes ♪ ♪ Lift up your eyes ♪ ♪ Don't you despair ♪ ♪ Don't you despair ♪ ♪ Look up ahead ♪ ♪ Look up ahead ♪ ♪ The path is there ♪ ♪ The path is there ♪ ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ I know you're scared ♪ ♪ I know you're scared ♪ ♪ And I'm scared too ♪ ♪ And I'm scared too ♪ ♪ But here I am ♪ ♪ But here I am ♪ ♪ Right next to you ♪ ♪ Right next to you ♪ ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ You got to put one foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ One foot in front of the other ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ ♪ And lead with love ♪ - You know, this song was born out of some of the people that had started the Million Artist Movement.

They say the revolution has to be musical.

So the chorus goes.

♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ Some people think that there should be new verses, maybe you got something new to say within it.

And I wanna hear from you.

I wanna hear what you're thinking, what's in your body, what's your body telling you, or if you feel like sharing it.

♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ ♪ There go my sister, hey, marching with me ♪ ♪ There go my brother, hey, marching with me ♪ ♪ There go my family, hey, marching with me ♪ ♪ There's my mother marching on till the people are free ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ ♪ Hey there policeman, hey, I can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hey there policeman, I can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hey there policeman, I can't breathe ♪ ♪ Lay down your weapons and your badges ♪ ♪ And listen to me ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ ♪ Can I see your President, marching with me ♪ ♪ I wanna see your Mayor, marching with me ♪ ♪ I'd like to see your Senator, marching with me ♪ ♪ Come join my family as we marching on equality ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ ♪ Maybe tomorrow ♪ ♪ When the people are free ♪ ♪ Maybe tomorrow ♪ ♪ We can have some equality ♪ ♪ Maybe tomorrow ♪ ♪ I can truly breathe ♪ ♪ 'Til then my voice will fill the streets ♪ ♪ Let the people be free ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ The day gonna come when I won't march no more ♪ ♪ But while my sister ain't equal ♪ ♪ And my brother can't breathe ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ ♪ Hand and hand with my family, we will fill these streets ♪ You know, there are so many different ways to march and whether that's making it possible for other people to physically march, or whether it's making somebody who is affected by whatever crimes, whatever horror is going on, whatever tragedy and thing, making life a little easier or better for them, that's another way of marching too.

There's so many different ways to support Black liberation.

There's so many different ways.

There's so few excuses.

- As a community, we continue to grieve with the families of Daunte Wright, George Floyd, Philando Castile, Jamar Clark, and countless others whose lives are brutally and unnecessarily stripped away because of the color of their skin.

Ella Baker said that, "We who believe in the freedom cannot rest until the killing of Black mother's sons becomes as important as the killing of white mother's sons to the rest of the country."

The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked a call for us to say their names to honor our fallen heroes.

And it compels us to do our part, to bring an end to racism and unjust structures.

(heavy stomping) ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ She cannot be forgotten by us ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ She cannot be forgotten by us ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Put her name in the air ♪ (exhaling) ♪ Put her name in the air ♪ (exhaling) ♪ Put her name in the air ♪ (exhaling) ♪ Put her name in the air ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ She cannot be forgotten by us ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Put her name in the air ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Put her name in the air ♪ ♪ She cannot be forgotten by us ♪ ♪ Put her name in the air ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ - [Choir] Say her name.

- [Male Voice] Breonna Taylor.

- [Choir] Say her name.

- [Female Voice] Atatiana Jefferson.

♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ - [Female Voice] Pamela Turner.

♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Put his name in the air ♪ - [Male Voice] Jamar Clark.

♪ Put his name in the air ♪ - [Female Voice] Say his name.

- [Male Voice] Philando Castile.

♪ Put his name in the air ♪ - [Female Voice] Say his name.

- [Male Voice] George Floyd.

♪ Put his name in the air ♪ - [Male Voice] Daunte Wright.

(heavy stomping) ♪ Say their names ♪ ♪ Say their names ♪ ♪ Say their names ♪ ♪ They cannot be forgotten by us ♪ ♪ Say their names ♪ ♪ Say their names ♪ ♪ Say their names ♪ ♪ Say their names ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ She cannot be forgotten by us ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ She cannot be forgotten by us ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ ♪ Say her name ♪ (exhales) ♪ For God ♪ ♪ So loved ♪ ♪ For God so loved the world ♪ ♪ That He gave ♪ ♪ His only begotten Son ♪ ♪ That whosoever ♪ ♪ believeth in Him ♪ ♪ Shall not perish ♪ ♪ But have eternal life ♪ ♪ For God ♪ ♪ So loved ♪ ♪ For God so loved the world ♪ ♪ The world ♪ - The emergence of COVID-19 has exacerbated the disparities surrounding access to food, housing, and medical care.

The resulting convergence with an ongoing racial pandemic has shed a bright light on the abject racism and systemic dehumanization of Black, Brown, Asian American and Pacific Islander lives.

As we approach the other side, will we be the same?

Or will the songs that we sing together harness the power to inspire change?

(cymbals clanging lightly) - COVID.

- George Floyd.

- Racism.

- Breonna Taylor.

- Insurrection.

- Depression.

- Mental Health.

- Zoom education.

- Climate change.

- Global warming.

- Food shortage.

- Wealth inequality.

- Global panic.

♪ I am weary now ♪ ♪ On the other side, the other side ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Or will you and I ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ What have we heard ♪ ♪ What have we seen ♪ ♪ What have we learned ♪ ♪ What does it mean ♪ ♪ On the other side, the outside ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Or will you and I ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ What have we heard ♪ ♪ What have we seen ♪ ♪ What have we learned ♪ ♪ What does it mean ♪ ♪ On the other side of fear ♪ ♪ Is when our dreams finally appear ♪ ♪ On the other side of pain ♪ ♪ We make sure they aren't gone in vain ♪ ♪ When disease took over ♪ ♪ We became mundane from day to day ♪ ♪ I'm breaking the chain, 'cause no matter what you say ♪ ♪ We won't let Corona get in our way ♪ ♪ Rise up ♪ ♪ Come on, get up on your feet and ♪ ♪ Rise up ♪ ♪ We'll be shooting through the breeze, you'll find us ♪ ♪ With an eye to victory ♪ ♪ 'Cause together we're better than any powerful disease ♪ ♪ No matter the weather, we won't be admitting defeat ♪ ♪ Birds of a feather, whenever we fall down on our knees ♪ ♪ Guaranteed, it's our reality ♪ ♪ Please believe, that soon, we are gonna be ♪ ♪ On the other side, the outside ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Or will you and I ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ On the other side, the outside ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Or will you and I ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ What have we heard ♪ ♪ What have we heard ♪ ♪ What have we seen ♪ ♪ What have we seen ♪ ♪ What have we learned ♪ ♪ What have we learned ♪ ♪ What does it mean ♪ ♪ This is a message to the people ♪ ♪ That we're all standing equal ♪ ♪ Ain't no take back ♪ ♪ 'Less you can give back the lives that you took ♪ ♪ But you can't, no retract ♪ ♪ Ain't no retract 'specially not a kneecap ♪ ♪ Bust into her house and everybody oversees that ♪ ♪ Tired of the cop slack, tired of the talk back ♪ ♪ All Black Lives Matter, three states, all facts ♪ ♪ Rise up ♪ ♪ Time to stop the bigotry, we'll ♪ ♪ Rise up ♪ ♪ Ain't no cage, we got the key, you'll ♪ ♪ Find us ♪ ♪ With our fists up, feet down stomping out a melody ♪ ♪ That will create surround sound ♪ ♪ Waves going everywhere, message going from here to there ♪ ♪ I'll see you there ♪ ♪ But you better make sure that your voice is up ♪ ♪ Everybody screaming "Black Lives Matter" ♪ ♪ So that they know it's us ♪ ♪ On the other side, the outside ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Or will you and I ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ On the other side ♪ ♪ The outside ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Or will you and I ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ♪ ♪ Oh on the other side ♪ ♪ Oh on the other side ♪ ♪ Ooh ooh ♪ ♪ On the other side, on the other side ♪ ♪ I will be fine ♪ ♪ I know what I've lost ♪ ♪ But I know I'll be fine ♪ ♪ I'd rather be fine ♪ ♪ I'll continue to be fine ♪ ♪ At least I'll get out ♪ ♪ And I don't know if I ♪ ♪ I'll see you on the other side ♪ ♪ On the other side ♪ (instruments playing) ♪ On the other ♪ ♪ On the other side ♪ ♪ On the other side, the outside ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ On the other side, the outside ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ Grow up through the pain ♪ ♪ On the other side ♪ ♪ Will we be the same there on the other side ♪ ♪ On the other side ♪ (piano music) ♪ This song we sing is our hearts' prayer to you ♪ ♪ O God of Peace ♪ ♪ Please send your Dove ♪ ♪ Your Spirit of Love ♪ ♪ To help our torments cease ♪ ♪ The world is tired ♪ ♪ Of war and blood and fear ♪ ♪ The tears we've cried ♪ ♪ The pain inside ♪ ♪ O Spirit, draw us near ♪ (piano music) ♪ So keep us true to our hearts' vow ♪ ♪ To show the world your love ♪ ♪ May bias wane and joy remain ♪ ♪ As we sing to You above ♪ ♪ We pray, O God ♪ ♪ You take away our fear ♪ ♪ The tears we've cried ♪ ♪ The pain inside ♪ ♪ O Spirit, draw us near ♪ ♪ We pray, O God ♪ ♪ You take away our fear ♪ ♪ The tears we've cried ♪ ♪ The pain inside ♪ ♪ O Spirit, draw us near ♪ (piano music) - As we acknowledge where we've been as a country and take time to reflect upon the pain, the grief, and the trauma that has been imposed upon so many people of color for far too long, we will overcome when we can acknowledge our racist past and the injustices upon which this country was founded.

We will overcome when we commit to work together and use our collective voice to resist injustice.

We will overcome when we challenge our communities, our cities, our States, and our country to do the hard and necessary work towards becoming a more equitable and loving nation for everyone.

♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ Oh, deep in my heart ♪ ♪ I do believe ♪ ♪ That we shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ Oh, deep in my heart ♪ ♪ I do believe ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ Someday ♪ ♪ We'll walk hand in hand ♪ ♪ We'll walk hand in hand ♪ ♪ We'll walk hand in hand ♪ ♪ Someday ♪ ♪ Deep in my heart ♪ ♪ I do believe ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ We shall overcome someday ♪ ♪ Somebody's hurting our children ♪ ♪ And it's gone on far too long ♪ ♪ Yes it's gone on far too long ♪ ♪ Gonna tell you it's gone on far too long ♪ ♪ Somebody's hurting our children ♪ ♪ And it's gone on far too long ♪ ♪ And we won't be silent anymore ♪ - [Announcer] Funding for Stage has been provided by The Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and these funders.