SKU: CF.CM9741

ISBN 9781491161210. UPC: 680160919802. Key: Bb major. English. African American Spiritual.

In 1961, a diverse group of student activists organized a movement called Freedom Riders to challenge racial segregation in Southern states. Their strategy was to ride busses into cities with segregation laws and deliberately break them. For instance, white students would use colored only restrooms, while black students would sit at white only food counters. The hope was that, when confronted by police, the federal government would be forced to step in and defend the students' constitutional rights. On many occasions, these demonstrations were met with violent behavior from locals, including beatings and a firebombing. Ultimately, these Freedom Riders helped lead to the abolishment of segregation by bringing national attention to the injustices of segregation. While touring, the Freedom Riders would collectively perform songs with messages about freedom and justice. One participant, African -American preacher Rev. Robert Wesby, reimagined the lyrics of the hymn Woke Up this Mornin' by replacing the name Jesus with freedom in each refrain. This version of the hymn went on to become a powerful symbol of the American civil rights movement.
In 1961, a diverse group of student activists organized a movement called “Freedom Riders” to challenge racial segregation in Southern states. Their strategy was to ride busses into cities with segregation laws and deliberately break them. For instance, white students would use “colored only” restrooms, while black students would sit at “white only” food counters. The hope was that, when confronted by police, the federal government would be forced to step in and defend the students' constitutional rights. On many occasions, these demonstrations were met with violent behavior from locals, including beatings and a firebombing. Ultimately, these “Freedom Riders” helped lead to the abolishment of segregation by bringing national attention to the injustices of segregation.While touring, the Freedom Riders would collectively perform songs with messages about freedom and justice. One participant, African -American preacher Rev. Robert Wesby, reimagined the lyrics of the hymn “Woke Up this Mornin’” by replacing the name “Jesus” with “freedom” in each refrain. This version of the hymn went on to become a powerful symbol of the American civil rights movement.