I believe! Texts
CREDO
I believe in God who made of one blood all races that dwell on earth. I believe that all men, black and white, are brothers, varying through Time and Opportunity, in form and gift and feature, but differing in no essential particular, and alike in soul and in the possibility of infinite development.
Especially do I believe in the Negro Race; in the beauty of its genius, the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness which shall yet inherit this turbulent earth.
I believe in pride of race and lineage and self; in pride of self so deep as to scorn injustice to other selves; in pride of lineage so great as to despise no man’s father; in pride of race so chivalrous as neither to offer bastardy to the weak nor beg wedlock of the strong, knowing that men may be brothers in Christ, even though they be not brother-in-law. I believe in Service–humble reverent service, from the blackening of boots to the whitening of souls; for Work is Heaven, Idleness is Hell, and Wage is the “Well done!” of the Master who summoned all them that labor and are heavy laden, making no distinction between the black sweating cotton-hands of Georgia and the First Families of Virginia, since all distinction not based on deed is devilish and not divine.
I believe in the Devil and his angels, who wantonly work to narrow the opportunity of struggling human beings, especially if they be black; who spit in the faces of the fallen, strike them that cannot strike again, believe the worst and work to prove it, hating the image which their Maker stamped on a brother’s soul.
I believe in the Prince of Peace. I believe that War is Murder. I believe that armies and navies are at bottom the tinsel and braggadocia of oppression and wrong; and I believe that the wicked conquest of weaker and darker nations by nations whiter and stronger but foreshadows the death of that strength.
I believe in Liberty for all men; the space to stretch their arms and their souls; the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in the kingdom of God and love. I believe in the training of children, black even as white; the leading out of little souls into the green pastures and beside the still waters, not for pelf or peace, but for Life lit by some large vision of beauty and goodness and truth; lest we forget, and the sons of the fathers, like Esau, for mere meat barter their birthright in a mighty nation.
Finally, I believe in Patience–patience with the weakness of the Weak and the strength of the Strong, the prejudice of the Ignorant and the ignorance of the Blind; patience with the tardy triumph of Joy and the mad chastening of Sorrow–patience with God. –W.E.B. DuBois
Praise the Lord
O Praise the LORD, all ye nations:
praise God, all ye people.
For God’s merciful kindness is great toward us:
and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.
Praise the LORD. —Psalm 117
We shall walk through the valley in peace
We shall walk through the valley in peace;
we shall walk through the valley in peace.
Refrain:
For Jesus himself will be our leader,
we shall walk through the valley in peace.
We will meet our loved ones there. [Refrain]
There will be no trials there. [Refrain]
He’s got the whole world in his hand
He's got the whole world in His hand.
He's got the wood and the waters in His hand,
He's got the sun and the moon right in His hand,
He's got the whole world in His hand.
He's got the birds and the bees right in His hand,
He's got the beasts of the field right in His hand,
He’s got the whole world in His hand.
He's got you and me right in His hand,
He's got everybody in His hand,
He's got the whole world in His hand.
If I can help somebody
If I can help somebody as I pass along,
If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,
If I can show somebody he is traveling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
If I can do my duty as a Christian ought,
If I can bring back beauty to a world up-wrought,
If I can spread love’s message that the Master taught,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
Hold on
Noah, Noah let me come in.
Door’s all fastened and the window’s pinned.
Keep your hand on the plow. Hold on.
Noah said: "You done lost your track.
Can't plow straight and keep a-lookin back".
Keep your hand on the plow and hold on.
Hold on. Hold on.
Keep your hand on the plow . Hold on.
Mary had a golden chain,
Every link was in my Jesus’ name.
Keep your hand on the plow and hold on.
Keep on a-plowin’ and don’t you tire,
Every round goes higher and higher.
Keep your hand on the plow and hold on.
[Refrain]
Wanna go to heaven, I'll tell you how.
Keep your hand on the Gospel plow.
Keep your hand on that plow. Just hold on.
If that plow stays in your hand,
Gonna land you straight in the Promised Land,
Keep your hand on that plow and hold on.
[Refrain]
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come;
‘tis grace hath brough me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years bright shining as the sun,
we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.
I sing because I’m happy
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
I sing (oh yes I sing) because (oh because) I'm happy
I sing (oh yes I sing) because (oh because) I'm free
For his eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
I'm so happy yes
I'm so happy yes I am
For his eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me