Augsburg Fortress

In putting together a service to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., it became clear that we needed to sing "We Shall Overcome." I realized that I did not know of a particular choral arrangement of this beloved American freedom song, so I decided to create one of my own. This arrangement begins with a sense that the group's spiritual power is emerging as if from a distance. As the singing progresses, the drumbeat drives the energy of the marchers along. Stanzas for women and men come first with rich, sonorous harmony, then all voices join together—softly but intently—to proclaim, "We are not afraid." This fearless stanza builds gradually to a terrific climax as the choir sings fervently and with conviction the ultimate promise: "God will see us through . . . someday." May this music and its message inspire us all to a more courageous faith and a deeper love that we may call upon God to see us through . . . someday.