Monday, September 16, 2013

The Gospel According to Mahalia


                                     ... from the cherry red 45s at my grandfather's house 

                                                                                                     ... to the Washington Monument

   ... she had the same dream and made sure Martin told it 

                                                                              ... the gospel according to Mahalia





6 comments:

  1. Ah, Mahalia Jackson, one of the all time great spiritual singers! Yes, she believed in God, equality, and fairness for everyone. All for the good of everyone. Wonderful Post. Check this one out, a little out of the ordinary! See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR_bds86Ujg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bill, She was quite a lady, and I loved those old red 45's ... that's where I first heard of her.
      Thank you so much for the link ... very cool.

      Delete
  2. What a wonderful moment in history that was.

    The gospel according to Mahalia. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I recently read where she prompted Martin saying, "Tell 'em about the dream, Martin," I knew I wanted to write something about it and those old red 45's I listened to when I was very young ("Just a Closer Walk With Thee," I remember most) was the perfect context. So glad you like it.

      Delete
  3. Perfect, and precious poetry, Teresa.
    There is always a back story, isn't there, and Mahalia is exactly that. Had she not implored, "tell 'em about the dream, Martin", Dr. King might not have gone off-message, pushing his prepared speech aside, and urging us forward for all God's children.
    I hadn't noticed before when seeing this photo that there she is, to the right, looking right at Dr. King. Funny, how one can look at a picture for their lifetime and see something new decades later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, she's sort of looking up at him, as though it might have been the very moment she urged him on ... what a great story, and a great moment in history that belongs to all of us.

      Delete

When leaving a comment, Blogger requires you "Select a Profile." Please do so, or your comment will disappear into the ether...