Customer Reviews

Sing for Freedom: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Its Songs

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Anyone interested in promoting social justice through song needs this book, and at all times a spare one stuck in the guitar case or piano bench because you'll want to pass it on to others. It contains 115 songs (mostly melody lines and guitar chords); 135 crisply reproduced documentary photos from the civil rights movement and dozens of first-hand accounts from people who were there. In many cases, the writer, arranger or discoverer of the song provides the background notes. There is a companion CD by Folkways records with the same name that contains about 1/5 of the songs; it makes a nice set. Every library should have this book - what a vital way to teach history! Editors Guy and Candy Carawan are resident musicians at the Highlander Center and were in the center leading the music at many of the events discussed.

Music is powerful; it can bring joy, laughter, sadness, and most importantly, change. "Sing for Freedom: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Its Songs" is a look at music and its impact on the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Packed with sheet music, lyrics, and information on various major songs and how they pushed progress in history, "Sing for Freedom" is enhanced with black and white photographs. A fresh perspective on the period, "Sing for Freedom" is highly recommended for community library black studies and music collections.

Love this book. Has everything I need and found the specific song that I needed. Very informative, with historical visuals. Would encourage one who likes the history of civil rights music to purchase this book!