On April 3rd, 1968, the day before he was assassinated, Martin Luther King gave a speech in Memphis, Tennessee. Towards the end of his speech, King referenced the story of Moses who led his people out of slavery in Egypt. When they reached the river Jordon, God took Moses up a mountain and showed him the promise land that lay across the river. God told Moses that the Israelites would cross over into that land but first he would die. And so Moses came down from the mountain, gathered his people together and said goodbye.
These recordings were made at church rallies in the years before King's death.
Freedom |
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round |
On the afternoon of April 4th, 1968, moments before he was assassinated, Dr. King stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Hotel. He called down to Jesse Jackson and the bandleader Ben Branch, who waited in the parking lot below. "Ben, make sure you play Precious Lord, Take My Hand at the meeting tonight. And sing it real pretty." These were his last words. "OK, Doc, I will," Branch promised.
Five days later Martin Luther King's funeral was held. Rev. Abernathy opened the service by declaring it, "one of the darkest hours of mankind." As dignitaries, family, and friends pressed into the church in Atlanta, Aretha Franklin sang Dr. King's song.
Five days later Martin Luther King's funeral was held. Rev. Abernathy opened the service by declaring it, "one of the darkest hours of mankind." As dignitaries, family, and friends pressed into the church in Atlanta, Aretha Franklin sang Dr. King's song.
Precious Lord Take My Hand |
