BY DR. BARBARA J. MCLEAN-SMITH, TIMES CONTRIBUTING WRITER
On April 4, 1968, I was suddenly jarred awake
Not from sleep but in my brain
The news of a peacemaker
On a balcony gunned down
I screamed and cried my face a frown
Totally confused, couldn’t understand
How someone could kill a non-violent man.
A leader who wanted so much for so many
Always pleading for all to be free
Was taken away by the aim of a gun
By a deranged person on the run
Oh Martin, oh Martin, indeed a King
A legend, a man who truly wanted
to see and have freedom ring.
How and why were you taken away
Yet, to be remembered each
and every day
You gave the world so very much
A song of freedom we yearn, yet to touch
You led and lived as a gentle lion
You died for us all as you went to ZION
Martin, oh Martin tell us the dream,
Wake us up, build us up to become supreme
In our thinking, our making, a land truly free
Of every people including me
No matter our color, race, ethnicity
There’s a place for one and a place for all
There’s a time and place
for the clarion call
Let Freedom ring is our song
Now and forever all the day long.
Let Freedom Ring!!!
