Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day, everybody. With all due respect to U2, this is my most favourite of all the MLK songs. Patty Griffin has the most magical, haunting voice. Living with Ghosts is one of my all time favourite albums. Perfect listening for a snowy evening in January.
This song was inspired by the famous I’ve been to the Mountaintop speech, given by Martin Luther King Jr. on the last night of his life. It’s good to remember a man who truly understood the balance between love and justice.
“Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t really matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live – a long life; longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. So I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
—Martin Luther King Jr, April 3, 1968
ps…Kelly Clarkson also killed it singing this song on Idol Gives Back a couple of years ago. I almost posted this version.
I love, love, love that you love Patty Griffin. I have seen her twice in concert. She is unbelievable. Have you heard her song ‘mary’? It’s amazing.
Ok I’m super jealous that you’ve seen her in concert not once but twice! Life is not fair.