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about
Rev. Charles Albert Tindley was one of the founding fathers of Gospel music and his hymn "I'll Overcome Someday" was the direct inspiration for the Civil Rights Anthem "We Shall Overcome."
This song not only pays homage to Tindley's hardscrabble journey from an orphan boy on Maryland's Eastern Shore to becoming one of Philadelphia's most influential preachers and hymnwriters, it also aims to inspire a new generation that is still fighting to "overcome" oppression, inequality, racism, and intolerance by re-telling his inpspirational story.
The song was recorded on March 14th 2020 (the day before the world went on lockdown due to Coronavirus) and will be part of a new short film of the same name that hopes to solidify Tindley's place in the history books alongside other prominent African American figures who grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland like Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass.
Mr. Tindley will be on the forthcoming album "Tall Tales and Hard Truths" from Journos in 2021.
lyrics
Verse1
Barefoot boy running on the cold cold ground
running so fast trying to catch that holy sound
daddy left in chains, momma's six feet in the ground
but the boy ain't lost he's already been found
verse2
He left that western front of the Eastern Shore
followed his people right up that postal road
put his faith in the Lord, and he worked his fingers to the bone
then he wrote a little song that helped us all carry on
Chorus
So please tell me Mr. Tindley
When will we overcome
cause I've been praying to the Father and to his only Son
Just give me one good reason why we've gotta wait till the By and By
Tell me When Will We Overcome
Verse3
There's always cowboys war-ing with peaceful tribes
cause they're taking our babies
and they're mistreating our wives
and the struggle is so real that the pain's become monetized
sometimes it all makes you wanna lose your god-dang mind
Chorus
So please tell me Mr. Tindley
When will we overcome?
cause i've been trying to love my neighbor
but I feel like the only one
just give me one good reason why
we've gotta wait till the By and By
tell me When Will We Overcome?
Solo
Bridge
When will we, finally, overcome?
4x
Outro
Tell me when (when will we)
Tell me when (finally)
Tell me when (when will we)
Finally overcome?
credits
released October 30, 2020
Music and Lyrics by Bryan Russo
Vox and Guitar: Bryan Russo
Guitar: Darnell Miller
Bass: Richard Minor
Drums: Wayne Browne, Jr.
Harmonica: Big Mike Noyes
Choir: Nihkee Bleau, Autumn Jones, Gabriel Smallwood, Michelle Thompson
Producer: Richie Rubini
Song Recorded on March 14th, 2020 Studio 825 in Wilmington DE.
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