♪ JOYFUL, JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE ♪ ♪ GOD OF GLORY, LORD OF LOVE ♪ ♪ HEARTS UNFOLD LIKE FLOWERS BEFORE THEE ♪ ♪ HAIL THE SUN ABOVE ♪ ♪ THE CLOUDS OF SIN AND SADNESS ♪ ♪ DRIVE THE DARK OF DOUBT AWAY ♪ ♪ GIVER OF IMMORTAL GLADNESS, FILL US WITH THE LIFE OF DAY ♪ TIER NETTA, TIERNEY, TIERNEY.

FILL US WITH THE LIFE OF DAY ♪ ♪ JOYFUL JOYFUL LORD WE ADORE THEE ♪ ♪ GOD OF GLORY ♪ ♪ DRIVE THE DARK OF DOUBT AWAY ♪ ♪ GIVER OF IMMORTAL GLADNESS, FILL US WITH THE LIFE OF DAY ♪ ♪ LIGHT OF DAY ♪ ♪ JOYFUL, JOYFUL, WHEN I WAS A JUNKER, I CAME TO KNOW YOU WERE THE ONLY WAY TO GO ♪ ♪ IF YOU HAVE TELL ME THAT YOU'RE DONE WITH ME, I'M DOWN WITH GOD ♪ ♪ GOD OF GLORY, GIVE THE GLORY OF THE DAY ♪ ♪ THE LORD OF GLORY ♪ ♪ BY THE WAY ♪ ♪ WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY ♪ ♪ WHAT HAVE YOU DONE MORE LATELY ♪ ♪ GLORY SING, GLORY SING ♪ ♪ JOYFUL, JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE ♪ ♪ GOD OF GLORY, HAIL THE EVER LASTING LORD ♪ ♪ DRIVE THE DARK OF DOUBT AWAY ♪ ♪ FEEL THE LIGHT OF DAY ♪ ♪ FILL US WITH THE LIGHT OF DAY ♪ ♪ FILL US LORD ♪ ♪ FILL US WITH THE LIGHT OF DAY ♪ ♪ FILL US WITH THE LIGHT OF DAY ♪ ♪ LIGHT OF DAY ♪♪ [.

[APPLAUSE] >> THE CONCERT CELEBRATED DR. KING'S EFFORTS TO UNITE PEOPLE THROUGH INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC AND HIS WRITINGS.

DR. KING WAS A BAPTIST MINISTER AND HE BECAME INVOLVED IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLE IN THE LATE 1950'S.

HE FOUGHT FOR CIVIC JUSTICE, ECONOMIC EQUALITY, AND BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS.

HE CAME TO BELIEVE IN NONVIOLENT SOCIAL PROTEST AND WAS OFTEN JAILED FOR FIGHTING RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

SUCH WAS THE CASE IN AUGUST OF 1963, WEEKS BEFORE THE GREAT MARCH ON WASHINGTON.

KING WAS ARRESTED FOR PROTESTING SEGREGATION IN BIRMINGHAM.

HIS ACTIONS WERE CRITICIZED BY A NUMBER OF WHITE CLERGY IN THE SOUTH.

>> MY DEAR FELLOW CLERGYMEN, WHILE CONFINED HERE IN THE BIRMINGHAM CITY JAIL, I CAME ACROSS YOUR RECENT STATEMENT CALLING MY PRESENT ACTIVITIES "UNWISE AND UNTIMELY."

I AM IN BIRMINGHAM BECAUSE INJUSTICE IS HERE.

JUST AS THE PROPHETS OF THE 8th CENTURY B.C.

LEFT THEIR VILLAGES AND CARRIED THEIR "THUS SAITH THE LORD" FAR BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR HOMETOWNS AND JUST AS THE APOSTLE PAUL LEFT HIS VILLAGE OF TARSUS AND CARRIED THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TO THE FAR CORNERS OF THE GRECO ROMAN WORLD, SO AM I COMPELLED TO CARRY THE GOSPEL OF FREEDOM BEYOND MY OWN HOMETOWN.

♪♪ >> I CANNOT SIT IDLY BY IN ATLANTA AND NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN BIRMINGHAM.

INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.

WE ARE CAUGHT IN AN INESCAPABLE NETWORK OF MUTUALITY, TIED IN A SINGLE GARMENT OF DESTINY.

WHATEVER AFFECTS ONE DIRECTLY, AFFECTS ALL INDIRECTLY.

WE HAVE WAITED FOR MORE THAN 340 YEARS FOR OUR CONSTITUTIONAL AND GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS.

THE NATIONS OF ASIA AND AFRICA ARE MOVING WITH JET-LIKE SPEED TOWARD GAINING POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE, BUT WE STILL CREEP AT HORSE AND BUGGY PACE TOWARD GAINING A CUP OF COFFEE AT A LUNCH COUNTER.

PERHAPS IT IS EASY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER FELT THE STINGING DARTS OF SEGREGATION TO SAY, "WAIT," BUT WHEN YOU HAVE SEEN VICIOUS MOBS LYNCH YOUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS AT WILL AND DROWN YOUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS AT WHIM, WHEN YOU HAVE SEEN HATE-FILLED POLICEMEN CURSE, KICK, AND EVEN KILL YOUR BLACK BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHEN YOU SEE THE VAST MAJORITY OF YOUR 20 MILLION NEGRO BROTHERS SMOTHERING IN AN AIRTIGHT CAGE OF POVERTY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN AFFLUENT SOCIETY, THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY WE FIND IT DIFFICULT TO WAIT.

THERE COMES A TIME WHEN THE CUP OF ENDURANCE RUNS OVER AND MEN ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO BE PLUNGED INTO THE ABYSS OF DESPAIR.

WE WILL HAVE TO REPENT IN THIS GENERATION NOT MERELY FOR THE HATEFUL WORDS AND ACTIONS OF THE BAD PEOPLE, BUT FOR THE APPALLING SILENCE OF THE GOOD PEOPLE.

HUMAN PROGRESS NEVER ROLLS IN ON WHEELS OF INEVITABILITY.

IT COMES THROUGH THE TIRELESS EFFORTS OF MEN WILLING TO BE CO-WORKERS WITH GOD, AND WITHOUT THIS HARD WORK, TIME ITSELF BECOMES AN ALLY OF THE FORCES OF SOCIAL STAGNATION.

WE MUST USE TIME CREATIVELY, IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE TIME IS ALWAYS RIPE TO DO GOOD.

NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE REAL THE PROMISE OF DEMOCRACY AND TRANSFORM OUR PENDING NATIONAL ELEGY INTO A CREATIVE PSALM OF BROTHERHOOD.

NOW IS THE TIME TO LIFT OUR NATIONAL POLICY FROM THE QUICK SAND OF RACIAL INJUSTICE TO THE SOLID ROCK OF HUMAN DIGNITY.

♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ OH MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ YOU WILL HEAR THE TRUMPET SOUND ♪ ♪ TO WAKE THE NATIONS UNDERGROUND ♪ ♪ LOOKING TO MY GOD'S RIGHT HAND ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ LOOKING TO MY GOD'S RIGHT HAND ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ MY LORD, WHAT A MORNING ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ ♪ WHEN THE STARS BEGIN TO FALL ♪ >> I HAVE NO FEAR ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF OUR STRUGGLE IN BIRMINGHAM, EVEN IF OUR MOTIVES ARE AT PRESENT MISUNDERSTOOD.

WE WILL REACH THE GOAL OF FREEDOM IN BIRMINGHAM AND ALL OVER THE NATION, BECAUSE THE GOAL OF AMERICA IS FREEDOM.

ABUSED AND SCORNED THOUGH WE MAY BE, OUR DESTINY IS TIED UP WITH AMERICA'S DESTINY.

BEFORE THE PILGRIMS LANDED AT PLYMOUTH, WE WERE HERE.

BEFORE THE MEN OF JEFFERSON ETCHED THE MAJESTIC WORDS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WE WERE HERE.

FOR MORE THAN TWO CENTURIES OUR FOREBEARERS LABORED IN THIS COUNTRY WITHOUT WAGES.

THEY MADE COTTON KING.

THEY BUILT THE HOMES OF THEIR MASTERS WHILE SUFFERING GROSS INJUSTICE AND SHAMEFUL HUMILIATION, AND YET, OUT OF A BOTTOMLESS VITALITY, THEY CONTINUED TO THRIVE AND DEVELOP.

IF THE INEXPRESSIBLE CRUELTIES OF SLAVERY COULD NOT STOP US, THE OPPOSITION WE NOW FACE WILL SURELY FAIL.

WE WILL WIN OUR FREEDOM BECAUSE THE SACRED HERITAGE OF OUR NATION AND THE ETERNAL WILL OF GOD ARE EMBODIED IN OUR ECHOING DEMANDS.

♪ WHEN YOU'RE DOWN AND TROUBLED ♪ ♪ AND YOU NEED SOME LOVING CARE ♪ ♪ AND AIN'T NOTHING IS GOING RIGHT ♪ ♪ CLOSE YOUR EYES AND THINK OF ME ♪ ♪ SOON HE WILL BE THERE ♪ ♪ GOD WILL BRIGHTEN UP EVEN THE DARKEST NIGHT ♪ ♪ PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND ♪ ♪ TAKE MY HAND ♪ ♪ GIVE ME YOURS, LET ME STAND ♪ ♪ I AM PROUD, I AM WEAK ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE STORM ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE STORM ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ GUIDE ME TO THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ TAKE MY HAND, PRECIOUS LORD ♪ ♪ PRECIOUS LORD ♪ ♪ BE MY FRIEND ♪ >> CLAP YOUR FRIENDS!

♪ PRECIOUS LORD, TAKE MY HAND, LEAD ME ON AND LET ME STAND ♪ ♪ I'M TIRED AND I GET WEAK ♪ ♪ AND I GET WORN ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE SUN, THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ ♪ LEAD ME ON TO THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ AND I FEEL, YEAH, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YEAH, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A MIGHTY, MIGHTY, MIGHTY GOOD FRIEND IN JESUS ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ I WANTED YOU TO KNOW, DO YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A MIGHTY, MIGHTY, MIGHTY GOOD FRIEND IN JESUS ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ OH, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YEAH, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN JESUS ♪ ♪ YEAH, YOU'VE GOT A MIGHTY, MIGHTY, MIGHTY, MIGHTY GOOD, MIGHTY GOOD, MIGHTY, MIGHTY, MIGHTY GOOD FRIEND, A MIGHTY GOOD FRIEND ♪ ♪ YES YOU DO ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ IF ANYBODY ASKS YOU, HE'LL STAY AROUND LIKE NONE OTHER ♪ ♪ YES, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ JESUS ♪ ♪ YEAH ♪ ♪ IN JESUS, YES YOU DO ♪ ♪ I WONDER, DO YOU KNOW, DO YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN JESUS ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YEAH YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN JESUS ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ A MIGHTY GOOD FRIEND, A MIGHTY GOOD FRIEND, YES YOU DO ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND ♪ ♪ YES, YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN JESUS ♪ ♪ IN JESUS ♪♪ >> ON APRIL 4, 1967, MARTIN LUTHER KING VOICED HIS OPPOSITION TO THE VIETNAM WAR.

IT PUT HIM AT ODDS WITH SOME SUPPORTERS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND PRESIDENT LYNDON JOHNSON.

IN MAY, HE EXPLAINED HIS DECISION TO THE EDITOR OF THE "ATLANTA CONSTITUTION."

>> SOMETIMES CONSCIENCE DICTATES.

SOMETIMES CONSCIENCE DICTATES THAT YOU TAKE A POSITION THAT IS NEITHER SAFE NOR POLITIC, NOR POPULAR, BUT YOU MUST TAKE IT BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT.

THIS IS WHERE I FIND MYSELF TODAY.

I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A MAN IS NOT WHERE HE FINDS HIMSELF IN MOMENTS OF COMFORT AND MOMENTS OF CONVENIENCE, BUT WHERE HE FINDS HIMSELF IN MOMENTS OF CHALLENGE AND MOMENTS OF CONTROVERSY.

IT IS MY GREAT HOPE THAT THE DARK CLOUDS OF WAR WILL SOON PASS AWAY AND THE DEEP FOG OF MISUNDERSTANDING WILL BE LIFTED FROM OUR FEAR-DRENCHED WORLD, AND IN SOME NOT TOO DISTANT TOMORROW, THE RADIANT STARS OF PEACE AND BROTHERHOOD WILL SHINE OVER OUR GREAT NATION AND THE WORLD.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LETTER TO JEAN PATTERSON, MAY 10th, 1967.

♪ LORD I LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS ♪ ♪ KNOWING MY HELP IS COMING FROM YOU ♪ ♪ YOUR PEACE YOU GIVE ME IN TIME OF THE STORM ♪ ♪ YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH ♪ ♪ YOU ARE THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE ♪ ♪ I LIFT MY HANDS IN TOTAL PRAISE TO YOU ♪ ♪ LORD I LIFT UP MY EYES TO THE HILLS ♪ ♪ KNOWING MY HELP IS COMING FROM YOU ♪ ♪ YOUR PEACE YOU GIVE ME IN TIME OF THE STORM ♪ ♪ YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH ♪ ♪ YOU ARE THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE ♪ ♪ I LIFT MY HANDS IN TOTAL PRAISE TO YOU ♪ ♪ YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF MY STRENGTH ♪ ♪ YOU ARE THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE ♪ ♪ I LIFT MY HANDS IN TOTAL PRAISE TO YOU ♪ ♪ AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN ♪ ♪ AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN ♪ ♪ AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, AMEN ♪ ♪ AMEN, AMEN ♪♪ [.

[APPLAUSE] >> IN 1968, KING WENT TO MEMPHIS TO SUPPORT A STRIKE BY LOCAL GARBAGE WORKERS.

ON APRIL 4th, HE WAS ASSASSINATED ON THE BALCONY OF THE LORRAINE MOTEL.

>> FROM SENATOR ROBERT KENNEDY'S SPEECH ANNOUNCING KING'S ASSASSINATION, MARTIN LUTHER KING DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO LOVE AND TO JUSTICE BETWEEN FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS.

HE DIED IN THAT CAUSE OF THAT EFFORT.

IN THIS DIFFICULT DAY, IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME FOR THE UNITED STATES, IT'S PERHAPS WELL TO ASK WHAT KIND OF A NATION WE ARE AND WHAT DIRECTION WE WANT TO MOVE IN.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE BLACK, CONSIDERING THE EVIDENCE EVIDENTLY IS THAT THERE WERE WHITE PEOPLE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE, YOU CAN BE FILLED WITH BITTERNESS AND WITH HATRED AND A DESIRE FOR REVENGE.

WE CAN MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION AS A COUNTRY, IN GREATER POLARIZATION -- BLACK PEOPLE AMONGST BLACK AND THE WHITE AMONGST WHITE, FILLED WITH HATRED TOWARD ONE ANOTHER.

OR WE CAN MAKE AN EFFORT, AS MARTIN LUTHER KING DID, TO UNDERSTAND AND TO COMPREHEND AND REPLACE THAT VIOLENCE, THAT STAIN OF BLOODSHED THAT HAS SPREAD ACROSS OUR LAND, WITH AN EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND COMPASSION AND LOVE.

WHAT WE NEED IN THE UNITED STATES IS NOT DIVISION.

WHAT WE NEED IN THE UNITED STATES IS NOT HATRED.

WHAT WE NEED IN THE UNITED STATES IS NOT VIOLENCE OR LAWLESSNESS, BUT IS LOVE AND WISDOM, COMPASSION TOWARD ONE ANOTHER, AND A FEELING OF JUSTICE TOWARD THOSE WHO STILL SUFFER WITHIN OUR COUNTRY, WHETHER THEY BE WHITE OR WHETHER THEY BE BLACK.

>> THIS WAS HIS LAST GREAT MARCH, MY THE SPECIAL ASSISTANT ON CIVIL RIGHTS TO PRESIDENT KENNEDY.

ON APRIL 4, 1968, AT THE ATLANTA AIRPORT, CORETTA KING GOT THE CALL THAT SHE SAYS SHE HAD SUBCONSCIOUSLY BEEN WAITING FOR ALL OF HER LIFE.

HER HUSBAND "HAD FELT A MYSTICAL IDENTITY WITH THE SPIRIT AND MEANING OF CHRIST'S PASSION," AND SHE FELT IT SOMEWHAT STRANGE, YET SOMEHOW APPROPRIATE, THAT HIS DEATH SHOULD COME IN THE WEEK BEFORE EASTER.

BEFORE GOING TO MEMPHIS, IN HIS LAST SERMON AT THE EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH, MARTIN KING HAD SPOKEN OF HIS OWN DEATH, SAYING, I DON'T WANT A LONG FUNERAL.

HE ASKED FOR IT TO BE SAID ONLY THAT MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

TRIED TO GIVE HIS LIFE SERVING OTHERS, TRIED TO LOVE SOMEBODY, TRIED TO BE RIGHT ON THE WAR QUESTION.

THE FUNERAL WITH ITS MANY EULOGIES WAS FAR FROM SHORT, BUT HE WOULD HAVE APPROVED THE LONG MARCH.

"WE MARCHED AT HIS FUNERAL," CORETTA KING EXPLAINED, "BECAUSE MARTIN HAD SPENT SO MUCH OF HIS LIFE MARCHING.

THIS WAS HIS LAST GREAT MARCH."

♪♪ ♪ MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY OF THE COMING OF THE LORD ♪ ♪ HE IS TRAMPLING OUT THE VINTAGE WHERE THE GRAPES OF WRATH ARE STORED ♪ ♪ HE HAS LOOSED THE FATEFUL LIGHTNING OF HIS TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ ON AND ON ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ I HAVE SEEN HIM IN THE WATCH-FIRES OF A HUNDRED CIRCLING CAMPS ♪ ♪ THEY HAVE BUILDED HIM AN ALTER IN THE EVENING DEWS AND DAMPS ♪ ♪ I CAN SEEN HIS RIGHTEOUS SENTENCE BY THE DIM AND FLARING LAMPS ♪ ♪ HIS DAY IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY, HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪♪ ♪ IN THE BEAUTY OF THE LILIES CHRIST WAS BORN ACROSS THE SEA ♪ ♪ WITH A GLORY IN HIS BOSOM THAT TRANSFIGURES YOU AND ME ♪ ♪ AS HE DIED TO MAKE MEN HOLY, LET US LIVE TO MAKE MEN FREE ♪ ♪ WHILE GOD IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GLORY, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪♪ ♪ AMEN ♪♪ [APPLAUSE] ♪ HIS TRUTH, IS MARCHING ON ♪ ♪♪ >> ARMED WITH FAITH IN GOD AND A BELIEF IN THE MORAL POWER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. LIT A CANDLE WHOSE FLAME GREW, LITTLE BY LITTLE, DEMONSTRATION BY DEMONSTRATION, AND MARCH BY MARCH, INTO AN ILLUMINATING FIRE OF OLYMPIAN PROPORTIONS.

HIS FIRE WAS A FIRE BY WHICH AMERICA CAME TO SEE BOTH THE SINS OF ITS RACIAL PAST AND THE PROMISE OF A FUTURE BIG ENOUGH TO ENCOMPASS THE DREAMS AND GIFTS OF ALL.

DR. KING WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TO ACKNOWLEDGE HOWEVER THAT HE WAS HOLDING UP A TORCH LIT LONG BEFORE, A FIRE OF FAITH PASSED ON IN THE WORDS OF SPIRITUALS THAT WERE FIRST SUNG IN THE TIME OF ENSLAVEMENT.

HIS RINGING ORATORICAL ELOQUENCE FREQUENTLY EMPLOYED PHRASES AND IMAGES FROM SONGS THAT HAD BUOYED AND BOLSTERED THE SPIRITS OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE HIM.

THE SPIRITUALS HAD A HOME IN HIS HEART, SO IT IS NO ACCIDENT THAT DR. KING MADE HIS VOW UNTO THE LORD AND NEVER TURNED BACK.

♪ DONE MADE MY VOW TO THE LORD ♪ DONE MADE MY VOW TO THE LORD ♪ I MADE MY VOW TO THE LORD ♪ ♪ AND I NEVER WILL TURN BACK ♪ ♪ I WILL GO, I SHALL GO, TO SEE WHAT THE END WILL BE ♪ ♪ OH MY LORD ♪ ♪ I MADE MY VOW TO THE LORD AND I NEVER WILL TURN BACK ♪ ♪ I WILL LORD, I SHALL LORD, I WILL GO, I SHALL GO, TO SEE WHAT THE END WILL BE ♪ ♪ WHEN I WAS A MOURNER JUST LIKE YOU ♪ ♪ TO SEE WHAT THE END WILL BE ♪ ♪ I MOURNED TILL I CAME THROUGH ♪ ♪ TO SEE WHAT THE END BE ♪ ♪ WHEN EVERY STAR REFUSED TO SHINE ♪ ♪ TO SEE WHAT THE END WILL BE ♪ ♪ I KNOW KING JESUS WILL BE MINE ♪ ♪ TO SEE WHAT THE END WILL BE ♪ ♪ I MADE MY VOW TO THE LORD ♪ ♪ AND I NEVER WILL TURN BACK ♪ ♪ I WILL GO, I SHALL GO, TO SEE WHAT THE END WILL BE ♪ ♪ I MADE THE VOW TO THE LORD ♪ ♪ AND I NEVER WILL TURN BACK ♪ ♪ I WILL GO, I SHALL GO, I WILL GO, I SHALL GO, I WILL GO, I SHALL GO, TO SEE WHAT THE END WILL BE ♪ >> DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

APPEARED ON THE WORLD'S STAGE AT AN HOUR WHEN THE DARKNESS WAS DEEP.

A PEOPLE WHO NEARLY A CENTURY EARLIER HAD BEEN FREED FROM THE SHACKLES OF SLAVERY FOUND THEMSELVES STILL BOUND BY A MYRIAD OF UNJUST LAWS AND ENTRENCHED SOCIAL CUSTOMS.

WHEN THE MOST AFFLUENT SOCIETY ON EARTH SAT DOWN AT THE TABLE OF PLENTY, THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF AFRICA ASSISTED WITH PREPARING THE FEAST AND WITH CLEANING UP AFTERWARD, BUT THEY WERE DENIED SEATING AT THE BANQUET TABLE.

THE DARKNESS OF DESPAIR ROLLED IN LIKE A THICK FOG, OBSCURING THE PATH TO FREEDOM, JUSTICE, AND EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY.

IN THIS CLIMATE OF NEAR HOPELESSNESS, WHEN THE INCENDIARY MIXTURE OF FEAR AND FRUSTRATION NEEDED ONLY THE SLIGHTEST SPARK TO IGNITE IT INTO VIOLENCE, A NEW LIGHT APPEARED.

A YOUNG BAPTIST MINISTER WHO HAD STUDIED THE NONVIOLENT PHILOSOPHY OF MOHANDAS GANDHI AND HAD TAKEN IT TO HEART SAW IN A NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE THE TOOL NEEDED TO MOVE A NATION OUT OF THE PERPLEXING MAZE OF RACIAL INJUSTICE AND ON TO THE SIMPLE PATHWAY OF PEACE.

♪♪ ♪ NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN ♪ ♪ NOBODY KNOWS BUT JESUS ♪ ♪ NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN, GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ SOMETIMES I'M UP, AND SOMETIMES I'M DOWN ♪ ♪ YES, LORD, YOU KNOW SOMETIMES I'M ALMOST TO THE GROUND ♪ ♪ OH YES, LORD ♪ ♪ NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN ♪ ♪ NOBODY KNOWS BUT JESUS, NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I'VE SEEN ♪ ♪ GLORY HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪♪ >> MUCH HAS CHANGED IN THE DECADES SINCE DR. KING'S DEATH, ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS AT TIMES THAT TOO MUCH HAS STAYED THE SAME.

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT AS LONG AS HE IS SEEN CHIEFLY AS A HERO FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS, THE BREADTH AND MAGNITUDE OF HIS CONTRIBUTION WILL HAVE BEEN MISSED FOR HE CAME TO SET US ALL FREE FROM THE SUFFOCATING EFFECTS OF BIGOTRY AND INTOLERANCE.

AMERICA WOULD HAVE LITTLE BASIS FOR EXERTING MORAL LEADERSHIP IN THE WORLD IF IT HAD NOT COME SO FAR IN THE ERADICATION OF ITS OWN BRAND OF APARTHEID AT HOME.

STILL, MANY BATTLES ARE YET UNWON IN THE WAR DR. KING DIED FIGHTING WITHOUT RECOURSE TO BULLETS AND BOMBS, HIS LIGHT STILL SHINES.

AND THOSE TODAY WHO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE OF OVERCOMING HATRED WITH LOVE ARE RESPONDING, AS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DID, TO THE CLARION CALL OF THAT OLD SPIRITUAL THAT SAID, HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT, YOU HEAVEN-BOUND SOLDIERS, HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT AND LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AROUND THE WORLD.

♪♪ ♪ HOLD UP THE LIGHT, ALL YE HEAVEN BOUND SOLDIERS ♪ ♪ HOLD UP THE LIGHT, HOLD UP THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT, ALL YE HEAVEN BOUND SOLDIERS ♪ ♪ HOLD UP THE LIGHT, HOLD UP THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AROUND THE WORLD ♪ ♪ HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT, ALL YOU HEAVEN BOUND SOLDIERS ♪ ♪ HOLD UP THE LIGHT, HOLD UP THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AROUND THE WORLD ♪ ♪ HOLD UP THE LIGHT, HOLD UP THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ HOLD UP THE LIGHT, HOLD UP THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AROUND THE WORLD ♪ ♪ HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT, ALL YOU HEAVEN BOUND SOLDIERS ♪ ♪ HOLD OUT YOUR LIGHT, HOLD UP THE LIGHT ♪ ♪ LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE AROUND THE WORLD ♪ ♪ LET HIS SHINE ALL AROUND US, LET HIS TRUTH SHINE ♪ ♪ HIS LIGHT WILL SHINE ♪ >> WITH THIS FAITH, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO TRANSFORM THE JANGLING DISCORDS OF OUR NATION INTO A BEAUTIFUL SYMPHONY OF BROTHERHOOD -- FROM EVERY MOUNTAINSIDE, LET FREEDOM RING, LET FREEDOM RING, LET FREEDOM RING.

[APPLAUSE] ♪♪ ♪ LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE ♪ ♪ OF THY PEACE ♪ ♪ WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE ♪ ♪ WHERE THERE IS INJURY, YOUR PARDON LORD ♪ ♪ WHERE THERE IS DOUBT LET THERE BE FAITH ♪ ♪ WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, LET ME BRING HOPE ♪ ♪ WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LET THERE BE LIGHT ♪ WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, LET THERE BE JOY ♪ ♪ O DIVINE MASTER, GRANT THAT I MAY NOT SO MUCH SEEK TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE ♪ ♪ TO BE UNDERSTOOD, AS TO UNDERSTAND, TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE ♪ ♪ FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE ♪ ♪ IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED ♪ ♪ AND IT'S IN DYING THAT WE ARE BORN TO ETERNAL LIFE, TO ETERNAL LIFE ♪