"You never know when you're gonna need that song"

She’s standing in front of the President, the First Lady…everyone is glitzy…  Morgan Freeman announces her, the music starts, and Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon begins to sing a spiritual.

     Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘roun’
     Turn me ‘roun’
     Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘roun’
     I’m gonna keep on walkin' keep on a talkin', 
     Marching up to Freedom Land.

In between each verse, Dr Reagon tells a brief story of an amazing moment in the civil rights movement, when a person stood at the crossroads, and chose what was right, albeit the more difficult path.  She then changes the words to the next verse according to the story just told: “Aint gonna let no injunction turn me ‘roun’” “Aint gonna let no fear tactics turn me ‘roun’…”

Then, right there in front of the President, the large dignified audience, the television cameras, the other performers, Dr Reagon stops the song.  She says, “Now I know this is a show, but you all got to SING this song.” (Polite, willing laughter in the audience.)  Dr. Reagon pauses… a long pause, and says as she looks at President Obama, “You never know when you’re gonna need it."
And then everyone all together is singing:
     Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘roun’
     Turn me ‘roun’
     Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘roun’
      
    I’m gonna keep on walkin' keep on a talkin', 
     Marching up to Freedom Land.

Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock, just stood at the crossroads while performing at the White House in the televised PBS show “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement.” In a brief moment, she chose to use her gifts, her abilities, her presence, and her power to encourage the President.  I find that truly amazing.

She is right, of course.  You never know when you are gonna need a song to pull out of your back pocket, and sing it to yourself for strength and courage.  At the crossroads, I wonder what inspires people to step forward.  To encourage others.  To stay the course. To choose “the Good Way,” as we are exploring in this blog series.  (see The Good Way blog).

I have learned a new spiritual  - in case I need it. I hope the President has too. And I encourage you to watch the PBS special “A Celebration of Music from the Civil Rights Movement” when it airs again during February, “Black History Month.”  In addition to the amazing music, it’s worth watching that crossroads moment of encouragement, regardless of politics.

When you are at the crossroads of life, what inspires you?

by Tiffany Montavon
(We welcome your thoughts and comments in this exploration of the Good Way.  To comment, click on the BLUE title of the blog, and a comment box will appear at the bottom of your screen.)

The prophet Jeremiah said this: “Stand by the crossroads and look; and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16)