Song Lyrics

Star Spangled Banner

Composed by John Stafford Smith

Text by Oliver Wendell Holmes

Arranged by Jannina Norpoth

 When our land is illum'd with Liberty's smile,
If a foe from within strike a blow at her glory,
Down, down, with the traitor that dares to defile
The flag of her stars and the page of her story!
By the millions unchain'd who our birthright have gained
We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained!
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
While the land of the free is the home of the brave.

He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands

Traditional Spiritual

Arranged by Hamilton Forrest & Jannina Norpoth

He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the big round world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

He's got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He's got the sun and the moon right in His hands,
He's got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got the gambling man in His hands,
He’s got the lying man in His hands,
He’s got the crap shootin’ man right in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got that little bitsy baby in His hands,
He’s got the tiny little baby right in His hands
He’s got that little bitsy baby in His hands
He’s got the whole world in His hands

He’s got you and me Brother in His is hands,
He’s got you and me right in His hands
He’s got you and me Sister in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

He’s got everybody in His hands,
He’s got everybody in His hands,
He’s got everybody in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

On My Way

Traditional Spiritual interpreted by Odetta

Arranged by Jannina Norpoth

I'm on my way
And I won't turn back
I'm on my way
And I won't turn back
I'm on my way
And I won't turn back
I'm on my way
Hey, I'm on my way

Gonna ask my brother
Want to come with me?
Gonna ask my brother
Won't you come with me?
Gonna ask my brother
Won't you come with me?
I'm on my way
Hey, I'm on my way

Gonna ask my Captain
Won't you let me go?
Ask my Captain
Won't you let me go?
I'm gonna ask my Captain
Won't you let me go?
I'm on my way
Hey, I’m on my way!

And if he says no, no, no, no, no
I'll go anyhow
If he says no, no, no, no, no, no
Gonna go anyhow
And if he says no
Gonna go anyhow
If he says no
Gonna go anyhow
I'm on my way
Hey, I'm on my way!

I'm on my way
I won't turn back
I'm on my way
And I won't turn back
I'm on my way
And I won't turn back
I'm on my way
Hey, I'm on my way!

We Shall Overcome

Traditional Folk Song

Musical and Lyrical Adaptation by Zilphia Horton, Frank Hamilton, Guy Carawan and Pete Seeger

Arranged by Jannina Norpoth

We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome some day
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe
That we shall overcome someday

We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace someday
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe
That we shall overcome someday

We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid today
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe
That we shall overcome someday

We shall stand together
We shall stand together
We shall stand together now
Oh, deep in my heart, I do believe
That we shall overcome someday

Artists & Partners

BRONX

Voice …. Michelle Trinidad
Violin … Ashley Windle
Viola … Krisztina Kiss
Double Bass … Anthony Morris

BROOKLYN

Voice …. Patrice Eaton
Violin … Lady Jess
Viola … Brian Thompson
Double Bass … Morton Cahn

MANHATTAN

Voice …. Lucia Bradford
Violin … Curtis Stewart
Viola … Brianne Lugo
Cello … Eric Allen

QUEENS

Voice …. Laquita Mitchell
Violin … Charlene Bishop
Viola … Christian Barros
Cello … Dara Hankins

STATEN ISLAND

Voice …. Karmesha Peake
Violin … Alissa Jackman
Viola … Carmen Elias
Double Bass … Phil Smith

Supporters

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Queens Council on the Arts.