Our Turn Now

1. Jimmie Lee Jackson, back from Vietnam,
In desperate times, he dared to hope
In Marion, Alabama, mid-nineteen-sixties
A black man could not vote
There was a peaceful protest – protest photo
The police attacked his grandpa and Mom
Jimmie tried to defend them
The cops shot and killed him, he was unarmed

2. The people said, “Enough!
We won’t let Jimmie die in vain”
They started a march to Montgomery
50 miles on foot in his name
The marchers were gassed and beaten
On national TV
Millions raised their voices saying,
“Everyone should be free!”

It’s our turn now, our turn now
They showed us how
It’s our turn now
Come and join us, we will rise
We will vote and organize
They showed us how
It’s our turn now

3. The marchers arrived in Montgomery
Met by a jubilant crowd
50 thousand, black and white,
Their voices clear and loud
They overcame despair
They bravely took a stand
A law was passed protecting
Voting rights across the land

It’s our turn now...