Learn about how the US Colored Troops led the charge to the emancipation of all Black Americans in 1865 in “Juneteenth.” We wrote this in the months before Juneteenth became a national holiday. We spoke with African American historian and scholar, Dr. Sherri Mehta, whose stories illuminated how soldiers and families strategized and worked for our collective freedom. Dr. Mehta’s ancestor, Jefferson Michie, was present for the reading of General Order No. 3 that announced freedom to the remaining enslaved people on June 19, 1865.
"Freedom is not individual - it's collective."
lyrics
Chorus
Oh - yea
Do you know the story of Juneteenth
When the enslaved found out that they were free
Two years after 1863
The Emancipation Proclamation
Verse
Freedom
What does it mean to be free
Are you born with it
Is it God given
Or is there a cost to be
Free
The constitution said
We were 3/5ths human
How can it be democracy
Built on stolen land
Freedom is a right
Not a privilege - YUP
Freedom from false restriction - YUP
Skin color birthplace
Respect the ways we’re all different - YUP
Let’s take it back bout 100 years
Quick - let me paint this picture
America in a civil war
No Marvel movie, this history!
President Lincoln had a plan to end slavery only in the south
But Black folks when they heard about it started spreading that word of mouth
Picked up arms and joined the Union to fight for their own freedom
The colored troops help win the war gave that proclamation new meaning, yup - whoo
You betta believe it!
CHORUS
VERSE 2
Justice
When have we seen it and known it
Who are the ones who have grown it
Took it from notion to showin whats
Just
Let’s talk about soldiers who were free - risking their lives for
people like me
All the Kinfolk they may never know
Took a lead that we all could follow
Followin’ the call for What?
Justice -
Bigger than land it was for the enslaved
When you think about this Proclamation - the emancipation is knowing that WE were the brave
200 thousand soldiers organizing
women and children home strategizing
paper protests, learned to address
The power of truth and a culture uprising
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Can’t stop that joy
Freedom is not individual its collective
Can’t stop that joy
Freedom is not individual its collective
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Freedom is not individual its collective
When you think about Juneteenth
remember how we freed ourselves,
How we stayed prepared.
We will prevail, cuz we tippin scales, closing all the jails and we will not fail!
You believe, You dream, You move You serve.
For those who’ve past - for our culture.
No one left behind we can be sure
We stand we rise we on that joy ride.
We stand we rise we on that joy ride.
We stand we rise we on that joy ride.
Ayyyy!
Final chorus
Now you know the story of Juneteenth
When the last enslaved knew that they were free
We led ourselves to victory
Victory
Victory!
credits
from The Movement,
released September 9, 2022
Performed by FYÜTCH and Alphabet Rockers
Written by: Harold Michael II Simmons, Kaitlin McGaw, Tommy James Shepherd, Daniel Nkazi Fields
Lead Vocals: FYÜTCH and Tommy Soulati Shepherd, Backing Vocals: Maya Fleming, Kali de Jesus, Kaitlin McGaw, Lillian Ellis, Tommy Shepherd III. Producers: Daniel Nkazi Fields, Kaitlin McGaw, Tommy Soulati Shepherd, FYÜTCH, Kabir Sehgal. Addt Production: Synths and Production - Daniel Nkazi Fields. Vocal Production: Kevin McCann and Harold Michael Simmons II. Engineering: Kevin McCann. Mixed by: Kevin McCann. Mastered by Bijan Sharifi. Master Recording co-owned by School Time Music and Fyûsion.
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