We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest: Ella's Song for Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Eric Garner

Haggadah Section: Songs

Chorus:

We who believe in freedom cannot rest
We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes

Verses:

Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers' sons
Is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons

When they took Trayvon and then Big Mike, there was no justice and no peace
But when they took Eric Garner with no indictment, it brought us out into the streets

As we strive to speak truth to power, and end all police brutality
We stand against oppression of ALL people and raise up human dignity

When we struggle to gain employment, resist prison and death on the street
We are struggling for the lives of young people and fighting for their liberty

The struggle exists in every sphere of life, as we work to build equity
It's education, voting rights, and immigration, it's addressing our poverty

When we stand together and speak in one voice, for freedom in our communities,
We work to end all forms of discrimination and recognize our humanity

It's easy to sing when you're happy - to sing when you're among friends,
But when you sing above the din of inaction and hatred, you just can't stop until it ends...

To me young people come first, they have the courage where we fail,
And if I can shed some light as they carry us through the gale

Struggling myself don't mean a whole lot, I've come to realize
That teaching others to stand up and fight is the only way our struggle survives

Source:  
Songs of the Spirit - Yavilah McCoy 2018 - Revised from "Ella's Song," original lyrics & music by Bernice Johnson Reagon, 1981

Inspired to create
your own Haggadah?

Make your own Haggadah and share with other Seder lovers around the world

Have an idea
for a clip?

People like you bring their creativity to Haggadot.com when they share their ideas in a clip

Support Us
with your donation

Help us build moments of meaning and connection through
home-based Jewish rituals.

OUR TOP CONTRIBUTORS

contributor image
Esther Kustanowitz
4 Haggadahs44 Clips
contributor image
JQ International
1 Haggadah40 Clips
contributor image
MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
5 Haggadahs109 Clips
contributor image
18Doors
1 Haggadah13 Clips
contributor image
JewishBoston
1 Haggadah78 Clips
contributor image
Truah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights
1 Haggadah36 Clips
contributor image
American Jewish World Service
1 Haggadah44 Clips
contributor image
JewBelong
3 Haggadahs57 Clips
contributor image
Repair the World
12 Clips
contributor image
HIAS
5 Haggadahs48 Clips
contributor image
Be'chol Lashon
2 Haggadahs27 Clips
contributor image
PJ Library
1 Haggadah17 Clips
contributor image
Jewish World Watch
3 Haggadahs42 Clips
contributor image
Secular Synagogue
10 Clips
contributor image
SVIVAH
1 Haggadah9 Clips
contributor image
The Blue Dove Foundation
20 Clips
contributor image
ReformJudaism.org
24 Clips
contributor image
Jewish Emergent Network
1 Haggadah22 Clips

Passover Guide

Hosting your first Passover Seder? Not sure what food to serve? Curious to
know more about the holiday? Explore our Passover 101 Guide for answers
to all of your questions.

Haggadot

Haggadot.com by Recustom, is a free resource for all backgrounds and experiences. Consider making a donation to help support the continuation of this free platform.

Copyright © 2024 Custom and Craft Jewish Rituals Inc, dba Recustom, dba Haggadot.com.
All Rights Reserved. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. EIN: 82-4765805.