Great Day: Resonances with King’s “I Have a Dream” Speech
Download PDF Version of this Lesson Plan Here.
Introduction
The language and image of the “Great Day” —the Day of Judgment—occupies a prominent place in the visionary world of the Black Church, which has been a center of gravity in the African American community throughout its history. This vision of justice—the idea that God’s justice, the fundamental order of the universe, will prevail at last—has been an essential theme throughout the history of the African American people.
The prophetic language of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech instills this deep spiritual understanding of justice. Evoking the image from the Biblical Book of Revelation, he sounds the great call: “We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.” This prophetic vision of the Day of Judgment—the day when all people are revealed as they truly are, and the good are separated from the bad—pervades the imagery of the gospel song, “Great Day.”
- In that day, the liars and sinners will be running—running from cosmic justice—instead of running things.
- In that day, the preachers will be marching—as thousands of preachers, rabbis and priests marched in Alabama in the days of the Civil Rights movement, some of whom lost their lives in that cause.
- In that day, my mother will be resting—resting from her lifelong labors, free at last.
The fact that these ideas are being expressed in the song “Great Day” by men who are in prison brings us face to face with the immense gap between the profundity of this vision of justice, and the actual condition of the human beings who are bringing it to our attention. Indeed, in this Day of Judgment, when all things shall at last be set right, as it is said in the Book of Revelation: who shall be able to stand? This song offers to each of us that question.
(Gail Needleman, 2021)
Activity
Play the recording of “Great Day” (without showing the score)
https://kodalycollection.org/song.cfm?id=1142
- What tradition does this song arise from? (Black/African American)
- Who is singing? (A group of men)
- Can you guess the title of the song?
- What do you think the term “Great Day” refers to? (Judgment Day)
The song begins “Oh, the liars will be runnin’ in that Great Day.” Let’s listen again for who else is named in the song and what they will be doing.
- Who are the other people mentioned (preachers, mothers, sinners) and what they will be doing?
- What question does each verse end with? What does this mean?
- When do you think this song might have been recorded?
Look at the score to discover when and where it was collected (at top left of score)
https://kodalycollection.org/song.cfm?id=1142
- These singers are creating amazing harmonies together, and it’s clear that they sing together frequently. Does anyone know why they are together? What facility is in Huntsville? (Texas State Penitentiary).
- Why would a song like “Great Day” be meaningful to these men? (Many may have been wrongfully imprisoned and may never be released. Only at their death may they find redemption. The song allows them to sing about those who have persecuted them.)
Replay the recording and invite students to imagine the conditions in which these men were living, and how this song may have helped them survive. Depending on the class, students may be invited to hum or sing along as they listen.
Extension
Another song that John Lomax collected at Huntsville State Penitentiary in 1934 is the first known recording of “This Little Light of Mine,” performed by Jim Boyd. It was made during one of Lomax’s recording trips for the Library of Congress.
https://kodalycollection.org/song.cfm?id=673
Further Resources
Photo of M.L. King with other preachers and leaders at the March on Washington, 1963
https://www.loc.gov/item/2013649720/
Photo of demonstrators at the March on Washington, 1963
https://www.loc.gov/item/2013647401/
Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is available at
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/sites/default/files/inline-pdfs/king.dreamspeech.excerpts.pdf
