"I Have A Dream Today"
Lorraine Motel snapshots + Stevie Wonder's lyrics
I created this video about the Lorraine Motel for ‘Black Stories We Should All Know’ April 2023.
Months later (August 2023) I had a chance to visit the museum in Memphis, Tennessee.
One visit is not enough to see everything and definitely not enough time to process everything.
From The National Civil Rights Museum’s FAQs -
Did the cars in the courtyard belong to Dr. King?
No, these cars are intended to orient visitors to the time period in which they are about to enter. Though Dr. King often was driven to Memphis events in a white Cadillac owned by the late local activist and community leader Cornelia Crenshaw, the cars at the museum have no historical significance.
HERE is an article about Ms. Cornelia Crenshaw.
This is a clip from the article:
Crenshaw was pivotal in bringing Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis. On his visits, Crenshaw would often loan him her 1966 Lincoln Continental. That car has since been restored and is now on display at the National Civil Rights Museum.
Ummmm… that sounds like historical significance to me. What do you think? I understand what they were trying to say though.
We love singing Stevie Wonder’s version of ‘Happy Birthday’ but have you ever read the lyrics?
Lyrics -
You know it doesn't make much sense
There ought to be a law against
Anyone who takes offense
At a day in your celebration 'cause we all know in our minds
That there ought to be a time
That we can set aside
To show just how much we love you
And I'm sure you would agree
What could fit more perfectly
Than to have a world party on the day you came to be
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
I just never understood
How a man who died for good
Could not have a day that would
Be set aside for his recognition
Because it should never be
Just because some cannot see
The dream as clear as he
That they should make it become an illusion
And we all know everything
That he stood for time will bring
For in peace, our hearts will sing
Thanks to Martin Luther King
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Why has there never been a holiday
Where peace is celebrated
All throughout the world
The time is overdue
For people like me and you
Who know the way to truth
Is love and unity to all God's children
It should be a great event
And the whole day should be spent
In full remembrance
Of those who lived and died for the oneness of all people
So let us all begin
We know that love can win
Let it out, don't hold it in
Sing it loud as you can
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Ooh yeah
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
We know the key to unity of all people
Is in the dream that you had so long ago
That lives in all of the hearts of people
That believe in unity
We'll make the dream become a reality
I know we will
Because our hearts tell us so
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Stevie Wonder
Happy Birthday lyrics © Black Bull Music, Jobete Music Co Inc, Jobete Music Co., Inc.
A snippet from this article via the National Museum of African American History & Culture…
Even though it failed to pass in the House, public support for the bill continued to grow, in no small part due to musician Stevie Wonder. The Motown singer and songwriter’s 1980 album “Hotter Than July” featured the song “Happy Birthday,” which served as an ode to King's vision and a rallying cry for recognition of his achievements with a national holiday.
Closing out with one of my favorite snapshots I took when working with children because I remain hopeful. Always! ALWAYS!
See ya in the comments
THANKS SO MUCH for being here.
Hugs, Love, and Gratitude Y’all!
Sally Mc
I live 20 minutes from The Civil Rights Museum. It’s always one of my favorite places to go and I enjoy black history so much so that I told my now husband I wanted to go there on a first date with him since he had never been there. It’s always been a place of reverence and wonder for me, but I will never forget the time that I went to visit and all of the visitors had to go downstairs to the basement during a tornado warning. That part was unexpected. I always learned something new every time I go.
Man oh Man, this took me back to my visit to Memphis' Lorraine Motel. Chilling!!! Thank you for such a beautiful post. (🎧Stevie Wonder)