Images of the day, January 18: Happy Birthday to You.

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
It couldn't 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...

We know the key to unify 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

~ Stevie Wonder

_____________________________________

Such profound words sung to my generation. The photo above is of the boys watching a YouTube video of Dr. King's famous speech at the march on Washington. I snapped it from my kitchen a couple of years ago.  Last year, I had them watch "The Drum Major Instinct"--my favorite MLK sermon of all time, thanks to my dad forcing me to listen to it for punishment back in 1986.

Ha.

This year? We will listen to excerpts of the above, probably. Especially The Drum Major Instinct, since it underscores King's bravery and eloquence simultaneously. But this year, my main plan is to really, truly introduce them to this beautiful, enlightening and courageous song. We will talk about it and break it down. Together we'll go over the lyrics and I'll answer their questions. Then, we'll just shake our bum-bums to it and even get the puppy into the groove. Besides--those kids need to recognize that this was a bold and politically charged song and not just the universal song that black folks sing together on birthdays.

Mmmm hmmm.

Plus, no good parent of African-American (or any) descent neglects to properly introduce her children to the genius of Mr. Steveland Morris a.k.a. Stevie Wonder. That's just wrong, man.

And so. Today we'll celebrate with music and realize another dream of sorts. The one Mr. Wonder penned back when this national holiday was still just a heavily controversial idea.

Yeah.

****
Happy MLK Day. And Happy Birthday to Ya, Dr. King.

Now playing on my mental iPod . . . . and my real one. We are about to turn up in here!



And, of course, "The Drum Major Instinct."