Pathways to Freedom

On May 25, 2007 Will King entered the studio with drummer/percussionist Aaron Comess [Spin Doctors] to record Edmund Pettus Bridge [How Long, Not Long], a song derived from a Civil Rights quest (he performed the song live when opening up for Richie Havens, pictured left, at the Rock on for Rights fundraiser).
 

The journey took him from Atlanta to Montgomery to Selma to Birmingham as well as interesting points in between.The song, which tells the story of "Bloody Sunday" and the plight leading to the passage of Voting Rights Act of 1965, will be used as a fundraiser for the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development Pathways to Freedom program, and The National Voting Rights Museum. Lila Cabbil, the Institute's president emeritus and founder of the Pathways to Freedom program, joined King on the quest. Lila, a new friend, provided insight, context and knowledge. 
 

As you listen to the song, please read along with the lyrics. I encourage you to research each individual mentioned in this song as they played a crucial role in the freedoms we enjoy to this day. To  learn about "Bloody Sunday" click here.  

Watch the video here.

Edmund Pettus Bridge [How Long, Not Long] 

Words and Music by Will King. All Rights Reserved.
Will King: guitars/vocals. Aaron Comess: drums/percussion.
Recorded at 20/20 Music. Engineer: Saul Zonana.
 

Fifty-four miles and forty-two years from Montgomery
Edmund Pettus Bridge still stands
What happened on that Bloody Sunday
Makes me question just who I am
 

I don’t give an Alabama Goddamn
Until you accept me for who I am
 

Thousands of marching feet
Governor Wallace tells his smiling men “Go hit Selma’s streets”
Billy clubbing and tear gassing their honest dreams
Spider Martin’s lens fills with triumph and defeat
 

I don’t give an Alabama Goddamn
Until you accept me for who I am
 

John Lewis, Hosea Williams would not accept defeat
A second and third march would happen within weeks
Not before Amelia Boyton Robinson and others were beat
Bloody Sunday washed through all of America’s streets
 

JoAnne Bland’s sister cried red blood tears
Mr. James Reeb beat in front of the Silver Moon Café
Two days later he died
Jimmie Lee Jackson, Jimmie Lee Jackson, Jimmie Lee Jackson was shot dead
For protecting his Ma; for protecting his Grandpa
They did not die in vain
 

I don’t give an Alabama Goddamn
Until you accept me for who I am
 

Ralph Abernathy, Rosa Parks, Johnnie Carr and Dr. King
Joined together with so many others in this dream
Educate, vote protect your civil rights
Peaceful protest is the only plight
 

They marched four days from Selma To Montgomery’s Capitol Hill
Stars for Freedom played
The nation was listening
The world woke up
President Johnson readied his legislative pen
 

Then Dr. King he stood up
Yes, Dr. King he stood up
Dr. King said:
 

How long, not long
How long, not long
How long, not long
Until we’re free
 

How long, not long
How long, not long
How long, not long
Until we’re free
 

How long, not long
How long, not long
How long, not long
Until we’re free
 

Fifty-four miles and forty-two years from Montgomery
Edmund Pettus Bridge still stands
 

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