I Have A Dream by Common

I Have A Dream by Common

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBa55sDTIiA

Who isn’t inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s words? I think we’d be hard pressed to find someone who has not heard a part of his famous I Have A Dream speech…but how many of us know our own dreams as well as we know his? I think this song articulates the issues of individuals believing in themselves.

Born on the black list, told I’m below average. When I was in elementary school I was told I had problems learning. I was sent out into the hallway for special reading and spelling lessons while my classmates moved on to more advanced subjects or watched movies. The hallway become my frame of reference, despite what my parents told me about my intelligence at home, I couldn’t see past my desk in the hall at school and the words my teachers used to describe me. It wasn’t until I was in the classroom taking a test for sixth grade reading that my true abilities were realized…however placing me in the highest reading class in sixth grade could not undo the psychological damage six years in the hallways had already caused.

To this day I can’t read aloud in front of groups because I don’t comprehend what I read, too concerned that I’ll mess up and feel embarrassed to pay attention to my own words. I have a dream/ I’m a look deep within myself/ I’ve gotta find a way. I think each of us has to look deep within ourselves and find a way to meet our dreams. Martin Luther Kind Jr.’s vision and dream was related to his passion, our dreams should be deeply grounded in who we are.

I pray today you’re able to reach deep within yourself and find your dream.

~Rachel

[Chorus - Will.i.am and Martin Luther King]
(I am happy...I Have a Dream) I got a Dream
(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out
(I Have a Dream) I got a Dream
(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out out out
(That One Day ) Were gonna work it out
(I Have a Dream) I got a Dream
(That One Day) That one day
(That One Day) I'ma look deep within myself
(I Have a Dream) I gotta find a way...
My Dream Is To Be Free
My Dream Is To Be
My Dream Is To Be
My Dream Is To Be Free

[Verse 1]
In search of brighter days, I ride through the maze of the madness,
Struggle is my address, where pain and crack lives,
Gunshots comin' from sounds of Blackness,
Given this game with no time to practice,
Born on the Black list, told I'm below average,
A life with no cabbage,
That's no money if you from where I'm from,
Funny, I just want some of your sun
Dark clouds seem to follow me,
Alcohol that my pops swallowed bottled me,
No apology, I walk with a boulder on my shoulder,

It's a Cold War - I'm a colder soldier,
Hold the same fight that made Martin Luther the King,
I ain't usin' it for the right thing,
In between Lean and the fiens, hustle and the schemes,
I put together pieces of a Dream
I still have one

[Chorus]

[Verse 2]
The world's seen me lookin' in the mirror,
Images of me, gettin' much clearer,
Dear Self, I wrote a letter just to better my soul,
If I don't express it then forever I'll hold, inside
I'm from a side where we out of control,
Rap music in the 'hood played a fatherly role,
My story's like yours, yo it gotta be told,
Tryna make it from a gangsta to a godlier role,
Read scrolls and stow slaves,
And Jewish people in cold cage,
Hate has no color or age, flip the page,
Now my rage became freedom,
Writin' dreams in the dark, they far but I can see 'em,
I believe in Heaven more than Hell,
Blessings more than jail,
In the ghetto let love prevail,
With a story to tell, my eyes see the glory and well,
The world waitin' for me to yell "I Have a Dream"

[Chorus]