Healing and Hope: Protest Songs part 3

Very often, when thinking about the ideas of songs of protest, people look for songs of anger.

Anger has its place. As I mentioned when writing about such songs in the first part of this series, anger only gets you so far.

It does not offer a sound foundation for going forward.

I’ve pointed you to several songs of anger in that earlier story, sure.

Thus far in this series we’ve also heard songs which are anthems that lift spirits, songs that tell stories which need to be told, and music which brings people together in solidarity.

Had you thought of songs of healing and hope as protest songs, though?

Photo by Dave Hoefler on Unsplash

Many don’t, and others say it’s not the time to even bring up that aspect of songs of protest.

I hope you will stay with me as I point you to several songs which take in this aspect of things. Both reflection and connection are needed to carry on with resistance, and resilience.

Music can be a good way to get to those well needed things.

In her song Promises to Keep, Eliza Gilkyson speaks to the idea of keeping going in the midst of struggle. Hope can be defined as getting up every day and continuing to work toward the good, however hard or distant that good may seem. That is part of Eliza’s song.