LIGHTS IN THE DARK

Griot:
This song is dedicated to all those who have lost their lives in the struggle against racial injustice at the hands of police brutality, unjust policies and procedures. Brothers and Sisters, be encouraged: we are the light, and we have the power.

We all live
We all move
We all draw our breath from you (2x)

From the dust
Of the stars
Brought to life
Raised to consciousness

We are a part of
A larger whole
A wild ferment
Mystery to behold

Open our eyes
To the glory
The spirit weaves
A constellation of stories

From the hidden
To the conspicuous
A spark burns
Within each of us

We’ve got lights in the dark
We’ve got water from the rock
Of every beating heart
Every breath

Griot:
God breathed us into existence. God spoke something into existence out of nothing. That’s just how God is. God dwells in the dark places. God dwells in the shadow. God leads us through the shadow, the valley, death. There’s no evil. One breath.

We all live
We all move
We all draw our breath from you (2x)

Awaken the world
Born before us
Listen to the groaning
Join the chorus

Each one
A God-breathed wonder
Beautiful creation
Sister, brother

We can inherit the darkness
Inhabit the fissures
Synchronize
Blur divisions

Let the walls fall down
The seas part
We were made to breathe
Breathe together

Let the walls fall down
The seas part
We were made to breathe
Breathe together

We’ve got lights in the dark
We’ve got water from the rock
We’ve got love in the depths
Of every beating heart
Every breath (2x)

Rap:
Every breath we breathe we breathe with the help
of the one who sits up high and loves us best
but when we try to light our candles
and get a handle
it’s difficult to hold up the holy mantle
when all we see is bloodshed all around us
it makes us fuss and wonder who can we trust
you want me to shine my light but you put it under a basket
you want me to shine my light but why do I have to ask if
my life matters
and if I ask a question will you answer
or will you treat me like you’re master
and I’m the servant
I’m telling ya’ll it’s really urgent
we shine our lights together trimmed and burning
I’m asking for help from my brothers and my sisters
my misters my misses
all those whose wish is
to see all lives really matter, really matter
let’s start with the Black lives cause that’s whose being battered

Chants:
Black lives matter.
Black lives matter.
No justice, no peace. No crooked police.
No justice, no peace. No crooked police.
We have power.
I am light.

Griot:
One breath. One life. One love.
One faith. One Lord. One hope.
One Virus. One Day. One People.