Civil Rights – guitar + music blog

We Shall Overcome

We Shall Overcome
Spiritual hymn, protest song, Civil Rights anthem

This song is often played during the Martin Luther King holiday period, for peaceful protests, church services and vigils. This anthem was sung during the Civil Rights struggle and non-violent protests in the 1960s. The song was played by many folk singers, including Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and the trio, Peter, Paul and Mary.

Rev. Martin Luther King’s birthday is January 15th. The official MLK holiday is celebrated on the Monday on or following Dr. King’s birthday.

My hope is that humankind can move closer to the message of this song. Dr. Martin Luther King advocated for non-violent protest and resistance. The struggle continues today.

Peace.

We Shall Overcome: Guitar melody, key of C

We Shall Overcome
Spiritual hymn, protest song, Civil Rights anthem

This straightforward arrangement is in the key of C, which is a singable key. This song is a great choice for group singing.

We Shall Overcome: Fingerstyle Guitar, key of G

We Shall Overcome
Spiritual hymn, protest song, Civil Rights anthem

This is my fingerstyle guitar arrangement of We Shall Overcome. This is in the key of G, which is not as singable as the key of C. However, for purposes of a fingerstyle arrangement, the key of G allows for a wider octave range on the guitar fretboard.

For example, for the measures with G and Em chords, the low G and E notes on the 6th string can be used. Also, in the last two measures (17-18), a reprise of the opening two measures appears an octave higher, and uses the first two strings between the frets 8 – 13. Thus the key of G allows for this wider note range along the length of the fretboard, and has a much fuller sound. In the last measure, the G chord triad at fret 12 is a harmonic, so that it continues to ring as you play the low G note to end piece.