Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” inspired this music video featuring Dr. Clarence B. Jones, MLK’s speechwriter, legal counsel and personal advisor. The lyrics were written by the former Governor of Delaware, Jack Markell, Ann McNamee, and Eric McFadden.

The music was composed by Ann McNamee, Jason Crosby, and Eric McFadden. Please read “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to learn how you can help break The Silence of the Good.

Click here for a free download of the track:

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CREDITS & LYRICS

Performed by Eric McFadden, Jason Crosby, and Dr. Clarence B. Jones
Lyrics by Jack Markell, Ann McNamee, and Eric McFadden
Music by Ann McNamee, Eric McFadden, and Jason Crosby
Lead Vocal, Guitar, Bass, Drums: Eric McFadden
Spoken Word: Dr. Clarence B. Jones
Vocal Harmonies, Keyboard: Jason Crosby

Produced by Ann McNamee
Executive Producers: Jack Markell and Ann McNamee
Mixed and Mastered by Dave Way
©2020 All rights reserved
Published by Jack Markell 302 Music/ASCAP

Original Art by: DOMO

Video by MediaVision Productions:
Editor: Brian Stevens
Assistant Editor: Jill Bernstein

Photography courtesy of:
Dr. Clarence B. Jones
Official White House Photos by Pete Souza
The Birmingham Public Library
JD Cohen Photography
The Library of Congress
NARA
GPA Photo Archive/Abernathy Family via National Park Service
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Many thanks to:
Dr. Clarence B. Jones, Jonathan Greenberg and the USF Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice, The Birmingham Public Library, Alexandra Fischer, and Bailey Duquette P.C.: Barbara J. Riesberg, Esq., Stephan Matanovic, Esq.

LYRICS

Verse 1:
Dr. King received a message As he sat there in his cell
In Birmingham Alabama He had gone there to repel
The troubles in that city For which it was well known
Though his message spoke of peace Into the prison he was thrown
Pastors sent that message Urging King to wait
They didn’t want his protest He wasn’t welcome in their state

CHORUS:
History has taught us The Reverend understood
The bad get their power From the silence of the good

Verse 2:
King replied with a letter About our country’s sins
“An unjust law’s no law at all” Said St. Augustine
The year was 1963 It was time to decide
All people should be freed “Justice delayed is justice denied”

CHORUS:
History has taught us The Reverend understood
The bad get their power From the silence of the good

Verse 3:
Has anything been changing In the decades that have passed?
After Floyd and many others Might the country finally grasp?
It’s more than just a slogan It’s a way to live our lives
When Martin’s dream is realized Only then will justice arrive

CHORUS:
As history has taught us The Reverend understood
The bad get their power From the silence
From the silence… …of the good

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