Everybody Says Freedom: A History of the Civil Rights Movement in Songs and Pictures

“Filled with beautiful music, glorious lyrics, and the soul of one of the most important historical and social revolutions of our history.” ―Judy Collins

In words, photographs, and music, Pete Seeger and Bob Reiser tell the story of the civil rights movement, building their narrative around the accounts of people involved and the songs that inspired their struggle. It documents the sit-ins, freedom rides, and marches that occurred along the long path to triumph in an uncertain age.

This narrative scrapbook collects forty songs and includes profiles of activists and a chronological outline of the extraordinary events from 1955 to 1968. It is a story of courage and resilience on the part of ordinary people. From “This Little Light of Mine” to “We Shall Overcome,” the music of the time was both encouragement and catharsis for those who struggled against adversity in an effort to change the world.

79 photos

Legendary folksinger and peace advocate Pete Seeger (1919―2014) issued approximately one hundred records and wrote or worked on dozens of books, and collaborated on numerous radical songbooks and articles.

Bob Reiser is an author, playwright, and screenwriter. He lives in Easthampton, Massachusetts.

Jesse Jackson is a civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as "shadow senator" for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997.