'Glory' by John Legend and Common is a powerful anthem written for the movie 'Selma,' which chronicles the 1965 voting rights marches led by Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The song draws parallels between the civil rights movement of the 1960s and contemporary struggles for racial equality and justice. By interweaving historical references with current events, 'Glory' emphasizes the enduring fight for justice, equality, and freedom, reminding listeners of the sacrifices made in the past and the work that still lies ahead. The song's refrain, 'One day, when the glory comes,' encapsulates a hopeful vision of a just and equitable future.
One day when the glory comes It will be ours, it will be ours Oh one day when the war is won We will be sure, we will be sure Oh glory (glory, glory) Oh (glory, glory) Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon Formed against, yes glory is destined Every day women and men become legends Sins that go against our skin become blessings The movement is a rhythm to us Freedom is like religion to us Justice is juxtapositionin' us Justice for all just ain't specific enough One son died, his spirit is revisitin' us Truant livin' livin' in us, resistance is us That's why Rosa sat on the bus That's why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up When it go down we woman and man up They say, 'Stay down', and we stand up Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up One day when the glory comes It will be ours, it will be ours Oh one day when the war is won We will be sure, we will be sure Oh glory (glory, glory) Oh (glory, glory) Now the war is not over, victory isn't won And we'll fight on to the finish, then when it's all done We'll cry glory, oh glory (glory, glory) Oh (glory, glory) We'll cry glory, oh glory (glory, glory) Oh (glory, glory) Selma's now for every man, woman and child Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd They marched with the torch, we gon' run with it now Never look back, we done gone hundreds of miles From dark roads he rose, to become a hero Facin' the league of justice, his power was the people Enemy is lethal, a king became regal Saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful We sing, our music is the cuts that we bleed through Somewhere in the dream we had an epiphany Now we right the wrongs in history No one can win the war individually It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people's energy Welcome to the story we call victory The comin' of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory One day when the glory comes It will be ours, it will be ours Oh one day when the war is won We will be sure, we will be sure Oh glory (glory, glory) Oh (glory, glory) Oh glory (Glory, glory) Hey (glory, glory) When the war is won, when it's all said and done We'll cry glory (glory, glory) Oh (glory, glory)
