The day the dream was silenced

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/Ificandream.jpg

 

40 years ago today, April 4th 1968, is an ink black day in history. Today, 40 years ago, is the day when Dr. Luther King was shot and killed in Memphis. Elvis, on location for a new movie, was very touched by the murder and would later that year record the message song "If I Can Dream". If you visit Memphis, be sure to visit the Civil Rights Museum for a behind-the-scenes look of what happened that dreadful day, 40 years ago.

 

If I Can Dream

 

There must be lights burning brighter somewhere.

 

Got to be birds flying higher in a sky more blue.

 

If I can dream of a better land,

 

where all my brothers walk hand in hand.

 

Tell me why, oh why,

 

oh why can't my dream come true?

 

Oh why?

 

 

 

There must be peace and understanding sometime.

 

Strong winds of promise that will blow away

 

all the doubt and fear.

 

If I can dream of a warmer sun,

 

where hope keeps shining on everyone.

 

Tell me why, oh why,

 

oh why won't that sun appear?

 

 

 

We're lost in a cloud

 

with too much rain.

 

We're trapped in a world

 

that's troubled with pain.

 

But as long as a man

 

has the strength to dream

 

he can redeem his soul

 

and fly...

 

 

 

Deep in my heart there's a trembling question.

 

Still I am sure, that the answer's

 

gonna come somehow.

 

Out there in the dark,

 

there's a beckoning candle, yeah.

 

 

 

And while I can think, while I can talk.

 

While I can stand, while I can walk.

 

While I can dream.

 

Please let my dream come true...

 

Right now. :wub:

 

Published: april 4th 2008 12:29 AM.

Source: ElvisMatters / Published by: ElvisMatters - Peter Verbruggen .

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/mlk.jpg

 

One of the highlights of my first visit to Memphis was when I visited the Civil Rights Museum, built on the site of the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was killed on April 4th 1968. It was a very moving experience to look out on the very balcony where he died

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/250px-Martin_Luther_King_was_shot_h.jpg

 

This is a passage from Jerry Schilling's book - who was with Elvis when they head the news.

 

''Elvis didn't often speak openly about race or politics, but he had been greatly inspired by Dr King's ''I Have A Dream'' speech and had committed much of it to memory. I'd heard him recite those beautiful hopeful word many times. I looked over at Elvis now and saw that he was staring hard at the t.v. There were tears in his eyes.''

 

''He always spoke the truth'' he said quietly :(

 

Here is a YouTube clip combining Martin Luther King’s famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, with Elvis delivering ‘If I Can Dream’, which was recorded in June 1968, just over two months after King’s death.

 

It is saying the video is no longer available. :(

 

 

"If I Can Dream", is a great song and wonderful lyrics, it always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. :wub:

It is saying the video is no longer available. :(

"If I Can Dream", is a great song and wonderful lyrics, it always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. :wub:

Aww sorry, I had posted it before and just copied it but I will have a look for it again ;)

 

If I Can Dream is a beautiful song and Elvis sang it with so much passion you can believe he means every word he says :wub:

It's working now

It's working now

I'm glad it's working now! The clip is very effective, especially since both the song and Elvis were affected by Martin Luther King's death :wub:

I'm glad it's working now! The clip is very effective, especially since both the song and Elvis were affected by Martin Luther King's death :wub:

 

 

They sure were