Mass for Freedom Notes and Text
Mass for Freedom
Michael T. Roberts
In the spring of 2017, Lynne Morrow approached me with a powerful concept for a piece: start with a set of African-American spirituals that evolved into anthems of protest movements, most notably the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Develop a new piece of music from the melodies, utilizing the framework of the traditional five-movement Latin mass to explore the sacred roots of these iconic spirituals.
It took me several months of reading, listening, contemplation, and conversations with Dr. Morrow to clarify how I wanted to approach this rich, and potentially quite complex, task. Eventually, my vision for Mass for Freedom emerged: an unequivocally sacred work that also tells a story —the story of the Civil Rights movement, yes, but really the story of any journey through hardship and despair, undertaken by people with common cause who find strength in God and in one another. Could there be a more timeless tale than this? And could there be a more perfect medium for it than a big group of people singing together in harmony?
At the exact midpoint of the piece, in the heart of the Credo, I want you to listen closely. You will hear a section that begins, “I believe in all of human life.” The beliefs expressed in this section were written by none other than the singers bringing this piece to life for you tonight.
Their powerful words remind me of what Mass for Freedom is about, or perhaps what I hope it will do: inspire strength in you. Whatever may drive you, may you find strength in your beliefs, your values, your roots, your community, and your Cause.
I would like to thank: my family near and far for supporting me throughout this project; everyone at Oakland Symphony and Chorus — staff, singers, and players — for midwifing the Mass; and most especially Lynne, for entrusting me with her vision and being there every step of the way.
~ Notes from Michael T. Roberts
Mass for Freedom
Words From the spirituals and the Latin Mass
Additional words by Michael T Roberts
From the spiritual
From the Mass
By the composer
KYRIE
Come by here, oh Lordy, come by here
Oh Lord, come by—
Mercy—
—Oh, Lord
Mercy—
—Come by here
Oh Lord
Oh Jesus
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Someone’s cryin’, Lordy, come by here
Someone’s cryin’ “hands up, don’t shoot,” Lord
Oh, come by here, Oh Lord
Someone’s chokin’ on bitter fruit, Lord
Oh, come by here, Oh Lord
Won’t you come by here, oh Lord
Oh Lord
Oh Jesus
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Someone’s prayin’, Lordy, come by here
Oh Lord, come by here
Someone’s praying in a stinking cell, Lord
Oh, come by here, Oh Lord
Someone’s waiting, waiting to hear you, Lord
Oh, come by here, Oh Lord
Won’t you come by here, oh Lord
Someone’s singing to you….MERCY
Someone’s clinging to you…MERCY
Someone’s pleading with you…MERCY
Bleeding, Lord
Needing the strength to stand up, rise up, high up
Oh, Lord
Oh, Jesus
MERCY
GLORIA
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayed on freedom
Glory, glory
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind on Glory…Oh, Lord
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind on Peace…Oh, Lord
I’m walkin’ and talkin’ with my mind on Mercy…Oh, Lord
I’m walkin’ and talkin’ with my mind on Freedom
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Glory, glory
I’m singin’ and prayin’ with my mind on Justice…Oh, Lord
I’m singin’ and prayin’ with my mind on the Poor, the Weak, the Powerless
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with my mind when I call to you, Lord
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with my mind when I praise you, Lord
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Oh Lord, I—
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayed on freedom
Glory, glory
We praise you, Lord
We bless you, Lord
We worship you, oh Lord
We glorify you
Oh Lord
Oh Jesus
Hallelujah
Oh Lord, I woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayed on freedom
Hallelujah
Oh Lord, I woke up this mornin’ with my mind stayed on freedom
And I ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘round
CREDO
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘round, oh Lord
Turn me ‘round, oh Lord
Turn me ‘round
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘round
I’ve got ta keep on a-walkin’, keep on a-talkin’
Marchin’ up to Freedom Land
Gonna walk with my Father
Walk with my Jesus
Walk and never tire
Gonna walk together children
Walk and never tire
Gonna walk with the Light of Light
Oh, walk and never tire
Gonna walk with the Lord and the Giver of Life
Walk and never tire
CHORUS
I’m gonna lay my burden down
Lay it down at the feet of the Father
I’m gonna lay my burden down, Lord
I’ve got ta keep on a-walkin’, keep on a-talkin’
Marchin’ up to Freedom Land, Lord
CHORUS
…fightin’ my way into Freedom Land
I believe
I believe in one God
I believe in the Father Almighty
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ
God of God, and Light of Light
Who descended from heaven
And was made human
[The following ten lines were written by members of the chorus]
I believe in all of human life
I believe that we are one people
I believe in compassion
I believe in justice
I believe in truth
I believe in love
I believe in faith
I believe in hope
I believe in the power of music
I believe in the power of my voice
So watch me now!
Ain’t gonna let race hatred turn me ‘round
Ain’t gonna let false witness turn me ‘round
Ain’t gonna let fear-mongering turn me ‘round
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘round
Oh Lord, Oh Jesus
Mercy
‘Cause in my heart
Deep in my heart
I do believe
SANCTUS
Oh Lord…I get so tired
Oh Jesus…I get so afraid
Yes, before I’d be a slave
I’d be buried in my grave
Easy enough to say
Well, Lord…I keep so busy praising my Jesus
Keep so busy working for the kingdom
Keep so busy fighting for justice
That I ain’t got time to die
Holy, Holy
Ain’t got time to die
Lord, I keep so busy praising my Jesus
Keep so busy praising my Jesus
Ain’t got time to die
Cause when I’m givin’ my all…
I’m praising my Jesus
Ain’t got time to die
Cause it takes all of my time
To praise my Jesus
All of my time
To praise my Lord
If I don’t praise him
The rocks gonna cry out
Glory and honor, glory and honor,
Ain’t got time to die
Holy, Holy
Ain’t got time to die
Oh, Lord, I woke up this mornin’ with my mind on freedom
(Woke up this mornin’ with my mind on freedom)
Woke up this mornin’ with my mind on freedom
Ain’t got time to die
Cause when I’m fightin’ the fight…
…I’m working for the kingdom
Ain’t got time to die
Oh, Lord, won’t you come by here
Cause somebody’s cryin’
Come by here
Cause somebody’s prayin’
Come by here, Lord
Cause somebody needs you
Ain’t got time to die
Hallelujah, hallelujah
And now I keep so busy shoutin’ at the headlines
Keep so busy screamin’ at the headlines
Keep so busy cursin’ those headlines
Ain’t got time to die
And then I keep so busy takin’ to the streets, I
Keep so busy marchin’ in the streets, I
Keep so busy shoutin’ in the streets, and I
Ain’t gonna let nobody turn me ‘round, turn me ‘round!
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Holy, holy
Ain’t got time
Heaven and Earth are full of thy glory
Ain’t got time
Glory and honor, glory and honor
Ain’t got time to die!
AGNUS DEI
*Quoted from Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech
And in my heart…
Deep in my heart…
I do believe…
Deep in my heart
We shall overcome
We are not afraid
Though every day brings a new reason
We shall not despair
For we will be our own hope
We are not afraid
With this faith* we shall stand together
Deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome
We are not alone
All through the darkest of hours
We’ll walk hand in hand
Along the sunlit path*
We are not alone
With this faith* we shall rise together
Deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world
Have mercy on us
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world
Grant us peace
And we shall all be free
We shall all be free someday
Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome someday
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Oh Lord
Oh Jesus
Oh, we shall overcome someday