Martin Luther King, Jr. unveiled a dream and a brighter vision
Rosa Parks, unwilling to move aside, said "no"
A. Philip Randolph organized a march that would make waves
Charles McDew and fellow students rose to meet the tide
Little Linda Brown challenged the Board of Education
Ruby Bridges took a step forward, with her chin held high
Ezell Blair and friends sat-in for equal service
James Meredith marched against fear, unflinchingly
John Lewis and others rode for freedom
Whitney Young spoke up for the black working class
James Farmer was pacifism at its core
And hundreds of thousands more also took a stand
The work of heroes is often anonymous
But we honour the names that are known
And never forget the the bravery that goes unsung
For, through the reverberating struggle,
Their voices rang clear

And they are ringing still