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The History of 'We Shall Overcome' Noah Adams traces the history of the civil rights song, "We Shall Overcome." It began as a folk work song, became a hymn, and then was used politically for the first time on the picket lines of the tobacco workers' strike in South Carolina in 1945. In the early 1960s, it became an inspirational force in the civil rights struggle. We hear from Pete Seeger, Guy and Candi Carawan of the Highlander Center, and Dr. Bernice Johnson-Reagon, one of the founding members of the Freedom Singers.

The History of 'We Shall Overcome'

Heard on All Things Considered

The History of 'We Shall Overcome'

Audio will be available later today.

Noah Adams traces the history of the civil rights song, "We Shall Overcome." It began as a folk work song, became a hymn, and then was used politically for the first time on the picket lines of the tobacco workers' strike in South Carolina in 1945. In the early 1960s, it became an inspirational force in the civil rights struggle. We hear from Pete Seeger, Guy and Candi Carawan of the Highlander Center, and Dr. Bernice Johnson-Reagon, one of the founding members of the Freedom Singers.