I was once again listening to the superb CD titled "Freedom" put out by Mudcatters Joanne Crabtree and Paul Mills. The title is derived from a song they wrote called "The Price of Freedom", which is about the 3 slain civil rights workers from 1964. Reading the notes about the song, then the lyrics, then pondering the historic event which we are about to witness with Obama's inaugaration, caused me to realize yet again what a price has been paid. The struggle for civil rights in this country is one of the defining struggles of the last 200 years, and its climactic move to this moment is the defining struggle of my generation's time. It is wise counsel that Mills and Crabtree give us, when they remind us that behind this feel good moment lies a bloody, and vicious struggle caused by one people taking advantage of another. Viewed in the abstract, this moment is easy to see as inevitable and obvious. But when we re-examine the suffering, the tragedy, the cruelty in its full light, then we can rise to the moment with pride at having gotten there. Then we can say with pride that, at least for the moment, we have taken the correct step.

This fine song will go into my repertoire of social activism songs I perform with gratitude to these good friends for writing it. It is a true gem.

Here are the Joanne's notes, followed by the lyrics, with apologies for the caps on the lyrics. I am cut and pasting them.

Whenever the roll is called for those who died in the American Freedom Revolution of the nineteen sixties, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwermer, and James Chaney are referred to only by their last names.

It became important to me to write down their first names and to say/sing them out loud.

I had long ago created and filed away a rough version of the chorus for The Price of Freedom. One day I dusted it off and sent it to Paul. He responded by writing the lines that eventually became our first verse. His poem affected me on a very deep level and inspired me to make Michael, James, and Andrew the heart of our song.

THE PRICE OF FREEDOM
(Joanne Crabtree, Paul Mills)

LIKE A CHILD WHOSE NEEDS ARE GREATEST WHEN THE HUNGER COMES AGAIN
WHO TURNS TOWARDS HIS MOTHER AND CRIES ALOUD IN PAIN
IT'S THE SOUL OF A NATION BEARS THIS HEAVY LOAD
WHAT'S THE PRICE OF FREEDOM WHEN FREEDOM'S CHILD IS SOLD

CHORUS:
WHAT'S THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IN THIS LAND OF LIBERTY?
WHAT'S THE COST OF LIVING WITH THE STRUGGLE TO BE FREE?
GAINING GROUND BY INCHES, FOREVER STANDING GUARD
WHAT THE PRICE OF FREEDOM WHEN VICTORY COMES SO HARD

MICHAEL, JAMES AND ANDREW SIGNED ON IN '64
TO REGISTER BLACK VOTERS IN THE SAVAGE SOUTHERN WAR
KLANSMEN BEAT JAMES CHANEY BLOODY ON MISSISSIPPI NIGHT
SHOT AND KILLED THE THREE OF THEM BY FREEDOM'S FLICKERING LIGHT

CHORUS:
WHAT'S THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IN THIS LAND OF LIBERTY?
WHAT'S THE COST OF LIVING WITH THE STRUGGLE TO BE FREE?
GAINING GROUND BY INCHES, FOREVER STANDING GUARD
WHAT THE PRICE OF FREEDOM WHEN VICTORY COMES SO HARD

JAMES CHANEY, LOCAL BLACK KID, MICHAEL SCHWERMER, NEW YORK JEW
ANDREW GOODMAN, LIBERAL COLLEGE BOY FROM AMONG THE PRIVILEGED FEW
THEY SHARED ONE SINGLE ASPIRATION, TO GIVE EVERY CHILD A CHOICE
THEY DIED OUTSIDE THE PROMISED LAND,
BUT THEY STRENGTHENED FREEDOM'S VOICE

CHORUS:
WHAT'S THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IN THIS LAND OF LIBERTY?
WHAT'S THE COST OF LIVING WITH THE STRUGGLE TO BE FREE?
GAINING GROUND BY INCHES, FOREVER STANDING GUARD
WHAT THE PRICE OF FREEDOM WHEN VICTORY COMES SO HARD