We Shall Overcome
C. J. Johnson Lyrics

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We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
Someday
Deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome
We shall overcome

Someday
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
Someday
Deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome
Someday
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
Someday
Deep in my heart I do believe
We shall live in Peace
Someday
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
Today
Deep in my heart do believe
We are not afraid
Today
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
When we come together
And United as one
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
Bringing Unity with the rhythm of the drum
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
United as one
United we'll stand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
Every single one of us across the land
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
When the fighting stop
And the Unity increase
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
When the wicked are deceased
And the innocent released
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
You could ah threaten with a gun
You could ah threaten with a blade
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
If it time to go then it can not be delayed
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
Someday
Deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
Someday
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
When we come together
And United as one
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
Bringing Unity with the rhythm of the drum
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
United as one
United we'll stand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
Every single one of us across the land
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
When the fighting stop
And the Unity increase
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
When the wicked are deceased
And the innocent released
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
You could ah threaten with a gun
You could ah threaten with a blade
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
If it time to go then it can not be delayed
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
You could ah threaten with a gun
You could ah threaten with a blade
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
If it time to go then it can not be delayed
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
United as one
United we'll stand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
Every single one of us across the land
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
When the fighting stop
And the Unity increase
We shall live in Peace
We shall live in Peace
When the wicked are deceased
And the innocent released
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid
Today
We are not afraid
We are not afraid

We are not afraid
Today

Overall Meaning

C.J. Johnson's “We Shall Overcome” is a song of hope and resilience that inspires people to come together in the face of adversity. With powerful refrains of "We shall overcome, someday" and "We are not afraid," the song encourages unity and a belief in a better tomorrow. The lyrics speak to the fight for civil rights and social justice, echoing the sentiments and struggles of the African American community throughout history.

The repeated use of "Deep in my heart, I do believe" emphasizes the personal investment and emotional commitment to the struggle, suggesting that the fight for justice is not just an intellectual or political exercise, but a matter of the heart. The image of walking hand in hand is a powerful symbol of solidarity and unity, and the idea that we shall overcome when we come together suggests that only by working together can we achieve social change.

The song's message of hope and perseverance has resonated with people all over the world, becoming an anthem for various social justice movements. As history has shown us, change is not easy, and the struggle for a better tomorrow requires dedication, persistence, and courage. “We Shall Overcome” is a call to action that encourages us to keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

We shall overcome
Together, we will overcome the obstacles we face

Someday
Although it may be in the future, we will eventually achieve our goal

Deep in my heart
The singer truly believes in what they are singing

I do believe
The artist is confident in their belief

We'll walk hand in hand
We will walk side by side, supporting and uplifting each other

United we'll stand
As a united front, we will be strong and resilient

When the fighting stop
When the conflicts and battles cease

And the Unity increase
As we come together and become more unified

Bringing Unity with the rhythm of the drum
The power of music can bring people together and create harmony

Every single one of us across the land
All individuals, no matter where they come from or what they believe, can join in this movement

If it time to go then it can not be delayed
If the time has come to act, we cannot wait or hesitate any longer