Across Time's Hall
Originated as a Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for African American History Month at the Chicago HUD office in 1986.
Across Time's Hall
(Reflections and
Foreshadowings around the life of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
He was a man much like us,
wasn't makin' much of a fuss --
Why, he might even have sat
in the back of a bus.
Till he heard that old call
from across time's hall...
The clarion call, born of
suffering and pain:
A people crying for freedom, again.
Its been heard before, and
doubtless will be some more,
Waiting for a soul that
cannot ignore.
Yes, he felt that call coming
down time's hall:
"Don't crush our
dignity, we just want to be free."
So he put down his plans and
took up their plea.
With leadership unique he put
people in the street,
Not to fight and hate, but
make non-violence complete.
Thus he answered that call as
it echoed time's hall.
But deep in his heart, it was
God playing a part.
'Twas God who gave him his
power from the start.
So when moments emerge and we
know the urge
Our hearts of strife and
hatred to purge,
Then we've heard that call as
it crosses time's hall.
Will we, too, act to throw
shackles back,
To move with the plan in
God's eternal hand:
To be reconciled to God, and
then man to man?
Melvin W. Hansen
Originally
composed in February, 1986. Revised February 1994
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©
1986, 1994 |
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