"Tennessee Rise" by The Tennessee Freedom Singers

Hello California Morning, Hello Mississippi Dawn.
Tennessee Rise, the sleep out of your eyes
You thought tomorrow’d never come
How you wanna ride this wave mmmmm
Depends what frequency you’re on
Go and make yourself known

I got joy in my heart this morning
I got trouble on my mind
Yes my people know how to feel two ways
About something at the very same time
Yeah the joy’s for the new day coming
Yeah the trouble’s for that too
Cause we’ve come so far / sooo far
But there’s so much left to do.

Hello California Morning, Hello Mississippi Dawn.
Tennessee Rise, the sleep out of your eyes
You thought tomorrow’d never come
How you wanna ride this wave mmmmm
Depends what frequency you’re on
Go and make yourself known
Tomorrow knows their own

Oh the Freedom Riders calling
Told us all to carry on
To be the ones, to be the ones
We shall not be overcome
Oh that long long Arc of Justice
That long long Arc of Peace
We Trouble these waters to be released
Come together now Tennessee

Oh The Trail of Tears is still rolling
Ole Tennessee waltzing in blood
My daughter can’t sleep for the nightmares
Every night she’s gunned down at school
Everyday she sings her wild anthems
She beats her fears out on her drums
Now she’s a wolf cub yeah she’s Harriet Tubman
Can we be brave as our children?

Hello California Morning, Hello Mississippi Dawn.
Tennessee rise, the sleep out of our eyes
You thought tomorrow’d never come
How you wanna ride this wave mmmmm
Depends what frequency you’re on
(Go and make yourself known
Tomorrow knows their own ) x 2

A handful of country and Americana singer/songwriters (known collectively as the Tennessee Freedom Singers) have come together for “Tennessee Rise,” a song inspired by movements for social justice and equality, and released to raise awareness for Senate candidate Gloria Johnson, one of the “Tennessee Three.” Artists involved include Allison Russell, Brittany Howard, Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, Brittney Spencer, Amanda Shires, Erin Rae, Katie Pruitt, Langhorne Slim, Tré Burt, and more. They say:

Tennessee Rise is an anthem born out of resistance from the rise of extremist forces, the unwillingness to accept the rollback of protections for historically marginalized groups, and a determination to keep Tennessee a place of welcoming that so many have found solace in. Inspired by the Tennessee Three, and the wave of activism that followed this past year, Tennessee Rise was formed from GRAMMY-winning artist Allison Russell’s deep love for the state — banding together some of Nashville’s best and brightest musicians for an essential fight for democracy. The collaboration is a first of its kind in bringing such artists together to use music as a show of support for a political candidate in this state.

[…] Gloria Johnson is a retired special education teacher, community leader, state representative, and a fearless champion of those who’ve been left out and left behind who is bringing power back to the people of Tennessee by building up a multi-generational, multi-racial, multi-party coalition like nothing the state has seen before. As a member of the Tennessee Three, Gloria stood up and spoke out against the state’s refusal to pass common sense gun reform to protect our children. After surviving a politically charged expulsion vote, Gloria continued to work tirelessly to use her platform to grow a lasting statewide grassroots movement for change. That’s why we are so proud to support Gloria, and her campaign for US Senate.