Sister Helen's Justice Train Playlist

Get on board!

How do you keep your spirits up, how do you keep on keeping on in tough and challenging times?

One of the best ways I know is through music:

  • Music that reminds us what we’re struggling for.
  • Music that reminds us of why it’s worth the struggle.
  • Music that strengthens us when we need to be brave; that lifts up up when we’re feeling lost or helpless; that reminds us of our own power; that connects us through our common humanity.
  • Songs we can sing when we’re facing down injustices in the world.

Music has played an important role in the struggle for justice - for people and the earth - throughout the years and across the continents.

The Justice Train must keep rolling, so let’s share our music so we can keep rolling along with it. I want your suggestions! You’ll find a submission box below the playlist.

Follow Sister Helen’s Justice Train playlist on Spotify.

The Justice Train Playlist

Click the song title to view a performance, see the lyrics, and see who nominated the song and why they chose it.</p> <p>(If you're looking at this playlist on a phone, swipe left to see the performer/composer.)

Song / Work / Piece

Let It Be
No Hard Feelings
Everything is Everything
Seize the Day
Imagine
One Voice in the Crowd
Nothing More
Candles in the Rain
Bella Ciao
I've Got Life
Rise Up
El Condor Pasa
We Shall Overcome
One
The Highway
Jubilee
One Man's Hands
Ella's Song
Talkin' About a Revolution
We Shall Not Be Moved
For What It's Worth
Freedom
Antipatriarca
My City of Ruins
Crumbs From Your Table
Forever
He Ain't Heavy
You Will Be Found
Bread and Roses
Get Together
Wind of Change
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
I Will Survive
Woke Up This Morning
Ode to Joy
Over Yonder (Jonathan's Song)
Stand By Me
Lean On Me
Protest Song
O-o-h Child
One Love
Which Side Are You On
Keep Ya Head Up
How I Got Over
Hear Me Lord
Get up, Stand Up
From Little Things Big Things Grow
Dancing in the Streets
I Heard an Owl
Blk Girl Soldier
Power of the People
Blessings
Lift Every Voice
Ain't Gonna Let Nobody
This Little Light
The Children Came Back
Took the Children Away
Glory
Here to Love
Anyway
Reel Around the Sun
Amazing Grace
I Shall Be Released
Walk Unafraid
The Creator Has a Master Plan

Performer /composer

The Beatles
The Avett Brothers
Ms. Lauryn Hill
Carolyn Arends
John Lennon
Judy Small
The Alternate Routes
Melanie Safka
Ms. Lauryn Hill
Andra Day
Simon and Garfunkel
Various
U2
N’we Jinan
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Odetta
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Tracy Chapman
Pete Seeger
Buffalo Springfield
Richie Havens
Ana Tijoux
Bruce Springstein
U2
Jason Nelson
The Hollies
Ben Platt
Oppenheimer/Denver
The Youngbloods
Scorpions
Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole
Gloria Gaynor
The Freedom Singers
Ludwig van Beethoven
Steve Earle
Playing for Change
Bill Withers
Broken Social Scene
Nina Simone
Elle Varner
Florence Reese
Tupac
Mahalia Jackson
Oliver Mtukudzi
Bob Marley and the Wailers
Paul Kelly
Martha and the Vandellas
Carrie Newcomer
Jamila Woods
Lola Kristine
Chance the Rapper
Committed
The Roots
Betty Fikes
Briggs & Gurrumul & Dewayne Everettsmith
Archie Roach
Common, John Legend
Lenny Kravitz
Martina McBride
Bill Whelan
Bob Dylan / Performed by Wilco / Fleet Foxes
R.E.M.
Pharoah Sanders

Do you have a song that deserves to ride the Justice Train? Let us know about it below.