"We Shall Overcome" – a Brief History

On day two of National Folk Song History Week, I decided to take a look at one of the most anthemic tunes of the Civil Rights era.

"We Shall Overcome" became particularly popular in the 1960s, although its origins have been traced as far back as 1903. Pete Seeger learned it from Zilphia Horton, adapted it, and taught it to other folksingers and his audiences to sing. However, the song had a half century (or so) to evovle and expand its meaning before Seeger and Joan Baez popularized it during the 1960s folk revival.

More on Folk Song History ...
"This Land is Your Land"
African-American Folk Music History
Brief History of American Folk Music