Carol Windrum has re-written the lyrics to the hymn We’ve a Story to Tell the Nations, which fell out of favor as mainline Protestantism distanced itself from white supremacist and imperialist aspects of mission pervasive in Britain and America at the time of its writing in 1896. Written by a children’s hymn writer, it became a staple of Sunday school and bible school for a century. Rev. Windrum’s version explores the opposite message, challenging us to seek out and listen to the lessons that other voices can teach us.
We’ve a story to hear from the nations, that shall turn our hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light.
Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.
We’ve a song to be heard from the nations, that shall lift our hearts to the Lord,
a song that shall conquer evil, and shatter the spear and sword.
We’ve wisdom to receive from the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above
has sent Christ’s light to save us, and show us that God is love.
The Dakota Access Pipeline Protests at Standing Rock in 2016 are a unique example of sacred activism, where environmentalists, clergy, black lives matter activists, and military veterans came to standing rock to stand with the indigenous protestors against aggressive state violence and threats to their tribal sovereignty, ancestral homelands, sacred sites, way of life, and drinking water. Like many of the many dangerous energy infrastructure projects, the Dakota Access Pipeline was constructed through impoverished and indigenous communities – communities that don’t wield political power. Originally routed to the north of Bismarck, North Dakota, when the >90% white community complained the Army Corps of Engineers, the pipeline was promptly re-routed through the Standing Rock Reservation.
From Raye Zaragoza: “What inspired me most was listening to different testimonials of the Standing Rock Sioux people. Hearing them speak of their concern for their children and the generations to come. The more and more I read about what is happening in North Dakota, the more it breaks my heart. I am Native myself, Pima, and will do whatever I can to support the Standing Rock Sioux. Any threat to water is a threat to all of us. I wanted to see what I could do to help, and this video is a start. I truly believe that music can be the voice of change, the voice of a generation. So many musicians in history have been a part of civil rights movements, and have helped huge changes in history. The vibrations of music have the power to hold someone’s attention, and if you use that to get the word out about important issues – it can be so powerful. I hope people will like my song, and through that – listen to the message. And support the cause.”
There’s got to be some hope, there’s got to be some way
For you to send your dogs away and to leave the land alone*
It’s got to be a crime somewhere in your heart you’ll find
We’re fighting for our right to keep our future bright
And protect the ones we love
In the river is our sisters and our brothers, we are camping out for each other
We are stronger when we band together and we’re standing up for the water
Don’t poison the future away
You’ve got to have a soul, Mother Earth protects us all
If you treat her with disrespect
Then what message have you left for your children and their home
In the river is our sisters and our brothers, we are camping out for each other
We are stronger when we band together and we’re standing up for the water
Don’t poison the future away
How can you take, take, take and not appreciate the soil
Don’t let this black snake contaminate our drinking water
This is for our sons and daughters
In the river is our sisters and our brothers, we are camping out for each other
We are stronger when we band together and we’re standing up for the water
Don’t poison the future away
*The corporation that ran the pipeline project, Energy Transfer Partners, hired private security forces that applied high levels of violence and used attack dogs on the protestors.