This is a song by Huddie Ledbetter, aka Leadbelly, one of the greatest blues singers ever to have lived. His 12-string guitar playing, soulful vocals, and timeless songwriting have influenced everyone from Bob Dylan, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Taj Mahal, to X and nirvana. I learned this song from a recording by Sweet Honey in the Rock, on their first album for children, titled “All for Freedom”. I used to sing it with my students at Roosevelt Island Day Nursery. I really loved to see the sense of peaceful longing the song would bring out in them.

Daniel saw Sweet Honey do this song at The All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington DC. They walked through the crowd singing and everyone there was singing along. It was truly inspiring and never forgotten.