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{{for|the book of poetry by Maya Angelou|I Shall Not Be Moved (poetry)}}
{{for|the book of poetry by Maya Angelou|I Shall Not Be Moved (poetry)}}

"'''We Shall Not Be Moved'''", also known as "'''I Shall Not Be Moved'''", is a Black slave [[Spirituals|spiritual]], [[hymn]], and [[protest song]] dating to the early 19th century American south.<ref>{{cite book |title=We Shall Not Be Moved: Biography of a Song of Struggle |last=Spener |first=David |page=4 |year=2016 |publisher=[[Temple University Press]] |isbn=978-1-439-91299-7 }}</ref> It was likely originally sung at revivalist [[Camp_meeting|camp-meetings]] as a [[Spirituals#Jubilee_songs|slave jubilee]]. In 1908 by Alfred H. and B. D. Ackley copyrighted a hymn by the name "I Shall Not Be Moved".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Date|first=Henry|url=https://archive.org/details/pentecostalhymns00date_0/page/n9/mode/2up|title=Pentecostal hymns, nos. 5 & 6 combined : a winnowed collection for young people's societies, church prayer meetings, evangelistic services and Sunday schools|last2=Gabriel|first2=Chas H.|last3=Stebbins|first3=George C.|last4=Kirkpatrick|first4=William J.|date=1911|publisher=Chicago : Hope Pub. Co.|others=University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Music Library|pages=10}}</ref> The song describes being "like a tree planted by the waters" who "shall not be moved" because of faith in [[God]]. Secularly, as "We Shall Not Be Moved" it gained popularity as a protest and union song of the [[Civil Rights Movement]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Life flows on in endless song: folk songs and American history |last=Wells |first=Robert V. |page=95 |year=2009 |publisher=[[University of Illinois Press]] |isbn=978-0-252-07650-3 }}</ref>
"'''I Shall Not Be Moved'''", also known as "'''We Shall Not Be Moved'''", is a Black slave [[Spirituals|spiritual]], [[hymn]], and [[protest song]] dating to the early 19th century American south.<ref>{{cite book |title=We Shall Not Be Moved: Biography of a Song of Struggle |author=David Spener |page=4 |year=2016 |publisher=[[Temple University Press]] |isbn=978-1-439-91299-7 }}</ref> It was likely originally sung at revivalist [[Camp_meeting|camp-meetings]] as a [[Spirituals#Jubilee_songs|slave jubilee]]. The song describes being "like a tree planted by the waters" who "shall not be moved" because of faith in [[God]]. Secularly, as "We Shall Not Be Moved" it gained popularity as a protest and union song of the [[Civil Rights Movement]].<ref name=Civil/>


The text is based on biblical scripture:
The text is based on biblical scripture:
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{{quote|And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.||{{bibleverse|Psalm|1:3|KJV}}}}
{{quote|And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.||{{bibleverse|Psalm|1:3|KJV}}}}


In 1908 Alfred H. and B. D. Ackley copyrighted a hymn by the name "I Shall Not Be Moved".<ref>{{Cite book|author=Henry Date|url=https://archive.org/details/pentecostalhymns00date_0/page/n9/mode/2up|title=Pentecostal hymns, nos. 5 & 6 combined : a winnowed collection for young people's societies, church prayer meetings, evangelistic services and Sunday schools|author2=Chas H Gabriel|author3=George C. Stebbins|author4=William J. Kirkpatrick|date=1911|publisher=Chicago : Hope Pub. Co.|others=University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Music Library|pages=10}}</ref>
⚫
The song became popular in the Swedish [[anti-nuclear movement|anti-nuclear]] and [[peace movement]]s in the late 1970s, in a Swedish translation by Roland von Malmborg, "{{lang|sv|Aldrig ger vi upp}}" ('Never shall we give up').<ref>{{cite paper |last=Pettersson |first=Louise |date=2010 |title=På jakt efter miljörörelsens sångtradition |trans-title=In search of the Swedish environmental movement's song tradition|url=https://www.academia.edu/1819891/P%C3%A5_jakt_efter_milj%C3%B6r%C3%B6relsens_s%C3%A5ngtradition |language=SV|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>


⚫
[[The Spinners (UK band)|The Spinners]] set the musical tone of the 1975 [[Thames Television]] comedy about a Liverpool working class family, ''The Wackers''. The closing credits medley featured them singing "We Shall Not Be Moved" and "[[You'll Never Walk Alone]]".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-03|title=The Wackers, 1975|url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/the-wackers-1975|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-30|website=British Classic Comedy|at=(the song can be heard at the end of the clips embedded in the article)|language=en-GB}}</ref>


==Civil rights movement==
⚫
In Great Britain in the 1980s the song was used by the popular British wrestler [[Shirley Crabtree|Big Daddy]] as his walk-on music, which would be greeted by cheers from the fans.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Big Daddy|url=https://www.wilde-life.com/encyclopedia/b/big-daddy|access-date=2021-05-22|website=Wilde Life: Official Kim Wilde Fansite|language=en}}</ref>
As "We Shall Not Be Moved" the song gained popularity as a protest and union song of the [[Civil rights movement]].<ref name=Civil>{{cite book |title=Life flows on in endless song: folk songs and American history |author=Robert V. Wells |page=95 |year=2009 |publisher=[[University of Illinois Press]] |isbn=978-0-252-07650-3 }}</ref>


⚫
The song became popular in the Swedish [[anti-nuclear movement|anti-nuclear]] and [[peace movement]]s in the late 1970s, in a Swedish translation by Roland von Malmborg, "{{lang|sv|Aldrig ger vi upp}}" ('Never shall we give up').<ref>{{cite paper |author=Louise Pettersson|date=2010 |title=På jakt efter miljörörelsens sångtradition |trans-title=In search of the Swedish environmental movement's song tradition|url=https://www.academia.edu/1819891/P%C3%A5_jakt_efter_milj%C3%B6r%C3%B6relsens_s%C3%A5ngtradition |language=SV|access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref>
⚫
David Spener has written a book documenting the history of this song title, including how it was translated into Spanish, changing the first singular to third person plural, "{{lang|es|No Nos Moverán}}"<ref>David Spener. 2016. ''We Shall Not Be Moved / No Nos Moverán: Biography of a Song of Struggle.'' Philadelphia: Temple University Press.</ref> (meaning "They will not move us"). That version was part of the soundtrack of the well-known popular tv series [[Verano azul]], which popularized the song among the Spanish youth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/fugas/2019/08/30/moveran/0003_201908SF30P12991.htm|title=¡No nos moverán!|date=2019-08-30|website=La Voz de Galicia|language=es|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref>


==Recorded versions==
==Recorded versions==
{{prose| section}}
Among others, the following artists recorded "I (We) Shall Not Be Moved":
Among others, the following artists recorded "I (We) Shall Not Be Moved":
* [[Blind Roosevelt Graves]] (1929)<ref>{{cite web|author=Thom Owens |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/complete-recorded-works-1929-1936-mw0000089522 |title=Complete Recorded Works (1929-1936) - Blind Roosevelt Graves &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=1994-06-02 |access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref>
* [[Blind Roosevelt Graves]] (1929)<ref>{{cite web|author=Thom Owens |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/complete-recorded-works-1929-1936-mw0000089522 |title=Complete Recorded Works (1929-1936) - Blind Roosevelt Graves &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |website=[[AllMusic]] |date=1994-06-02 |access-date=2017-01-11}}</ref>
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==In popular culture==
==In popular culture==
{{trivia section}}

⚫
[[The Spinners (UK band)|The Spinners]] set the musical tone of the 1975 [[Thames Television]] comedy about a Liverpool working class family, ''The Wackers''. The closing credits medley featured them singing "We Shall Not Be Moved" and "[[You'll Never Walk Alone]]".<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-03|title=The Wackers, 1975|url=https://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/the-wackers-1975|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-30|website=British Classic Comedy|at=(the song can be heard at the end of the clips embedded in the article)|language=en-GB}}</ref>

⚫
In Great Britain in the 1980s the song was used by the popular British wrestler [[Shirley Crabtree|Big Daddy]] as his walk-on music, which would be greeted by cheers from the fans.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Big Daddy|url=https://www.wilde-life.com/encyclopedia/b/big-daddy|access-date=2021-05-22|website=Wilde Life: Official Kim Wilde Fansite|language=en}}</ref>

⚫
David Spener has written a book documenting the history of this song title, including how it was translated into Spanish, changing the first singular to third person plural, "{{lang|es|No Nos Moverán}}"<ref>David Spener. 2016. ''We Shall Not Be Moved / No Nos Moverán: Biography of a Song of Struggle.'' Philadelphia: Temple University Press.</ref> (meaning "They will not move us"). That version was part of the soundtrack of the well-known popular tv series [[Verano azul]], which popularized the song among the Spanish youth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/fugas/2019/08/30/moveran/0003_201908SF30P12991.htm|title=¡No nos moverán!|date=2019-08-30|website=La Voz de Galicia|language=es|access-date=2019-12-09}}</ref>

* JB Burnett covered the song for the first episode of the third season of ''[[Supernatural (U.S. TV series)|Supernatural]]'' ("The Magnificent Seven").{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}
* JB Burnett covered the song for the first episode of the third season of ''[[Supernatural (U.S. TV series)|Supernatural]]'' ("The Magnificent Seven").{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}


Revision as of 10:49, 10 June 2021

For the book of poetry by Maya Angelou, see I Shall Not Be Moved (poetry).

"I Shall Not Be Moved", also known as "We Shall Not Be Moved", is a Black slave spiritual, hymn, and protest song dating to the early 19th century American south.[1] It was likely originally sung at revivalist camp-meetings as a slave jubilee. The song describes being "like a tree planted by the waters" who "shall not be moved" because of faith in God. Secularly, as "We Shall Not Be Moved" it gained popularity as a protest and union song of the Civil Rights Movement.[2]

The text is based on biblical scripture:

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

— Jeremiah 17:7–8

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

— Psalm 1:3

In 1908 Alfred H. and B. D. Ackley copyrighted a hymn by the name "I Shall Not Be Moved".[3]


Civil rights movement

As "We Shall Not Be Moved" the song gained popularity as a protest and union song of the Civil rights movement.[2]

The song became popular in the Swedish anti-nuclear and peace movements in the late 1970s, in a Swedish translation by Roland von Malmborg, "Aldrig ger vi upp" ('Never shall we give up').[4]

Recorded versions

Among others, the following artists recorded "I (We) Shall Not Be Moved":

The Spinners set the musical tone of the 1975 Thames Television comedy about a Liverpool working class family, The Wackers. The closing credits medley featured them singing "We Shall Not Be Moved" and "You'll Never Walk Alone".[27]

In Great Britain in the 1980s the song was used by the popular British wrestler Big Daddy as his walk-on music, which would be greeted by cheers from the fans.[28]

David Spener has written a book documenting the history of this song title, including how it was translated into Spanish, changing the first singular to third person plural, "No Nos Moverán"[29] (meaning "They will not move us"). That version was part of the soundtrack of the well-known popular tv series Verano azul, which popularized the song among the Spanish youth.[30]

See also

References

  1. ^ David Spener (2016). We Shall Not Be Moved: Biography of a Song of Struggle. Temple University Press. p. 4. ISBN 978-1-439-91299-7.
  2. ^ a b Robert V. Wells (2009). Life flows on in endless song: folk songs and American history. University of Illinois Press. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-252-07650-3.
  3. ^ Henry Date; Chas H Gabriel; George C. Stebbins; William J. Kirkpatrick (1911). Pentecostal hymns, nos. 5 & 6 combined : a winnowed collection for young people's societies, church prayer meetings, evangelistic services and Sunday schools. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Music Library. Chicago : Hope Pub. Co. p. 10.
  4. ^ Louise Pettersson (2010). "På jakt efter miljörörelsens sångtradition" [In search of the Swedish environmental movement's song tradition] (in Swedish). Retrieved 2019-03-25. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ Thom Owens (1994-06-02). "Complete Recorded Works (1929-1936) - Blind Roosevelt Graves | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  6. ^ "Charley Patton Vol 2 1929 - Document Records Vintage Blues and Jazz". Document-records.com. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  7. ^ "The original talking union and other union songs sound recording / with the Almanac Singers ; with Pete Seeger and chorus". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  8. ^ "Lonnie Donegan Showcase - Lonnie Donegan". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
  9. ^ Fricke, David (1988-02-25). "Million Dollar Quartet: Complete Million Dollar Session : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  10. ^ Mohdin, Aamna (2020-09-10). "'They couldn't arrest us all': civil rights veteran Rutha Mae Harris on MLK, protest and prison". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-05-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "The Best of Mississippi John Hurt sound recording". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  12. ^ "Brighten the Corner - Ella Fitzgerald". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
  13. ^ "Oktoberklub". Deutsche Mugge. Retrieved 2021-05-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ Bruce Eder. "The Best of the Seekers - The Seekers". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
  15. ^ "An unofficial Blue Goose Records Homepage". Wirz. Retrieved 2021-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "Gracias a la Vida - Joan Baez". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-16.
  17. ^ "Blues from Elmo, Texas - Henry Qualls | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 1995-11-22. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
  18. ^ "I Shall Not Be Moved - Underground Ministries". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  19. ^ "Still the Same Me - Sweet Honey in the Rock". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  20. ^ "Front Seat Solidarity - This Bike Is a Pipe Bomb". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  21. ^ "The music - In these times". "Peter, Paul and Mary" official website. Retrieved 2021-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "My Mother's Hymn Book - Johnny Cash". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
  23. ^ Sullivan, Caroline (2007-04-20). "CD: Mavis Staples, We'll Never Turn Back". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-05-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp - Public Enemy". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
  25. ^ McDonagh, Owen; Bogside Men (1970). "Songs of Irish civil rights". Library of Congress. Belfast: Outlet. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  26. ^ "They're Calling Me Home - Rhiannon Giddens". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  27. ^ "The Wackers, 1975". British Classic Comedy. 2021-03-03. (the song can be heard at the end of the clips embedded in the article). Retrieved 2021-05-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  28. ^ "Big Daddy". Wilde Life: Official Kim Wilde Fansite. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
  29. ^ David Spener. 2016. We Shall Not Be Moved / No Nos Moverán: Biography of a Song of Struggle. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
  30. ^ "¡No nos moverán!". La Voz de Galicia (in Spanish). 2019-08-30. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
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