“I think that it is very important to understand that there is an American history of terrorizing its own citizens that’s held in the legacy of African Americans. Families wonder how they can get their young boys to the age of 35 without being killed.”

Today, part two of our special with legendary civil rights singers, Sweet Honey in the Rock.

Since 1973, Sweet Honey in the Rock has reinvented a cappella music and introduced a generation to the roots of African-American music: gospel, spirituals and hymns as well as the blues and jazz.

The Grammy Award-winning group has released 18 albums and has toured the world.

This year they are celebrating their 30th year together. It was 1973 when Bernice Johnson Reagon brought together a group of female singers to form an a cappella group.

At the time Reagon was the music director of the old D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company. The first song they practiced was called “Sweet Honey in the Rock.” The tune referenced a religious parable that spoke of a land so rich that when rocks were cracked open, honey flowed from them.

• Sweet Honey in the Rock Special–Part II

Songs:

• “Study War No More”
• “Women Gather”
• “Greed”
• “Run”
• “Would You Harbor Me”
• “Ballad of Harry T Moore”
• “I Remember I Believe”
• “Ella Song”