We Shall Overcome: Songs of the Freedom Riders & the Sit-Ins

by Various Artists

This 1961 recording of spirituals, gospel and new music to "express the spirit of freedom" was the result of an effort by producer and performer Guy Carawan to bring together singers representative of hundreds of thousands African American students from the south participating in sit-ins, stand-ins and freedom rides for "first class citizenship" during the civil rights movement. The songs are performed by the Montgomery gospel trio, comprised of three high school girls from Alabama, as well as four seminary students who call themselves "the Nashville quartet" in an impromptu session as recorded by Moses Asch. 12 songs, 34 minutes, featuring liner notes detailing the history of the civil rights movement, pictures, and song lyrics.