On the day Donald Trump calls an attention-seeking national emergency to get funding for his controversial wall project, a song from 1973 by the great soul and gospel family with a message that’s loud and clear. In a time of nationalism, isolationism and xenophobia, what better song to counteract the divisive actions of a president desperate to throw out his toys from the pram, and use the words national emergency as if he desires to become a Franklin D. Roosevelt figure? Taken from the album Be What You Are, the song has a beautifully smooth groove, with lead vocals by Mavis, alongside siblings Cleotha and Yvonne and Roebuck ‘Pops’ also on guitar. The song was written by Stax regulars Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson and Carl Hampton.
It's time we build bridges instead of walls
And give peace a chance to come across walls
Too long we've been isolated, it's time we communicated
And it's time we build bridges instead of walls
It's time we build bridges instead of walls
It's time we make peace instead of walls
It's time we made friends instead of guns
All for one, the one for all
Together we stand and divide it with all
It's time we build bridges instead of walls
Woah, it's time we build bridges instead of walls
Woah, it's time, time we saw the other side
And time will find the words with the other guy, he's alright
Let's get to know each other better
And no doubt we'll scream aloud
And it's time we build bridges instead of walls
Woah, it's time we build bridges instead of walls
Oh, it's time we build bridges instead of walls
Yeah, it's time we build bridges instead of walls
It's time we build bridges instead of walls
It's time we build bridges instead of walls
It's time we build bridges instead of walls
Want to suggest songs for Song of the Day or to say anything about it? Does this song make you think of something else? Then feel free to comment below, on the contact page, or on social media: Song Bar Twitter, Song Bar Facebook. Song Bar YouTube. Please subscribe, follow and share.
New to comment? It is quick and easy. You just need to login to Disqus once. All is explained in About/FAQs ...