FREEDOM MUST PREVAIL - Song Page
© words & music by CARL REED
from CD Sky & Water, Wind & Grass

Album Note:  Carl’s song lyrics combine the ferocious sense of justice that fired Kansas’ early abolitionist movement with the deep Christian faith on which it was based.  In his rousing melody line and lead vocal, he stirs the spirit while telling the fascinating story of the “Beecher Bible & Rifle Colony” that settled in Wabaunsee county in 1855.

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LYRICS: 

The bibles and the rifles
were a gift from Henry Beecher 
Folks would come from far and wide
to hear that famous preacher 
He said "There’s an evil in the land,
and goodness must not fail" 
So it’s west to bleeding Kansas,
where freedom must prevail 

    Freedom must prevail all across the land 
    Freedom must prevail, it's here we take our stand 
    So we kneel beside our wagons
with a prayer for the trail 
    And a vision bright as angels
that freedom must prevail 

Through scorching summer sun and winter storm
we ride together 
Hardships, they will come and go,
but justice is forever 
Up ahead we’ll build the dream
with a chisel, saw and nail 
A sturdy house of worship
where freedom will prevail    

CHORUS 

Now limestone walls rise straight & true
and shelter all God’s people 
And the message that we carried grew,
and rings out from the steeple 
Liberty rides on the wind
and old folks tell the tale 
How all across this mighty land now
freedom did prevail   

CHORUS