The Playlist: Justice

If I Had a Hammer

Peter, Paul and Mary - If I Had a Hammer (1963 performance)

We have the hammer of justice to alert us to danger. This truly classic song by the great folk/rock trio is among the anthems of those seeking social justice, and so many of us have sung along over the years.

We Are All in This Together

Carole King - We Are All in This Together

Carole King tells us that when we band together to join “the just [who] are seeking justice,” we will defeat the fear that may hold us back individually. Justice is the province of all, and all can achieve justice by working together to achieve it.

Blowin’ in The Wind

Bob Dylan - Blowin’ in the Wind (Official Audio)

Dylan’s early music brought us the message that we must seek justice for all men and women. Justice is best served by working to have the law treat us all fairly and equally. As yet, the answers to his hard questions are “blowin’ in the wind.”

We Shall Overcome

Joan Baez - We Shall Overcome (BBC Television Theatre, London - June 5, 1965)

The basic theme of this folk song has had verse upon verse added as people sang of peace and justice for all. It represents the hope that the goals of social justice will be met, and the call to contribute to the struggle. Of all the voices that have shared this song, this clip of the young Joan Baez stands out as sweet and clear.

The Impossible Dream

Man of La Mancha (1972) - The Impossible Dream Scene (6/9) | Movieclips

From Man of La Mancha, this song is Don Quixote’s credo. “To fight for the right without question or pause,” he explains his motivation. In so doing, he models for the rest of us the need for commitment to justice.

Hurricane

Bob Dylan - Hurricane (Official Audio)

After almost 20 years, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter was released from prison due to a writ of habeas corpus. He had been wrongfully convicted of murder after falsified testimony, and police misconduct led a jury to find him guilty. Dylan lays out the facts that make him say he is “ashamed to live in a land/Where justice is a game.”

The Word Justice

Jackson Browne -The Word Justice

Jackson Browne tells of how the government keeping vital facts secret thwarts justice. He concludes that for the word justice to have any true meaning, “Justice must be won.” If we want justice, we cannot be complacent.

What Did You Learn in School Today

Pete Seeger - What Did You Learn In School?

“I learned that justice never ends.” But as we listen to Seeger’s words, we realize that our schools really don’t teach children the truth about justice and the world around us. Half-truths that conceal the real facts threaten these half-falsehoods to continue from generation to generation.

Redemption Song

Bob Marley - Redemption Song (Music video)

Bob Marley sings of the past injustice of slavery and tells how we must now “emancipate ourselves from mental slavery” together. Singing “redemption songs” with each other will keep us from repeating injustice.

Park Avenue

Blues Brothers - Perry Mason Theme (with lyrics)

This one’s just for fun. Do you remember this music? Do you remember how Perry Mason (almost) always achieved justice for his clients?