Today, in a comment, dear friend Roger sent me this song, and as I listened, something … clicked. I felt tears welling, wanted to share this beautiful moment. I realize this is one I have played here before, this is the same version musically, but a slightly different video and a very moving one, I think. Thank you, Roger, for reminding me of this song … a tribute to some truly great men who helped people, who cared about the nation and its people.
A tribute to the memory of four assassinated Americans, all icons of social change: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Robert F. Kennedy. This song was written in response to the assassination of King and that of Robert Kennedy in April and June 1968, respectively. More than 50 years … can it really have been so long ago? I remember it … truly as if it were just a few weeks ago. As I listen to this song, I cannot help but choke … remembering … the hope these men brought us … how I wish they were here today … 😢
The original version was recorded by Dion Francis DiMucci, better known simply as Dion. Although the song has been recorded by many of my favourites such as Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, the Brothers Four, Marvin Gaye, Bob Dylan, Whitney Houston, and Smokey Robinson, to name a few, the Dion version remains my favourite. And so, I bring you, in honour of four truly great men whose lives, because they were great, because they worked tirelessly for equality for all, were cut far too short …
Abraham, Martin And John
Dion DiMucci
Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
He freed a lotta people, but it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he’s gone.
Has anybody here seen my old friend John,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
He freed a lotta people, but it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he’s gone.
Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
He freed a lotta people, but it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he’s gone.
Didn’t you love the things they stood for?
Didn’t they try to find some good for you and me?
And we’ll be free,
Someday soon it’s gonna be one day.
Has anybody here seen my old friend Bobby,
Can you tell me where he’s gone?
I thought I saw him walkin’ up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin and John.
Songwriters: Richard Holler
Abraham, Martin And John lyrics © Regent Music Corporation, Stonehenge Music
Filosofa's Word 
You are right – the timing of this dear tender song arrives while wounds are open after the most recent killings. Maybe the eclipse also brings our emotions to the surface. Thank you for passing it along. Love, Lisa
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It is definitely a moving song, one that has never, and likely never will, lose its relevance. Yes, the weekend mass shootings … were horrific and not likely to be the last. Some are even egging them on. Sigh. Sadly, we didn’t get to see the eclipse, for the rain and clouds decided we shouldn’t. Love ‘n hugs, dear friend!
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What I would like people to see in this song is that most of the assassinations of great people in the world, those taken away from us, were people fighting for the good of all people. I do not have in front of me a list of all the assassinated or murdered icons of the world, but off the top of my head I can add at least two more names to this list: Mahatma Gandhi in India and Stephen Bantu Biko in South Africa. (Lately there have been so many assassinations of lesser known people, like Jamal Khashoggi and the very recent Shireen Abu Akleh, people who may not have been leaders but were freedom fighters all the same. (If you know a name you believe should be on this list, please add it below.) I will add Malcolm X right now.
The point is, people don’t generally waste bullets on bullies and dictators. No one shot Richard Nixon, Donald Trump, or Vladimir Putin (yet!). That is because most violence on this scale is committed by those who fear change, people or organizations that are fighting only for themselves, people who do not care about the good of others. FEAR OF CHANGE seems to be a very real thing in our world.
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John Lennon.
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Yep.
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What an excellent point you make, the same one essentially that this song makes, but you’ve expanded on it quite well. Yes, I’m sure we could ultimately name many others, but the point is made and it is valid. It seems to me that you’re right … on the whole, people don’t really care one whit about others, people are arrogant and want the rest of the world to look and think just as they do. I’m pretty tired of living in this world of humans, y’know? Sigh. LuL
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You aren’t the only one. Except, I am not tired of living, yet. Just not here, not now.
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Great men with great deeds done…I’m all teary.
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They certainly were … I remember each, except of course Abe Lincoln … and wish they were still around today, or wish others had picked up where they left off.
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I couldn’t agree more. I just pray the next generations will be able to fix what has been broken. I don’t know that we will see the evil overcome in our lifetime.
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Probably best I don’t answer that tonight, for my mood is dark and … well, suffice it to say that I share your hope, my friend.
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Big hugs and lots of light coming your way, my friend. Dark days happen, but we rise above them. I hope the light finds you tomorrow ❤
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Thanks, my friend. There are moments of light in every day … my girls and the moggies see to that … but with the state of the world today, I suspect bright days are a thing of the past, at least for now. Ah well … ’tis what keeps me fighting.
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You’re welcome! I definitely have those days too, and I think it comes with how passionate we are to fix the world. We carry a heavy load on our shoulders for sure. Big hugs my friend ❤
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What a great share, Jill. Some very courageous men. True Americans.
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Thanks, Carla! Yes, that song moves me to tears as I remember those four and their contributions to humanity. We need some like them today!
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Pingback: ABRAHAM, MARTIN AND JOHN. |jilldennison.com | Ramblings of an Occupy Liberal
Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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Thanks, Ned!!!
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I only knew the Marvin Gaye version of this so I’m grateful to you for playing this one. Still a powerful song.
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I liked Marvin’s version too … and you’re right … it brings a tear every time I hear it. We surely could use some like those four today.
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though it didn’t move me as much as Marvin’s version, it’s still a great song.
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Yeah, I liked Marvin’s version too, but like you said, it’s a great song with a moving message.
Cwtch
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Love this song. They don’t make ’em like these guys anymore, unfortunately for us.
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Ain’t it the truth! We sure could use some like them today!
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