Music is such a powerful tool in stirring emotions and opening minds. Sometimes a song has the right words that can help a person take that first step towards action. One example is the song “Make Them Hear You” written by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty for “Ragtime” the Musical which opened on Broadway in 1998.

The world is currently going through such a chaotic and critical time. Apart from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are protests happening in the US and HongKong, alarm with the anti-terrorism bill in the Philippines, and it seems that political unrest is happening left and right.

Listening to the song is a great reminder to not be silent in the face of injustice and wrongdoings. That peace and love must prevail over bloodshed and violence. Check out the versions from several artists below and let us know what you think.

Sara Bareilles’ performance in Miscast 2018
Kevin McAllister as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ford’s Theater production of Ragtime (2017)
Brian Stokes Mitchell, who essayed the role of Coalhouse role on Broadway sings it in “Let Freedom Ring”, a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the The Kennedy Center in 2019
Three Mo’ Tenors, 2001
Ramin Karimloo in his “Road to Find Out” North American Tour, 2012
Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo with the Broadway Backwards ensemble, in Broadway Backwards 2017

MAKE THEM HEAR YOU

Go out and tell our story
Let it echo far and wide
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

How Justice was our battle
And how Justice was denied
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

And say to those who blame us
For the way we chose to fight,
That sometimes there are battles
That are more than black or white

And I could not put down my sword
When Justice was my right
Make them hear you

Go out and tell our story to your daughters and your sons
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

And tell them, “In our struggle,
We were not the only ones”
Make them hear you
Make them hear you

Your sword could be a sermon
Or the power of the pen
Teach every child to raise his voice
And then my brothers, then

Will justice be demanded by ten million righteous men
Make them hear you-
When they hear you,
I’ll be near you
Again

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