I have a dream, as all men bleed-

This nation will embrace its creed:

"Equality for one and all,

Let freedom ring and racists fall."

I have a dream, in Georgia's wood-

A peaceful feast of brotherhood

As former sons of slaves unite

With sons of owners, bite for bite.

I have a dream, and it is sweet-

That even Mississippi's heat-

That heat of vile oppression's snare-

Will disappear and clear the air!

I have a dream, let me begin-

No one will judge for shade of skin,

And my four children will delight ...

Regardless black, regardless white.

I have a dream, a dream today!

And no, it will not go away.

That color does not make a man-

The content of the person can!

I have a dream, a rising noise-

That little girls and little boys

Of colors black and white will stand

Together, walking hand in hand!

I have a dream, a dream today!

In Alabama, what I say

Will vex the governor until

Those racists words must simply still ...

I have a dream, the valleys, high,

And mountains brought below the sky

Along the rough now smooth and plain-

The crooked, straight, will all remain.

As I move South, this faith and hope

Is carried with me as I grope

The hammer to beat down the stone

Of tyranny from off his throne!

In this faith, we will lift the Lord,

In brotherhood; in one accord-

In this faith, we will all prevail-

In struggles, joys, or even jail!

And this will be the greatest day-

The day when all God's children say:

"My country, 'tis of only thee-

Arise, oh land of liberty!"

And if America will be

The nation that we long to see-

Then freedom must upon each shore

Arise and travel door to door!

From New York, we let freedom ring!

From Pennsylvania, freedom ring!

From Colorado, freedom ring!

From California, freedom ring!

From Georgia, we let freedom ring!

From Tennessee, let freedom ring!

From Mississippi, freedom ring!

From every corner, freedom ring!

And when this happens, we will sing-

The majesty this day shall bring

As all God's children, black and white,

Go singing into that good night ...

"Oh, free at last, oh, free at last!

We overcome our father's past!

Remember we must make it last-

Oh, God Almighty, free at last!"

*This is a rhyming paraphrase of an excerpt from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous speech.