Remembering Dr. King’s dream

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quoted the Old Testament Prophet Isaiah in his famous speech at the “March on Washington” in 1963.

updated August 23, 2023

Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.

Isaiah 40:4-5, NIV

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. quoted this scripture passage from Isaiah chapter 40 in his famous speech at the “March on Washington” on August 28, 1963.

(Interestingly, this passage was also used as the lyrics for one of the songs in Handel’s Messiah.)

“I have a dream.”

 

“even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. “

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On the third Monday of January every year, the United States observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as an official federal holiday.

"I have a dream"
Plaque honoring the “I have a dream” speech by Dr. King

Listen to and read the full text of  “I Have A Dream”.

The Reverend Dr. King led the Civil Rights Movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. His famous speech, delivered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. is remembered, read, and recited by people all over the country on the anniversary of his birth each year.

graphic by LIGHTSTOCK.COM , an affiliate site for media

Books by and about Dr. King

The following book suggestions lead to affiliate links which may pay a commission to this blog at no extra cost to you.

I am Martin Luther King, Jr. (Ordinary People Change the World) I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World, Special 75th Anniversary Edition (Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929) I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World, Special 75th Anniversary Edition (Martin Luther King, Jr., born January 15, 1929)

Exploring the HEART of human rights

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Dr. Aletha

Here I am at the Lincoln Memorial looking toward the Washington Memorial on a trip to Washington DC in 2022.

Beautiful- Remembering the Music of Carole King

In this post I remember a date night at the theater watching “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” highlighting King’s journey as a songwriter with Gerry Goffin. Despite their success in music, their marriage struggled due to infidelity and mental health issues. I have slso reviewed her memoir.

updated June 30, 2025

“You’ve got to get up every morning

With a smile on your face

And show the world all the love in your heart

Then people gonna treat you better

You’re gonna find, yes you will

That you’re beautiful as you feel.”

Beautiful by Carole King

My husband and I enjoyed a date night at the theater watching Beautiful- The Carole King Musical. The play covers the start of Ms. King’s career as a songwriter, including meeting and marrying her songwriting partner Gerry Goffin.

husband-wife couple holding hands in front of poster for Beautiful The Carole King Musical
My husband and I at the theater for Beautiful The Carole King Musical

Together they wrote some of the most successful and memorable songs of the 1960s-1970s including

I Feel the Earth Move 

Will you Love Me Tomorrow?

Up On The Roof 

You’ve Got a Friend 

A Natural Woman: A Memoir

Sadly, their marriage was not as successful as their careers due to his infidelity and mental instability, culminating in hospitalization and divorce.

As I watched and heard the story portrayed on stage, I remembered her memoir A Natural Woman which I reviewed here. The memoir included this part of her life as well as subsequent years, which were as turbulent as the ones in the musical.

inserts from our Carole King music CD collection
the inserts from our Carole King music CD collection

As she wrote in the book, Carole King insists she never wanted to be a star or diva, and she zealously guarded her privacy. She valued most her family, relationships, writing songs, and sharing her music. I am glad she decided to share this side of her life and the lessons it teaches.    

It's some kind of wonderful! Beautiful The Carole King Musical- poster on window at theater

 

Here is a selection of Carole King’s music

(these are affiliate links)

Tapestry  Carole King’s first and most successful album

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical  the story of Carole’s life and career

Live at the Troubadour Carole King singing with her friend James Taylor, another favorite artist of ours

The Carnegie Hall Concert (Live) June 1971 

Listen  to Carole King on Apple Music 

Exploring the HEART of Health in Music

Read my review of her memoir at the link below. Be sure you enjoy some music today, whatever makes you feel BEAUTIFUL.

A Natural Woman- Carole King shares a lifetime of music, a season of pain

Carole King’s memoir, “A Natural Woman,” delves into her remarkable life as a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter. Despite her musical success, she faced profound personal challenges, including turbulent marriages and traumatic experiences. King’s resilience and candid account offer a powerful reminder of the complexities behind public personas and the importance of seeking help in times of…

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