WE  SHALL  OVERCOME
Lyrics:  based on "I'll Overcome Someday" by  Charles A. Tindley (1900)
Melody: based on 19th century African American song "No More Auction Block,"
which itself was based on the older Catholic hymn "O Most Holy, ..."
​​

UNDER CONSTRUCTION:  Everything needs to be checked.      

​BUTTON-ACCORDION NOTATION
Beats per bar =4
Beat symbol = Period ( . ) 
Either row:  Buttons 3 to 7*
​
Verse 1 

 .5      .5    .5* .5*   .5 .4* :4      .5      .5     .5*.5*    .5 .4* :4
We  shall  o-ver   come__     We  shall  o-ver    come__ 
  
 .5      .5    .5* .6*    :6       :7*      :6*  :(5* 6* 5*)  :5
We  shall  o-ver  come some  day___________
​​
 .5* .6*      :6    .6*  .5*   ::5     :5* .5   .4*  ::4
Oh___   deep  in  my  heart   I   do  be-lieve
​  
 .5     .5      .3 .4*    :4         :3*     ::3
We  shall  o-ver  come  some  day
​
​Embedded youTube VIDEOS
Twelve videos in the keys:   B=1    A=4     C=5     D=1     G=1
Key:  B  

Tempo:  ~95 bpm

Singer:  Joan Baez

Although "B" is not a key that is commonly found on the accordions served by this site, I've included this video because of Joan Baez's incredible soprano voice, and because it is a classic performance. (Performed at the BBC Television Theatre in London on June 5th, 1965)

Posted by: John1948SevenB
Key:  A

Group:  Peter, Paul & Mary

​Posted by:  Peter, Paul & Mary - Topic
Key:  A​

​Groupf:  Angelo Kelly & Family

​Posted by:  Angelo Kelly
Key:  A   (outside row of A-D accordion)

Tempo:  ~70 bpm

Singer:  Peter Yarrow

​Posted by:  Kwan CS
Key:  A

Singers: Katleen Scheir, Guy Davis, and
​              Fabrizio Poggi

Posted by:  Jan Muylaert
Key:   C  

Tempo:  ~85 bpm

Singer:  Pete Seeger

​Posted by:  Pete Seeger - Topic
Key:  C   (inside row of G-C accordion)

Tempo:  ~100 bpm.

Group:  Summit Avenue Presbyterian
             Church, Bremerton, WA (USA)

Posted by:  Summit Ave Church
Key:  C

Singer:  ?

Posted by:  Kaila Lifferth
Key:  C  

Group:  The Brothers Four

​Posted by: The Brothers Four - Topic

​I
Key:  C  from time 0 to 3:00

Group:  The SoulSpirit Choir

Posted by:  Soul Spirit Choir Renness
Key:  D      singing from time 0:30 to End

Singer:  Bruce Springsteen

and the Seeger Sesions Band

Posted by:  eduardovidalpardo

in Springsteen's unique style
​
Key:   G  

Tempo:  ~85 bpm

Singer:  Roger Waters

Posted by:  ThinkFloyd61
Background Materials, Information & Links
​Lyrics:
Verse 2



Regrain



​Verse 2



Verse 3



​Verse 4
We shall overcome
We shall overcome
We shall overcome, some day

Oh, deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome, some day

We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand
We'll walk hand in hand, some day

We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace
We shall live in peace, some day

We are not afraid
We are not afraid
We are not afraid, TODAY

Additional verses are included by some performers:

​
Background Links:
Click HERE for additional info about this song.  (Wikipedia)

Click HERE for a brief biography of song-writer and composer Charles A Tindley, a truly outstanding African American pastor and leader.

Click HERE for a short youTube video about this historic gospel song.