Tina Turner – Workin’ Together
Today would have been my mother’s 68th birthday. She grew up in the same West Tennessee locales as Tina Turner. In fact, for a time, Turner went to my mother’s high school, Carver High in Brownsville. Turner was there for a short time, but once she became a singer, it became a mark of pride for people in Brownsville (Nutbush City Limits, where Turner was born is about 10 minutes from where my mom grew up). I remember her telling me a story of how she and some of her sisters caught a Tina Turner concert in the 1980s and actually got back stage to see her because they all went to Carver. It made sense to share a Tina Turner song today, one from her earlier days, but one that remains apt for us 45 years after it was recorded.
Tina Turner – “Workin’ Together”
Calling out to all my sisters and brothers,
Regardless of race, creed or color,
The problems of the world will never be solved,
Unless we put a little love in our hearts…
Workin’ together, we can make a change;
Workin’ together, we can help better things,
So let us put our hate aside,
And let us let love be our guide,
Let’s now try a little love for a change,
Just try a little love for a change…
People disliking one another,
Because we were born of a different color,
Many are protesting the wars across the sea,
‘Cause there are people here that are still not free…
Workin’ together, we can make a change;
Workin’ together, we can help better things,
So let us put our hate aside,
And let us let love be our guide,
Say, let’s try a little love for a change,
Let’s try a little love for a change…
Unless we get together, the world would never survive,
And the hopes for the world will surely, surely die,
People like you and me should speak up for what is right;
Only then will the world see the light…
Workin’ together, we can make a change;
Workin’ together, we can help better things,
Let us put our hate aside,
And let us let love be our guide,
Say, let’s try a little love for a change,
Let’s try a little love for a change…
The spirit behind “Workin’ Together” is the same kind of spirit my mother had, especially through her work as a public school teacher…that spirit continues to guide and inspire me in all I do.