Original subtitles

♪ Mm... ♪

♪ hello, heartbreak ♪

♪ you're at my doorstep once again ♪

♪ why me, oh, my ♪

♪ my poor heart ♪

♪ hello, heartbreak ♪

♪ I'm saying this for the last time ♪

♪ won't let you take me down this road again ♪

♪ hello, heartbreak ♪

Get off my premises with your mess. Go!

♪ Why have you left me feeling this way? ♪

♪ Dazed and confused ♪

♪ now all I can do is sing the... ♪

♪ ...blues ♪

The wash is done.

The floors scrubbed, too.

Please, aunt Duke, please don't give me the stick. Please?

Oh, I ain't

giving you the stick.

Thank you, ma'am.

But you ain't

getting baptized Sunday.

God brought me home early

to see...

...you ain't ready.

But they made my new dress so pretty.

You don't deserve that dress.

Please!

I won't let you go in that water

no dry devil

to come out a wet one.

You the devil!

When you come out that water, you got to be perfect.

God demands...

He wants your best!

You see I do the best with my gift...

To heal people who sick, feed anybody hungry,

raise children ain't even my own.

Before you baptized,

you got to decide...

What you gonna do with your gift?

I already did.

People love my singing, tell me all the time.

You seen them out there gathering to listen.

That's my gift.

And you wanna use it

whining, moaning,

singing the blues?

Ain't people's lives hard enough,

full of despair?

Halie, when you ready

to come out that water...

...you'll have a special understanding...

Your gift

will tell you how to live,

carry you anywhere you want to go,

long as you work hard enough.

You got to deserve it.

Now clean that stove.

Yes, ma'am.

Mahalia? Are you almost done?

The kitchen needs cleaning.

Yes, ma'am. I'm comin'.

♪ Oh ♪

♪ There are some things ♪

♪ I may not know ♪

♪ there are some places ♪

♪ dear lord ♪

♪ I cannot go ♪

♪ but I am sure ♪

♪ of this one thing ♪

♪ that god is real ♪

♪ for I can feel ♪

♪ him in my soul ♪

Thank you, god! Hallelujah!

♪ Yes, god is real ♪

♪ my lord ♪

♪ he's real in my soul ♪

♪ yes, god is real ♪

♪ for he has washed ♪

♪ and made me whole ♪

♪ oh ♪

♪ his love for me ♪

♪ is just like pure gold ♪

Hallelujah!

♪ My god is real ♪

♪ for I can feel... ♪

♪ Him in my soul ♪

- ♪ oh, oh, oh! ♪ - Stop!

-♪ My god is real... ♪ -Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!

That twisting, that gyrating,

get that jazz out of this church!

B-But pastor, this how we sing down south.

I sang this song the day I got baptized.

It's blasphemous.

You'll never sing that way in this church.

Blasphemous?

This was my conversion.

When I came up out the water,

god himself put those words in my mouth!

This is a church, miss Jackson.

Not a nightclub.

I only sing in god's name.

And David said, "make a joyful noise unto the lord."

Don't you read your Bible?

Excuse me, miss Jackson?

Here you go.

Four dollars.

I told the pastor he still needs to pay you for the week.

It's in the Bible.

Thank you...

Miss, uh?

Estelle. Allen.

I wish I could find the sheet music

for the way that you sing.

'Cause you're from down south, huh?

I came up here to go to school, become a nurse.

Thought I'd make a little extra, church singing,

but that don't look too possible now.

If you'd like to know how we sing in Chicago,

you should go see professor Kendricks.

He's a wonderful tenor who gives voice lessons.

How much do he cost?

Four dollars.

♪ it's me, it's me ♪

♪ it's me, o lord ♪

♪ standin' in the need of prayer ♪

♪ not my father ♪

♪ not my mother but it's me, o lord ♪

Oh...

You're familiar already with this material?

Yes, sir.

Well, good. Let's begin.

From the refrain.

♪ It's me, it's me ♪

-♪ it's me... ♪ -Slower.

Ahem.

♪ it's me, it's me ♪

Slow-er.

♪ it's me... it's me ♪

♪ it's me, o lord ♪

♪ standing in the need of prayer ♪

♪ it's me, it's me it's me, o lord ♪

♪ standing in the need of prayer ♪

Now, again...

...from the diaphragm.

With dignity.

Yes, sir.

But can I please work my way through the song a bit further?

I'm a little nervous.

Why, of course.

Ahem.

♪ It's me, it's me ♪

♪ it's me, o ♪

♪ lord ♪

♪ standin' in the need of prayer ♪

All right.

♪ It's me, it's me ♪

♪ it's me, o lord ♪

♪ standin' in the need of prayer ♪

Good, continue.

♪ not my father ♪

♪ not my mother but it's me ♪

-♪ o lord ♪ -all right, that's enough.

♪ Standin' in the need of prayer ♪

♪ not my moth... ♪

Young woman, stop that...

Yelling.

That's no way to develop a voice.

It's a discredit

to the negro race.

White people will never understand you.

If you want to have a career,

you'll have to be prepared to work a long time,

to build a dignified voice...

...that glorifies our people.

Because that voice...

Will never do.

Miss, what you crying about?

Somebody mistreat you?

Miss, whatever it is...

He ain't worth it.

God say, "don't let no man define you,

steal your joy."

Thank you.

I needed that.

I'm hungry.

Mm, yum.

This your husband?

Yeah, that's Ike.

He treats me good.

Well, miss,

I believe, one day, you gonna be famous in this world,

and walk with kings and queens.

My aunt said that to me once.

I told her, the only thing I wanna walk with

is a good pair of shoes.

Now go on, get some more cornbread.

It's open!

Now get you three another plate before all the food is gone.

Hello!

Hi, everybody.

Wow, it looks like a big family gathering.

You could say that.

Oh?

This how I grew up.

No matter how poor we were,

my aunt Duke would feed anybody that was hungry.

But I trust you got enough to eat.

Well, what's wrong, Mahalia?

I just... I just came by to see how your lesson went.

I ain't studying no high-class stuff

and I ain't singing for white people.

I'm singing in the church for god.

And I ain't got no ambition

to be some high-class society negro.

You wrong.

You think I don't know hungry?

I grew up, every morning, every night,

we was hungry.

I didn't have no aunt Duke to feed me,

so I stuck my ear to the radio,

learned to speak this way

so I could make a better kind of life.

Have a good evening, miss Jackson.

Hey, Estelle.

You like ham hocks?

No.

But I do like cornbread.

"From the diaphragm."

♪ it's me, it's me ♪

♪ it's me, o lord ♪

Okay, professor.

I can't believe you had me going to that man.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

But you know what?

You really do... you really do belong on the stage.

Only if the stage belongs to god.

What? You don't believe me?

Mm-mm.

Honey, I been tested plenty.

I had this one bandleader,

he wanted me to sing the blues so bad,

he was willing to pay me $100... a week.

How in god's name did you say no to that much money?

'Cause the "no" that I told him was in god's name.

So god told you not to sing the blues?

God say his words would give joy,

and bring others joy. Too.

Now, I could sing the blues if I wanted to,

but that ain't the life I wanna live.

I done lived way too much of the blues already,

growing up.

You remember the great flu?

When all them folks was wearin' the masks?

Mm.

Well, my aunt Duke...

...She took them in,

all the sick and suffering,

then my grandfather died,

and my mother...

Anybody singing the blues is alone and in a deep pit.

But god's word... oh!

When you sing god's music...

I just feel so much hope.

I can't stand to live with any more pain.

Happy Valentine's!

Oh, you scared me!

It ain't Valentine's day, you fool.

Oh, yeah?

Every day married to you...

It's a Valentine.

We got company, Ike.

Excuse me.

Isaac Lane Grey Hockenhull.

RotC, Tuskegee institute.

Fisk university.

From Como, Mississippi,

by way of pine bluff, Arkansas.

This is Estelle Allen.

-Hello. -Oh, yeah!

From that church that threw you out.

Pleased to meet you.

Estelle's gonna be my new piano player.

- Mm. - I...

I am?

I like Estelle!

Don't know how she got you to finally take singing lessons.

I tell Mahalia all the time, she should be an opera star.

Well, how do you and god feel about that?

Oh, hell, no.

♪ Elijah rock shout, shout ♪

♪ Elijah rock comin' up, lord ♪

♪ Elijah rock, shout, shout ♪

♪ Elijah rock comin' up, lord ♪

Amen.

♪ Elijah ♪

♪ Elijah... ♪

♪ Eli... ♪

♪ ...jah ♪

♪ Satan is a liar ♪

♪ and a conjurer, too ♪

♪ if you don't mind out ♪

♪ he'll conjure you ♪

♪ if I could ♪

♪ I surely would ♪

♪ stand on the rock where Moses stood ♪

♪ Elijah rock ♪

♪ shout, shout ♪

♪ Elijah rock comin' up, lord ♪

Amen!

♪ Elijah rock shout, shout, shout

♪ Elijah rock ♪

♪ I'm comin' up... ♪

♪ Lord ♪

-Estelle? -Yeah?

I've been waitin' to tell you.

You're pregnant?

No.

But I do pray for a big family one day,

but we need money first.

So,

Ike's mother...

She's finally selling us her cosmetic formula.

We going into business for ourselves!

Oh, halie, that's wonderful.

I got all her secrets and everything.

I think I might

start cooking up some beauty products tonight.

Mm, well, I want to be your first customer.

The magic skin cream costs a dollar.

Oh. Mm.

There you go.

Ike's so excited to start this business,

he quit his part-time job at the post office.

He did?

Oh, well, that... That could turn full-time.

That's good, steady pay.

Oh, Mahalia.

I want you to meet a student of mine,

Mildred falls.

I think she could be good for you.

Ah, she's right.

I'm almost in need of a full-time piano player.

Somebody that can come on time and keep up.

Can you keep up?

Oh. No. I'm...

Mildred's been to hear you sing many times.

She's just never introduced herself.

Well, can you get my bounce? Get my rhythm right?

I could learn.

Well, come back to me when you're confident

you can bounce.

I'm always in need of a piano player

'cause none of the good ones are too reliable.

Because some of us

can't afford to lose our regular jobs

travelin' over god's green earth with you.

Well, god will provide to those who commit

to his demands.

Now, I got to get home,

start cooking up my new wealth.

Remember, Tuesday, we got a funeral to play.

Come early.

♪ I'll bring your magic skin cream ♪

That woman...

She's hardly got a stitch to her name,

but she's a queen.

Mahalia! Mm.

Where you been, Ike?

Everything we've been waiting for...

Good pay for singing.

No nightclubs. No blues.

"Federal...

Theatre...

Project presents..."

The hot mikado!

All-negro cast, a national tour, babe.

I thought we were starting a cosmetic business together.

This is bigger!

How come you start one thing and you quick jump to another?

Selling cosmetics ain't gonna get us much further

than you hollering in them churches.

"Hollering"?

You... you could reach the heights.

We play this right,

our lives could be as big and beautiful as your voice.

I ain't no horse racing a track, okay?

Look, why can't we live a life as big as your college degree?

Maybe in a hundred years, college will do a negro good.

Until then, the post office is high as I'm able to climb.

Look.

Give this audition a try.

Tomorrow, I'll start selling cosmetics.

All we need

is a little scratch...

Get us really going, huh?

And then, we can finally start that family.

You think we ready?

Let me prove to you the best kind of man I can be.

♪ Can you hear the sound ♪

♪ coming through the sky ♪

♪ like a mighty trumpet ♪

♪ from the clouds on high ♪

♪ it's the sound of triumph ♪

♪ it's the sound of victory ♪

♪ it's the sign of hope for you and for me-e-e ♪

Ain't the auditions in there?

Well, they say there's no parts for kids,

but I figure I sing loud enough, they just gotta put me in.

Well, I figure about the same.

Yes. You're in the right place.

Oh, I wasn't so sure.

We need your name

and a telephone number where we can reach you.

That's it. They're inside.

All right. Um...

Oh. Where's your music?

Oh.

Oh, dear. They won't want to hear that.

You need some sheet music, a regular song.

There's a big sheet music store...

Lyon & Healy... at the corner of Jackson and Wabash.

Okay.

Uh, well, how much does a regular song cost?

No more than 50 cents.

Thank you, ma'am.

Mm-hmm.

Here you go, ma'am.

Mm-hmm.

You ready?

Oh. Uh...

Something wrong?

Would you prefer a different key?

No, it's... it's just

I just don't recognize the arrangement, that's all.

Have you ever sung before?

Only in church.

Great. One final try, then.

Miss?

♪ Some... ♪

Miss, are you all right?

♪ Sometimes ♪

♪ I feel ♪

♪ like a motherless child ♪

♪ sometimes I feel ♪

♪ like a motherless child ♪

♪ sometimes I.... ♪

♪ Feel ♪

♪ like a motherless child ♪

♪ a long way ♪

♪ from home ♪

Thank you.

Miss? Did you get the part? Did you?

No, I don't think so.

They ain't said nothing, they just sat there.

Oh, man!

I was hoping you could introduce me to the director.

Young man, who takes care of you?

Sometimes, my aunt, but mostly I stay at the church.

You ever eat a peppermint pickle?

"Seek the lord where he may be found

and serve him the days of your youth,

and when you grow old, he may not depart from you."

My grandfather taught me that when I was around your age,

after my mother passed.

What do you think he meant by that?

That I should be praying every day?

Yes, and serving, too.

You got to find god in all things.

I found him, miss Mahalia.

Really.

He in these peppermint pickles.

God,

this the best day of my life.

Aww.

And mine too.

Oh, good god, I love my wife.

Now, which garden did you steal these from?

From Mahalia's house of flowers.

See, one day, we gonna run all kind of businesses together.

All right. Hello there. Who are you?

Mr. John sellers, sir.

Whose boy is he?

I'm, uh, praying on that.

Isaac Lane Grey Hockenhull.

RotC, Tuskegee institute, Fisk university.

Proud husband of Mahalia Jackson,

the national stage star.

-What? -Mm-hmm.

I got the call earlier.

You got the part!

Yep. $60 a week.

They wanted to tell you at the audition,

but said you ran off.

Can you get me a job, too?

Yeah, yeah. Uh, I'm gonna work on that.

Hold on.

Ike...

I don't know.

I got this feeling today when I was on the stage like...

Like I was carrying my mother with me,

and I barely knew her, but she was there.

And then I go outside,

and I find this boy, and he's without a mother, too.

Mm-hmm.

Ike...

If I sing hot mikado,

I got to live hot mikado, too,

and-and sing about fast livin' and raisin' Cain

ain't somethin' I believe in.

But this boy,

I feel like this is god answering our prayers.

Christ, Mahalia!

I'm so damn sick of this.

Can't god answer both our prayers for once?

Not if you don't deserve it!

Not if you don't work for it.

Racing form?

So how was selling cosmetics going today?

I figured out how to use my science degree...

Studying and testing a new handicapping system.

Ain't nobody doing this in racing.

See? I'm using my degree.

Now, please, can't you see we need this?

God is showing me exactly what I need,

and if I can't make a living "hollerin'" in the church,

then I'm gonna go back to school,

open a storefront... A real business.

Come here, honey.

Please, don't give up this job.

I am gonna find you a job

and I'm gonna make you a real home.

Just make sure you do better when the time come

for you to prove...

"The best kind of man" you can be.

I got a Valentine's from Ike yesterday.

Uh-oh.

Say "even though we been apart longer than we been together,"

he still remember every minute.

He still remember all them gambling minutes, too?

Girl... I tried.

John! Where'd you park my Buick?

I didn't see you drive by.

Well, I got a good spot.

Oh, you got your license!

Congratulations, John.

Thank you, miss Estelle.

Are my tires touching the curb?

I just cleaned them whitewall tires.

They better not be touching the curb.

I can check.

Uh-uh-uh.

You think your mama

will ever let you take that car out on a date?

Won't have time.

As soon as school's out, we have the revival circuit.

When will that woman ever be satisfied for one minute?

She has a good business,

the only colored person I know that owns a whole building,

has three tenants paying rent!

When will god tell her she has enough?

Well, mama believes he already did...

...when her record with Decca flopped.

How were the whitewalls?

Fine, but the rear's out way too far.

Somebody take that corner tight, tear off my bumper.

Move the car.

Bye, John.

Bye, miss Estelle.

Why are you still doing them summer tent revivals?

Between the shop and all your engagements here,

you're actually losing money when you travel.

It's 'cause I got to reach the people.

Especially them poor folks.

You know, that tent goin' up is like Christmas for them,

and that money, well, it'll take care of itself.

So long as I can bring something to the people...

...I'm satisfied.

Yeah, all right.

Except...

I need a piano player.

Oh, lord.

Come on, I can pay your full salary now.

And when you're not playing,

you can work here, like a regular job.

You know I hate all that traveling around.

Chicago's got everything I need.

But I will keep an eye on the shop for you

while you're gone.

You know, I'm thinking about going to beauty school.

-That's nice. -Mm-hmm.

But I still need a piano player.

Halie, I already introduced you to one.

♪ Mm ♪

♪ hallelujah ♪

♪ god is good ♪

♪ oh, hallelujah ♪

♪ god is good ♪

All right, all right.

"Bounce" don't mean fast.

Mildred...

...why don't you try that again?

♪ Mm, mm ♪

Now keep your eyes on Mahalia.

No matter how many times you rehearse,

she's never gonna sing the song the same way twice.

Oh, god.

♪ Hallelujah god is good ♪

Now give her that bounce with the left.

♪ Ahh ♪

♪ ooh ♪

And with the right, you gotta talk to her.

All right.

♪ Mm, mm, mm ♪

She's got it...

...but she ain't got it yet.

Mm.

Look, I gotta get back to the salon.

You handle this.

You all right?

She can be rough.

Thought I did okay at the end.

She seemed happy.

Honey, she's never gonna be happy with your playing.

That's what you have to accept if you take the job.

I got it?

-Really? -Yes!

-You sure? -Yes.

Except, don't expect any praise.

Mahalia saves her praises for god.

Your real job...

Help her find her voice.

When does she want me to start?

She's already packed.

We're traveling?

Yeah! I think you...

I think you start in Mississippi.

Mississippi?

Oh, you don't like Mississippi?

Well, I was born down there, but I was a baby when we left.

I haven't touched the south since.

♪ Oh, my... ♪?

Come on, sing with me.

♪ Oh... ♪

♪ Lord.. ♪

♪ Sits up high ♪

♪ and looks down low ♪

♪ lord, I know... ♪

Why we stopping?

Oh, go! Go, go, go!

We need gas.

Well, let me do all the talking.

How ya doin', sir?

Y'all from Chicago?

Yeah.

Sorry, sir. Poor boy.

He tired,

and we been driving for a long time.

We just poor missionaries

on our way to sing in a poor little ol' church.

We'd be forever grateful if we could

just buy us, uh... A little bit of gasoline.

Will you help us do the lord's work, sir?

You should know... "Esso".

Esso.

Every summer we down here, we only stop at an Esso station.

Get that through your big head!

I didn't want to wake you.

Well, hell, I'm woke.

You sure ain't no southern girl.

No, I'm not.

You see how I got to talk to the white folks

like I ain't got no sense.

I understand why you did that.

There's a lot that you're gonna learn, Mildred.

For one, when we get down to our "little ol' church..."

Shoot, you gon' see

what the holy spirit is all about.

Clarksdale, Mississippi!

We're so glad to start our revival with you here!

And the way I see it is,

I don't care if a man is a gambler or a thief...

...a wino or a murderer.

That's right!

Every man and every woman has got to believe in something.

-Something they can look up to. -Amen!

We got to learn to show kindness to others,

especially to those...

...Who don't believe

in feeling.

That's right!

What can we do but help each other?

-Yeah! -God don't need

nothing from us but to love each other,

and to help each other. Amen!

-Amen! -We all his children! Hey!

We all his children!

Amen!

♪ Ohh... come on, children ♪

♪ sing ♪

♪ about the goodness of the lord ♪

♪ come on, children ♪

♪ shout ♪

♪ all about god's great reward ♪

♪ guide our footsteps every day ♪

♪ keep us walking in the narrow way ♪

♪ come on, children let's sing ♪

♪ come on, children let's shout ♪

♪ come on, children let's sing ♪

♪ about the goodness of the lord ♪

♪ he ♪

♪ has been ♪

♪ my all and all ♪

♪ and he, my lord ♪

♪ will never, mm, mm ♪

♪ let me ♪

♪ fall ♪

♪ that is why I can sing ♪

♪ that is why I can shout ♪

♪ because I know what it's all about ♪

♪ the good ♪

♪ goodness of the lord ♪

♪ my lord, o lord ♪

♪ mm ♪

♪ hey ♪

♪ I feel him in my spirit ♪

♪ do you feel him in your spirit? ♪

♪ Ohh ♪

Whoo!

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ oh ♪

Whoo!

Ain't this good, y'all?

God is so good!

Didn't he wake up this morning?

Didn't he put food on your table?

And clothes on your back?

I can walk. I can walk!

Great god almighty! Praise the lord!

I can walk and you did it!

It's the singing!

That wasn't me.

He ain't walked in 20 years!

You healed him!

No, no, no. That was god!

The power of god!

It ain't me. That ain't me, sir!

I can see!

Don't you feel him? In your spirit? Whoo!

Come on, mama.

Mama, it's all right.

You healed me!

I did not heal that man.

No, mama, I don't understand, but it was... it was the singing.

It was god!

It was the music that made the miracle.

God was moving through me.

Ooh, and Mildred.

Did you feel that?

I pray to make another record

like I pray to find another husband,

but every time I come close to either,

god chooses a different prayer to answer.

Well, we may not be as big and powerful

as, say, Columbia records,

but once you sign,

we stay loyal to our artists.

I believe Apollo records is the perfect home for you...

To feel comfortable, to branch out.

"Branch out"?

You see the variety of artists we record?

I think you'd be wonderful.

I think you could really sing the hell out of the blues.

What negro can't sing the hell outta the blues?

That's what life's been for most of us.

See, Mrs. Berman,

I'm so tired of getting so close to making a record

only to find out

that people want me to sing some other kinda way.

Now, people don't understand,

that pain that you hear in the blues,

it ain't got nowhere to go once it's inside you.

The blues can't guide you how to live,

like gospel.

Now, gospel, that's the cure for the blues.

I love your voice,

but I still got a bottom line.

Tell you what.

I can give ya... Two hours of studio time.

Two hours?

That's my best offer.

Gospel music,

my people.

Fine.

Do we have a deal?

Now, let's clarify these two hours.

You mean two hours

from the time the man push the button,

two hours recording, right?

Yes, miss Jackson.

You'll have a full two hours.

♪ I'm gonna move on up a little higher ♪

♪ I'm gonna meet Abraham and Isaac ♪

♪ yes ♪

♪ I'm gonna move on up a little higher ♪

♪ I'm gonna meet the prophet Daniel ♪

♪ oh, I'm gonna move on up a little higher ♪

♪ I'm gonna meet the Hebrew children... ♪

Oh, oh, uh-uh-uh-uh! What you got the light on?

I did not say push the button yet!

Lady, I can't be here all night.

Well, Mrs. Berman, you said two hours...

You didn't say which two hours.

Mahalia.

We've been here all day. You made your point.

I'm not trying to make no point, all right?

I'm just trying to rehearse so that we get it perfect.

That's it.

When's the next booking?

Tomorrow, 10:00 A.M.

We'll be done by then.

Why you so quiet?

It's so good to meet you, miss Jackson. I am...

I know who you are.

Well, I'm honored.

They got you here to watch all the colored folks,

but let me tell you something,

you need to watch them... Make sure they don't

-gyp me on my time. -Oh, I-I don't work for...

All right.

Now, Mildred.

I know they trying to make you move faster,

but you don't worry about none of that,

you take your time, all right?

You don't need none of this.

You got to feel this in your heart and in your body.

Now, if you ever feel lost,

you just keep your eyes on me... Always keep your eyes on me,

'cause we ain't gonna get another chance like this again.

All right.

♪ Oh, I'm gonna move on up... ♪

♪ Yes! I'm gonna move on up a little higher ♪

You playin' all right,

but you playin' like a kindergartener.

Why do you keep putting this in your hand?

I said you gotta play from your gut and your heart!

♪ ...a little higher, huh! ♪

♪ I'm gonna meet the Lily of the valley ♪

♪ 'twill be always "howdy, howdy" ♪

♪ 'twill be always ♪

♪ "howdy, howdy" ♪

♪ 'twill be always ♪

♪ "howdy, howdy" and never "goodbye" ♪

♪ oh! ♪

♪ Mm! ♪

Ahem.

Uh, excuse me, ma'am?

Excuse me.

Miss Jackson ready for the man to, uh, press the button now.

Something else...

What now?

You got my up-front money?

Mm-hmm.

In cash?

Then let's make a record.

Here you go, brother.

Get you some breakfast.

See? We out by 10:00 A.M.

And they say colored folks can't be on time.

I hope Mrs. Berman don't fire you.

Oh, I don't think anyone could keep the job

of handling you, miss Jackson.

I don't even know your name.

Reverend Russell Roberts.

Reverend? Oh, I'm too tired for fooling.

Shiloh baptist church, Atlantic city.

One of my parishioners records with Apollo.

I've heard about you

on the revival circuit for years,

wanted to hear you sing for myself.

Oh, lord, you're serious?

So when will your record come out?

Whenever Mrs. Berman decide, if she decide.

It may never come out.

Your business is tough.

So is yours, reverend.

Russell.

Well, I truly don't know what will come of this

other than none of us got any sleep.

Nine years ago, I cut my first record and...

...only place it hit was the graveyard.

If you read the liturgy closely,

you'll find reference throughout the Bible,

that faith requires...

Look, you don't have to school me on the word...

I know my Bible,

even thought I didn't get to finish school.

Most of my thoughts are unlearned, but I, um...

Then to put it plainly...

"To she who knocks, it will open."

My calling often brings me to Chicago.

Well, clearly, I ain't hard to find, reverend.

Come on, Mildred.

Lord knows, if I wasn't baptized,

I'd let that man ♪ dip me in the water ♪

Again and again.

Girl, get the phone, it might be John.

That boy ain't called me in over a week.

Hello! Mahalia's beauty salon.

Is it John?

Hi, Estelle! How you doin'?

What...? Wait, uh, uh... What's that station again?

What you runnin' for?

♪ the Lily of the valley... ♪

Mildred.

Mahalia...

It's us.

What gospel show that on?

No, no, no. It's some white man's show!

Some white man's show?

Mildred! That's you playin'!

Yeah! That's you singing!

Since I heard this song the other day,

I can't stop playing it.

It's from a woman on the south side

with a golden voice.

Her name is Mahalia Jackson,

and if she were singing the blues,

she'd be another Bessie Smith.

What she sings is called "gospel".

I am not a religious man,

but I pray people buy this record.

Thank you! Thank you!

You said in your word

you would never leave me nor forsake me.

♪ oh... ♪

That was Chicago's own Mahalia Jackson.

Before this song became a hit,

the holy grail of gospel sales was 100,000 records,

but since the release of "move on up a little higher"

two years ago,

it has sold over two million copies.

Now, tell us something we don't know about you.

Um...

"Mahalia" was the name of one of my aunts.

She was a girl of the slave days,

and she dreamed of jubilee

and better days to come.

My mother gave me her name.

And by "jubilee", you mean gospel?

Uh... jubilee is a burst of freedom,

and that's what I feel when I sing.

I, for one,

cannot wait for you to deliver this glorious jubilee

to the cultural elite of Carnegie hall.

I don't believe my type of songs

belong there, Mr. Terkel.

-You can call me "studs". -What do you mean?

Don't you got a real name?

That's the one I'm stuck with, it's as real as it gets.

But how real...

Is this news release?

It don't matter what I said, it matter what I sign,

and I didn't sign no contract for no Carnegie hall.

Well, stop the press releases.

I-I don't wanna hear nothing else

about Carnegie hall!

I'd love to hear you sing at Carnegie hall.

I thought you hated traveling.

I'd travel for that.

I think we should do that concert.

I ain't studying no Carnegie hall.

Now I got to get to the grocery store,

'cause Russell is in town tonight,

and I'm gonna cook him up some gumbo.

Again?

Look, I'm tired of you

screwing up your face every time I talk about the man.

It's been three years. You don't get no vote!

I just don't think he's for you.

Why? You don't think I deserve a good, educated preacherman?

It's how you act.

Act?

You bend a little too much.

What're you getting at now?

In his presence, you lower yourself.

That's where you're wrong,

'cause I don't stoop for nobody but god, and I...

Oh, god.

Oh!

Halie?

Oh...

Halie!

Oh...

I'm all right.

Go back to work! I'm fine.

Oh! Oh, no.

Shoot!

Oh, lord.

Please, please...

Can I help?

Can you cook?

As well as I can sing.

♪ amazing grace ♪

Oh, now you making my ears hurt.

Dinner gonna be late.

Oh, this isn't like you.

How you know what I'm like? You don't see me every day.

I've had enough of your cooking

to know this burnin' up the kitchen

means something is wrong.

Well, they want me to sing at Carnegie hall!

Oh!

Mahalia Jackson stepping into the "magic circle"!

I don't belong in no Carnegie hall.

Who do you think I am?

♪ victory... ♪

Now, see? You laugh.

Look, Duke Ellington's played there.

That's because he's class.

Baby.

Russell, I'm scared.

I ain't no trained opera singer.

I don't belong there.

Now, I ain't good enough.

I ain't sophisticated, I ain't educated, I don't...

And what the heck is the "magic circle"?

Mahalia Jackson,

you are the smartest,

the strongest of faith god ever put on this planet.

All you need

is take one seed of what you give others,

plant it in yourself.

God, why did you put me

at Carnegie hall?

Lord, please...

Please let Mildred be able to play tonight.

You know I'm not used to singing with any other piano players.

What am I gonna do?

Halie,

Mildred says she's able to play.

You have to trust her.

It was just food poisoning. She's-she's...

She's better now.

Mildred knows my arrangements like the back of her hand.

Today,

when we was rehearsing,

up on that stage without her...

It was like I opened my mouth and god just took away my gift.

I sounded like a bird!

A little bird!

Well...

If I'm gonna flop, then...

...I'm gonna flop big.

Mm...

I'm comin'.

Mildred? Come on in here, now.

♪ amazing... grace ♪

Oh...

Mm!

Oh, what is this?

This ain't a funeral.

Baby, it's supposed to represent the magic circle.

They say that's what it feels like

when you step on the stage at Carnegie hall.

Lord knows,

I need all the magic god can give me tonight.

Oh, put it down, I want you to meet my boy, John.

He alls himself "brother John" and he sings

folk music and blues at the Apollo theatre.

It's good to meet you, sir.

You too.

And this is my good friend, Estelle.

Hi.

She owns my beauty shop.

The only thing is she don't know she own it yet.

Halie...

The shop's always been something for me to lean on,

but now it seems like it's leaning on me.

I... I can't accept such a gift.

Why does everybody think

I'm just giving all the time?

I didn't ask to buy it.

I-I can't afford it.

Well, give me a dollar. Can you afford that?

Thank you.

John?

Go tell the promoter to bring up the rest of my money in cash.

It's Carnegie hall, mama.

I got to take me wherever I go.

Okay.

No, I got it.

♪ how I got over ♪

♪ how did I make it over ♪

♪ you know my soul looks back in wonder ♪

♪ how did I make it over? ♪

♪ tell me how I got over ♪

♪ how did I make it over? ♪

♪ you know my soul ♪

♪ looks back and wonders ♪

♪ how did I make it over? ♪

♪ Mm ♪

♪ soon as I can see Jesus ♪

♪ the man ♪

♪ that died for me ♪

♪ man that bled and suffered ♪

♪ oh! Hung on Calvary ♪

♪ and I wanna thank him ♪

♪ for how he brought me ♪

♪ and I wanna thank god ♪

♪ for how he taught me ♪

♪ oh! ♪

♪ Thank my god how he kept me ♪

♪ oh-ho, thank him ♪

♪ he never left me ♪

♪ and I'm gonna ♪

♪ thank him for old-time religion ♪

♪ oh! I'm gonna thank god for giving me a vision ♪

♪ oh, I'm gonna join the heavenly choir ♪

♪ and I'm gonna sing and never get tired ♪

♪ and I'm gonna sing ♪

♪ somewhere 'round the altar ♪

♪ oh, I'm gonna shout ♪

♪ all my troubles over ♪

♪ lord, I'm gonna thank you ♪

♪ thank you for being so good to me ♪

♪ yeah ♪

♪ how I made it over ♪

♪ had a mighty hard ti-i-i-ime ♪

♪ you know my soul looks back in wonder ♪

♪ how'd I make it over? ♪

♪ Mm, mm, mm ♪

♪ Comin' from the north south, east, and west ♪

♪ the only way to the land of rest ♪

♪ and I'm gonna join the heavenly choir ♪

♪ and I'm gonna sing and never get tired ♪

♪ and I'm gonna sing somewhere 'round the altar ♪

♪ oh! I'm gonna shout all my troubles over ♪

♪ lord, I'm gonna thank ya ♪

♪ thank you for being so good to me, mm ♪

♪ well ♪

♪ I wanna thank you at this moment ♪

♪ oh, I'm gonna thank you at this moment ♪

♪ you said touch ♪

♪ In my name ♪

♪ you said touch ♪

♪ in my name ♪

♪ oh, I feel ♪

♪ I feel like running ♪

♪ oh, I feel ♪

♪ I feel like running ♪

♪ lord, I feel ♪

♪ I feel like running ♪

♪ I feel I feel like runnin' ♪

♪ lord, I wanna thank you ♪

♪ thank you for bein' ♪

♪ so ♪

♪ good to ♪

♪ me, yeah ♪

Sister Jackson, you are truly a living legend in your time.

Incredible. Broke attendance.

Columbia records wants to make you an offer.

Where's Mildred?

We worked hard for the lord tonight.

Can you get my slippers?

Mama, that was the most beautiful performance.

Thank you.

I am so proud of you.

When's your next record coming out?

I'm certain that Carnegie hall is gonna want you back.

We'll see.

All right, thank you, everybody,

but miss Jackson needs her rest.

What's going on?

You're bleeding.

We need to get you off your feet.

Can we get an interview?

Thank you. Have a good night.

Excuse me.

Go on, now. Thank you.

Thank you all for coming. Have a good night.

Let's just get you to the room, okay?

Oh, my g...

Hoo.

Help me up. Help me up.

I ain't goin' to no doctor.

Lord, I keep praying

not to have all this anger in my heart,

but it's so hard.

Why god? Why?

God's not the only one here for you.

I wish you'd believe in me, too.

Russell, please!

Now, you can tell the newspapers that it's bronchitis,

but I know this is not bronchitis.

Come on, now.

Tell me what happened.

I hate doctors.

That's a strong word, baby.

I know,

but see, with doctors,

we like experiments to them.

They don't care about a colored woman's health

unless it's to teach 'em how to fix up white folks.

I had this one doctor...

He all right,

he's some kind of specialist or something...

And he, uh, he got in a fight with one of the other doctors

and took over my case,

and he said that I have something called sarcoidosis.

Is that...

No, no. It is not cancer.

But I had these fibroids on my lymph nodes

that were removed,

and I had tumors, too.

And, uh...

They, uh...

...they took my insides out.

They took...

Y-You had a hysterectomy?

And I feel...

Like everything that make me a woman is gone.

Empty.

Broke, in a way that can't be fixed.

I feel this...

Burning in my heart...

I'm so sorry.

I got all these questions, you know, like,

why me?

Why can't I carry a child like I've always hoped for?

Why the one... One doctor that I trust

let this happen to me?

It's like he took away this opportunity

for us to have a family.

We will get through this.

All I want is you.

Family begins with you...

However, and whatever, that looks like.

So come on...

Step into the magic circle with me.

Now...

When are you gonna let me carry you over that stoop?

Ouch.

Ah, don't make me laugh.

Russell, you the one thing I can decide on

that I don't have to pray on.

Dear lord,

you said be strong and let your heart take courage.

Well, I've been praying over this contract,

and you either want me to sign this

or convert to being a lawyer.

Are you opening a new gate...

Like in the Bible?

"Behold, I'm doing a new thing..."

...or is this really a deal with the CBS devil?

Is that one of the new songs from Columbia?

Yep!

They confident she gonna sign.

I don't know,

it sounds different than her other material.

It's too pop.

It's a "sweetened water" song.

If she sings this,

I'll have to fight to find its salvation.

I'm gonna have them

put it in here that I ain't doing no radio show

unless you the writer,

studs.

Now, CBS said you on the blacklist?

Well, hell, I'm on the "blacklist" too.

I'm afraid you're mixing with an agitator.

But you do the show no matter what.

You don't worry about me.

Well, I ain't.

I'm worried about being

in millions of white folks' living rooms by myself.

I need you!

I'd follow you anywhere...

As long as you don't try to redeem me.

Ooh! If I could get you saved, we'd be all right!

She's been playing one of those new "sweetened-water songs."

John.

Don't tell the man all our secrets.

Now, if you want some sweet water.

Uh, no, thanks, Mahalia.

I don't like that southern tea.

I ain't getting you tea!

I take it you don't want her to sign.

Columbia don't know our music.

Mama will lose the audience that brought her up.

They'll wanna add symphonies and big bands.

And probably, first thing, they'll fire Mildred.

Ain't nobody ask you about no Columbia records.

And ain't nobody gonna fire Mildred.

Here you go, studs.

Oh!

I-I didn't think you drank whiskey.

I ain't gonna say if I do or if I don't,

but there will always be a bottle in my home

for you, studs.

Without you,

I would've sold a couple million less records,

and Mildred'd still be poor.

Don't give her none.

So, if we gon' do this, how's it gonna work?

I figure it will go like our other interviews,

only more in-depth.

I'll ask questions about

the background of the songs, or where they come from.

-Mm-hmm. -We'll do an episode

on your relationship with Thomas Dorsey, of course.

And one of you growing up in New Orleans,

and another about your travels in the south.

So you want me to say...

...how, when I go up

in a department store in the south,

how I can't get a sandwich,

or a bottle of pop?

How I can't even get a cab,

or when I'm driving in a nice car,

how I got to play the "mammy" when the police pull me over,

call me a "nigger woman," and shake me down for my money?

That's what you want?

You want me to air the truth, right?

I do, Mahalia.

But...

I know, baby.

We both blacklisted.

Only difference...

I can't never get off that list.

CBS is very proud to bring you,

live from our studio in Chicago,

the Mahalia Jackson show.

♪ I sing ♪

♪ because ♪

Imagine...

♪ I'm happy ♪

...there's millions of people listening.

Millions.

Listening to our halie.

Mama's like the loaves and the fishes...

Splitting herself into a million pieces,

trying to feed everybody.

♪ Oh... ♪

But I wonder, once...

Once this miracle is over...

...what's gonna be left of Mahalia Jackson?

Ike came by last night.

What, to give you a Valentine?

To see the new house.

How much you "loan" him this time?

I know.

I know the man ain't never gonna me back,

but I gotta keep giving anyway.

God made the marriage.

We supposed to be together for a lifetime of somethin'.

Now, Ike...

Ike ain't no partner, like Russell.

We supposed to build a temple together.

Well, I do hope you and Russell find time to get married,

as crazy and busy as your life is getting.

Halie?

What's on your mind?

It's like the people either love me or hate me.

And they feel so strong,

it's overwhelming.

Like, I get all this fan mail,

then I got a letter and it said,

"please don't be a Beulah.

For the sake of our race,

talk as intelligent as you sing."

Mm-hmm.

Then all these white folks, they come to my concerts,

and they tell me how wonderful I am,

then they get mad when I buy a home in their neighborhood,

and shoot out my picture window.

I told you not to move to Chatham village.

Isn't a dream home supposed to be wherever you dream?

Did you get that window fixed?

I got that repairman to put up something else, too.

"Dear lord, in this house, you are wanted

and welcome."

Now, that's for god's protection.

Don't you think an armed guard would be better?

I got one of them, too, thanks to mayor Daley.

Well, who's gonna get close enough to see this plaque?

Oh, the people,

they gather out here sometimes

while I'm rehearsing inside.

It reminds me of when I was a little girl,

singing with them Victrola records,

and all the people

would gather outside my aunt's to hear me sing.

Are you ever gonna sing some Bessie Smith for me?

Oh, now, studs, if you my true friend,

you don't ever want me to get to where I got to sing the blues.

♪ o holy night... ♪

I love the house.

I am so happy for you.

But three Christmas trees?

Yeah.

One for the father, the son, and the holy spirit.

I figure,

why not give 'em all their own tree?

I can't take this, Mahalia.

Yes, you can.

If it fits.

How can I represent the people, looking this fancy?

Speaking of representing the people...

I got a call the other night on behalf of a young reverend...

Martin Luther King.

Says he wants me to sing at one of his rallies

for his bus boycott,

asked me my fee.

You heard of him?

'Course I heard of him.

What you think?

What'd you say your fee was?

Aw, hell, studs.

You know I don't charge the walkin' people.

You be careful.

They play rough down there.

The Bible tells us

we are made of both

a natural body and a spiritual body.

-Mm-hmm. -And I believe,

sister Mahalia, that through your voice,

you are able to connect the natural and the spiritual

in a way that people need today.

Well, thank you, Dr. King,

but people need food more than they need singin'.

Mahalia's always cooking up food for people.

Well, I hope for the opportunity

to taste Mahalia's cooking one day.

Mm, that's right...

Get a person's stomach full,

then you can talk about salvation.

I apologize, Dr. King.

I'm a little nervous.

Mildred don't like coming down to the south.

Dr. Abernathy told us

how they bombed that church near his house last week.

I guess...

They assumed it was his church,

but they bombed the Methodists instead.

Oh, lord.

I don't know if you been drinking lately,

but your playing been slipping.

I'm starting to feel all alone, up there singing,

like I don't know who you are.

And I got a lot on my mind,

'cause, with Russell, getting all these medical tests,

tsk, I don't know what's going on.

Even though I know you don't like the man.

It's not that I don't like the man.

It's how you act around him.

You shouldn't believe that you're inferior to any man.

That's why I left my husband...

Never felt like I was good enough for him.

Hold on. You were married?

To a preacher.

I was still married when I started playing for you.

Why wouldn't you tell me that?

Didn't want you to know

that I had any other concerns in my life.

You kept getting rid of piano players

for being too unreliable.

So are you saying I ended your marriage?

No.

Being a preacherman's wife ended my marriage.

I'm embarrassed

you came back after singing like that tonight,

and started cooking.

Well, Coretta didn't give up her kitchen easy.

Oh, I believe this pie's nearly as great as your voice.

Mm.

Dr. King...

Please.

My Christian name.

Martin...

How do we hold on to faith

when times are so bad?

Mahalia...

...faith is something you can't hold or keep.

The things most important to us are invisible...

Freedom,

hope,

love, god...

...they're all ideas based on faith.

Living requires faith,

whether you accept it or not.

So the big question we all face

is not whether to believe or not,

but what to believe.

So, if god is personal,

we each alone in our faith?

Well...

Like your sweet potato pie...

It's going to taste different to each of us,

but it's something there for all to share.

God made enough for everybody.

Mm.

I always dreamed of one day building my own temple...

A place of learning.

Mm.

Because I always believed

that everybody deserves a chance at an education.

That's a beautiful dream, Mahalia.

My aunt Duke took me outta school

in the fourth grade...

So I never felt like I got to study

or learn how to read music.

Well, maybe god doesn't know how to read music either.

Back from her world tour,

please welcome the queen of gospel,

Grammy-winner Mahalia Jackson!

You make me feel like a star!

It's midnight...

And it's raining...

But it's Sunday mornin'

and we gonna have church!

♪ Didn't it rain children? ♪

♪ I'm talkin' 'bout rain oh, my lord ♪

♪ didn't it ♪

♪ didn't it, didn't it oh, oh, my lord ♪

♪ didn't it rain? ♪

♪ Didn't it rain, children? ♪

♪ I'm talkin' 'bout rain oh, my lord ♪

♪ didn't it, didn't it, ♪

♪ didn't it, oh, oh, my lord ♪

♪ didn't it rain? ♪

♪ Well ♪

♪ it rained 40 days 40 nights ♪

♪ without stoppin' ♪

♪ Noah was glad when the rain stopped droppin' ♪

♪ knock at the window a knock at the door ♪

♪ crying, "brother Noah can't you take no more?" ♪

♪ no, crying, no no, you're full of sin ♪

♪ god got to keep and you can't get in ♪

♪ just listen that rainin' ♪

♪ will you listen that rainin'? ♪

♪ Just listen that rainin' ♪

♪ all day, all night ♪

♪ all night, all day ♪

♪ just listen ♪

♪ it's rainin' ♪

♪ just listen it's raining ♪

♪ will you listen? It's raining ♪

♪ some moanin' some groanin' ♪

♪ some groaning some praying ♪

♪ well, ohh... ♪

♪ Didn't it rain, children? ♪

♪ Rain all night long? ♪

♪ Didn't it, didn't it ♪

♪ didn't it oh, oh, my lord ♪

♪ didn't it rain? ♪

My lord!

My, my.

Look at the rain!

Now it's stopped.

"To many, Mahalia Jackson's appearance

eclipsed all other performances that night.

Hers was the set

that made everyone stop

and catch their breath."

Now that's too much.

And this... "Miss Jackson's bursts of power

and sudden rhythmic drives

build to a pitch

that leaves you unprepared to listen afterwards

to any but the greatest of musicians."

There's more?

Oh, yeah.

"Mahalia Jackson has a rapturous quality

unparalleled on records.

The accompaniment hardly counts, so..."

"The accompaniment hardly counts?"

Wait.

Read here.

"Mildred falls,

the supreme gospel pianist..."

How do you like that, miss Jackson?

Well, you still got me to please.

Hello? Mahalia's big wig salon.

Oh, you think that's funny?

Mama.

If you don't stop singing in them clubs,

I'm gonna stop putting you on my program.

And miss Mildred need to stop with her poor taste.

She a reflection of me.

Mama, you are getting too high.

How I'm "getting too high"?

Mahalia?

Did you know this was bone cancer?

I thought it was bronchitis.

Why would you keep this from me?

Mahalia. Mahalia, I'm joking.

As soon as I found out, I told them to call you.

Well, when you start treatment?

My god.

They say, at this stage, the chemo would kill me faster.

Look, my aunt Duke had remedies,

like herbs, liquids, powders... We can try it all.

I done seen miracles happen.

I have, too.

Like when we first met...

Up all night in that recording studio,

and all the people that song reached?

But more than your voice, I love your spirit.

How you know about life in ways most people can't see.

I'm scared I'm gonna lose that.

Russell, you helped me more than god

when I was up in the hospital,

and I ain't never relied on anybody like... like that before.

Hold on there.

You all right.

Breathe.

You all right, baby. You all right.

You know, my prayers...

They're feeling more like wishes now.

I used to pray...

That we'd...

Build a family together,

have little Mahalias and Russells

just running around.

Would've been beautiful.

You know...

I could be the one to carry you across that stoop.

You know I could!

I know you could.

♪ I've... ♪

♪ Been ♪

♪ 'buked ♪

♪ and I've ♪

♪ been scorned ♪

♪ and I've ♪

♪ been ♪

♪ 'buked ♪

♪ and I've been scorned ♪

♪ I've... ♪

♪ Been 'buked ♪

♪ I've ♪

♪ been talked about ♪

♪ sure ♪

♪ you're born, mm... ♪

Tell 'em about the dream, Martin!

Tell 'em about the dream.

Go on! Tell 'em!

Come on now, Mildred!

You off again.

Golly!

What you doing to my voice?

I got to go home. I'm...

I'm tired.

I'm tired, too, but we got to rehearse. Come on.

I know you...

I know pushing hard, and this your way of mourning.

I'm so sorry about Russell, I truly am.

But I can't work any more tonight.

We don't get this right,

I ain't putting you on television

in them cheap-ass cotton dresses.

There! I said it.

I don't like how you letting yourself go.

Night, Mahalia.

This got to do with that extra $100 a week, don't it?

That's why you ain't working hard.

Look, now, it ain't my fault

you don't know how to manage your money.

Well, it's a sickness!

And that drinking, too.

Yeah, I'm drinking.

I ain't perfect either.

But the reason I can't get my money straight

is 'cause you too much in charge.

Why do all my checks go to you?

What you getting at?

How come everybody pay you my money,

and then you pay me?

Why I ain't paid directly?

I hire you!

You my piano player. I ain't your singer.

You been paying me the same money

the past five years

while your fees, they just keep growing bigger,

bigger than your wigs!

Now you countin' my pockets.

You slipping.

I don't even recognize who you are anymore.

That's 'cause you're not looking at me...

You always think about yourself first.

How could you even fix your mouth

to say somethin' like that?

All the people I feed?

All the scholarships that I raise money for?

What would you be without me?

Real reason I'm never good enough,

the reason nobody is ever good enough

is 'cause you don't feel good enough yourself.

Get out.

Go on. Get out.

I can have any piano player I want in the world.

I'm Mahalia Jackson.

And I don't need no Mildred falls!

You want perfect but you sure don't give it.

Ain't nobody perfect!

God accepts our imperfections!

Why can't you, "Mahalia Jackson"?

Mildred.

Mildred, hey...

Oh, god...

Oh, god.

Where you at?

Oh...

Ohh...

Hello...

...heartbreak.

I'm saying this for the last time.

♪ don't ♪

♪ won't let you let me down that road again ♪

♪ hello, heartbreak ♪

♪ why have you left me ♪

♪ feeling this way? ♪

♪ Dazed and confused ♪

♪ ♪ Now all I can do is sing... ♪

...sing the blues.

The wedding

of gospel singer Mahalia Jackson

to salesman-musician minters Galloway

came as a complete surprise.

She has sung before queens and presidents,

stunned musicologists,

overflowed such world-renowned music halls

as the state opera in Vienna

and Albert hall in London,

and five times faced a standing-room only audience

in Carnegie hall.

How is my wife feeling today?

Married.

I love you, too.

I'll toast to that.

It's new year's Eve. Can't we serve more than punch?

I'm gonna punch you if you say another word.

I'm kinda thirsty.

Would anybody else like a real drink?

I'll take one.

Did you kiss Martin goodbye?

I'm gonna kiss you goodbye

the next time you embarrass me like that.

Now, what you need to go get that beer for?

Well, I can drink in my own house.

Your house?

Woman,

is this not my house?

Of course, it is, dear,

but ministers should only be served coffee.

Come on, baby.

This is Chicago, not some backwoods town.

Most of those ministers drink and you know it.

You disrespectful.

So, if I'm gonna drink in my house,

then I'm gonna need to offer it,

otherwise what sort of manners would that be?

Mahalia?

Stop messing around.

Mahalia?

Hey, Martin.

I'm in town for the day, Mr. Galloway.

I've come to see Mahalia.

She's not feeling well.

That's why I've come.

She needs her rest, reverend king.

Son, open the door.

I'm going to see Mahalia now.

It's...

Easier when we have the devil to point to,

like the devil bull Connor

with his police and their dogs,

but now the work's getting harder.

The hate against us is still there,

but it's more hidden.

It's not the devil outside but the devil within I fear.

That's where I struggle.

It's where I struggle, too, Martin.

Except for your visits...

I feel so alone.

It don't even feel like god's listening anymore.

My boy, John, won't speak to me, says I've gotten too high.

Minters says I've gotten too low,

too selfish.

He wants my temple money

to build a hotel.

I don't know what to do.

That man gives you so little for all the big taking he does.

He may look like Russell,

but he ain't nothing like Russell.

He do look like him, don't he?

People been saying that,

but when you say it, it feel so true.

Oh, lord...

What have I done?

It's like I've been so busy spreading the gospel,

I done forgot how to live it.

Mm.

Russell...

I shoulda married him,

had a couple of good years together.

But you did.

You had the love you were supposed to,

but now you gotta ask if you've strayed.

No, I pray every day. I've never stopped praying.

But Mahalia, are you listening?

Can you still hear what he say?

I don't know...

The first time god spoke,

when I came up out that water,

the joy in my faith ain't never been greater.

It's that feeling that you know.

That you know, that you know.

That you know, 100% in your body.

I don't tell people this,

but I was once driving home to Atlanta

when god spoke,

and I found myself, for two hours,

floating up above the road,

hovering up over everything.

Did you feel his voice?

Like, um...

Like a burning bush?

You know. You understand.

One night, in Mississippi,

god healed a man through my music.

I mean, the man just jumped up out of his wheelchair.

-It happened. -I believe you.

God's always talking to all of us, but it's...

So hard to listen.

How are you doing, baby?

I've missed you.

When I come beside you,

I don't feel

the dread I feel every other day of my life.

What's troubling you?

I get this feeling

god wants something from me,

and I don't know if I have the strength to give it.

I just want to go home.

But I don't know where that is anymore.

If I go before you...

...will you sing our song at the funeral?

Don't you dare leave me here by myself.

You will never be alone when you use your gift right.

Sing it for me now?

Only if you sing it with me.

♪ Prec... ♪

♪ ...Ious lord ♪

♪ take my hand ♪

♪ lead me on, oh ♪

♪ let me stand ♪

♪ I'm tired ♪

♪ Lord knows I'm weak ♪

♪ and I am worn ♪

♪ through the storm ♪

♪ through ♪

♪ through the night ♪

♪ lord, take my hand lord ♪

♪ guide me to the light ♪

♪ take ♪

♪ take my hand ♪

The reverend Dr. Martin Luther King,

39 years old...

♪ Precious lord ♪

...of the non-violent civil rights movement

in the United States

was assassinated in Memphis tonight.

♪ When my way ♪

♪ grows drear ♪

♪ precious lord ♪

♪ I need you to linger linger near ♪

♪ when my life ♪

♪ is almost gone ♪

♪ hear my cry ♪

♪ ooh ♪

♪ hear my call ♪

♪ Hold my hand ♪

♪ lord, lest I fall ♪

♪ take my hand ♪

♪ precious lord ♪

♪ and lead ♪

♪ lord, lord, lord ♪

♪ lead me home ♪

For my main man...

James Baldwin, Dinah shore, Jesse Jackson...

They're all turning up

for your comeback celebration tomorrow.

I ain't been nowhere, but...

Sick, broke,

and divorced...

Again.

I see you was in the paper this morning,

being interviewed, instead of the other way around.

Everybody thinks I discovered you,

and to tell you the truth, for some stupid moments,

I believed them, too.

So you finally believe?

You understand

that only god discovered me?

No.

I mean the people on the south side,

especially the ones

in that little storefront church where you started out.

They're the real people that discovered you.

Don't start worshipping me.

You gotta put your faith in god.

You're the truest person I know.

I ain't perfect.

I got my demons.

Yes, Mahalia. We all do.

But you never quit fighting for yours,

you never quit trying to live up to your beliefs.

I hear the joy in your voice and also the struggles.

We ain't any of us perfect...

...but when you sing, oh, lord,

it feels like we could be.

...I mean, without these wigs...

I don't think the people gonna recognize me.

Hold still.

I know what I'm doing.

Been doing this longer than you ever did.

Sometimes, I wonder,

if I would've just kept running the hair salon,

and not let everything else get so big...

-What's so funny? -Uh-huh.

Halie, nothing about you has ever been small,

even when you didn't have a stitch to your name.

You've been on a mission since I met you.

Remember when I sent you to that... that music lesson?

Mm-hmm.

You tried calling me a...

A "high-society negro."

Said how you never were gonna learn how to sing

to "please white people."

What, you saying I'm a hypocrite?

Mm-mm. Not at all.

See, all them white folks...

They came to you.

They the ones that changed,

not you.

That... is what I wish you could see.

Why do I feel like something's missing?

Well, you have lost a lot of people in your life.

Thank god, you still here.

That's because I quit playing piano for you.

Lord help anybody

that come between your singing and god.

What's that supposed to mean?

That, at your best,

god wasn't the only one up on that stage with you.

After all these years,

you ever think about reaching out to Mildred?

Well, I hear she's not doing too well.

Well, unless you blind,

hearing ain't the same as seeing.

-Hi. -Hello there!

Look what the cat done dragged in.

Mm-hmm.

You look good, Mahalia.

Your comeback, it brought me luck.

Oh, lord.

I took the purse at Hawthorne in the second.

Whew, talk about a beauty.

Ike.

You're like a bad penny.

How you doing, Estelle?

How you keep looking so young?

I pay my debts.

Well, then... here.

Ah, you old fool, it ain't Valentine's.

Well, I figure ain't no telling

if we both still here by next Valentine's, so.

Ike...

You ain't never paid back before.

You trying to make a comeback, too?

Nah.

We too late for that.

I guess I'm still trying to prove

the best kind of man I can be.

The best of my life was spent with you.

I remember every minute we had together.

Tsk.

I like your hair.

Figure about time to quit the wigs.

Come on in.

Don't you have somewhere you need to be tonight?

Not for a few hours,

and how am I gonna make a comeback when...

...half of my best voice is you?

This time, I'll get the money right, too.

Oh, Mildred.

I heard you was on hard times, but...

Arthritis.

How long you been suffering?

Is...

Is this is why you were drinking?

I'm sorry.

I never told you.

It's my fault.

Damn.

It's so good to see you, halie.

Well, hell, it's good to see me, too.

It's good to see you, too.

I wish you well tonight.

Why don't you come up with me?

Oh, I would love to have you on that stage.

You don't have to play!

No, I ain't stepping on no stage I ain't playing on.

Besides...

I don't think I ever played perfect for you.

I never sang perfect either.

But...

Closest I've ever been...

...Was with you.

Oh.

Wish god would let us play together one more time.

I got the perfect place.

Oh, my...

How you all doin'?

Oh, we're doing good!

-Amen! Amen! -Welcome.

You know the first time I sang at Carnegie hall,

I was so scared,

I forgot the words to the opening number.

And I had to look to Mildred for help.

She's been my mouthpiece for 20-some years.

So...

What are the words tonight, Mildred?

Of what?

Of the song we gonna sing.

Go on now! What you wanna play?

Let us pray.

Dear lord,

I always thought you demanded perfection

to deserve your love.

I didn't understand...

That you don't need nothing from us

but to love each other...

Amen.

-...and to help each other. -That's right.

Your gift wasn't my voice...

Your gift

was my purpose...

-It still is! -Mm-hmm.

...a purpose that I couldn't find alone,

so I thank you, father,

for Mildred falls,

for all them years, being the other side of me.

And I thank you, god,

for the music.

Mm!

It's like you let me come up out the water again.

Hallelujah!

Amen!

Amen.

I found my purpose

and it's singing god's words

like he's right here next to me.

And Mildred helped me,

'cause she known all along

that her purpose was to bang them keys

like they ain't never been heard.

Yes!

And you all have purpose, too.

Yes!

God's gift is for everybody.

There ain't no shortcuts.

That's right.

♪ I'm gonna live ♪

♪ the life I sing about ♪

♪ in my song ♪

♪ I'm gonna stand for right ♪

♪ always showin' the wrong ♪

♪ mm ♪

♪ if I'm in a crowd ♪

♪ if I'm alone ♪

♪ on the street ♪

♪ or in my home ♪

♪ I'm gonna live ♪

♪ the life I sing about ♪

♪ in my song ♪

♪ well ♪

♪ I'm gonna live ♪

♪ the life I sing about ♪

♪ in my song ♪

Amen!

♪ I'm gonna stand ♪

♪ for right ♪

♪ always showing the wrong ♪

♪ my lord ♪

♪ if I'm in a crowd ♪

♪ if I'm alone ♪

♪ on the street ♪

♪ or in my home ♪

♪ I'm gonna live ♪

♪ the life I sing about in my song ♪

♪ well ♪

♪ mm ♪

♪ oh, mm ♪

♪ Mm, oh, mm ♪

♪ oh, lord! ♪

♪ Mm, oh, mm ♪

♪ oh, oh, ho ♪

♪ mm ♪

♪ if I'm in a crowd ♪

♪ if I'm all alone ♪

♪ on the street ♪

♪ or in my home ♪

♪ I'm gonna live ♪

♪ the life ♪

♪ I sing ♪

♪ about ♪

♪ in my ♪

♪ song ♪