All language subtitles for Remember.Me.The.Mahalia.Jackson.Story.2022

Miss Jackson,
I want to thank you

for agreeing to do
this interview today.

Oh, thank you.
It's an honor to be here.

Ja. This interview gives
your fans around the world

the opportunity to look
into the window

of what it's like to be...
Mahalia Jackson.

[chuckles] Well, I'm honored
to be here,

and I'm ready to start,
Mr. Hardwick.

Yes, okay. [clears throat]

As you traveled on the road,
did you ever face racism,

even though you are
a celebrity?

Oh, yes, Lord.

Racism, it don't matter
about being famous.

Racism don't have no status.

Hate is just hate.

[crowd cheering]

Thank you.

Hi.

Hi.

What?

[choir singing bluesy chorus]

[Mahalia joins in,
choir clapping]

[Mahalia] "Colored entrance."

Excuse me, sir, why am I coming
through the back entrance?

Coloreds ain't allowed to enter
through the front door, they
must enter through the kitchen.

Sir, how do I sing
and not be seen?

[sighs] Simple.

Stop complaining
and do your job.

So, you don't wanna see
my black skin walk
through the front door,

and I can sing all I want
as long as I stay in the back?

Miss Jackson,
these are the rules,

and if you cannot abide by them,
I'm gonna have to ask you
to leave.

All them people are out there
to hear me.

You mean they can pay
all this money to hear me sing,

as long as I hide
in the kitchen when I'm through?

Miss Jackson,
I don't make the rules,
I'm just following the law.

I know the law.

But not every venue enforces it.

Well, we follow
the law in Georgia.

Then the law will be my voice.

And even the people that don't
wanna see me will hear me.

They'll remember me.

[reporter] Several
armed police officers

shot gas directly
at protestors

gathered peacefully
outside a restaurant.

Police are now
moving in with large dogs.

America, is this who we are?

## I've been 'buked ##

## And I've been scorned ##

## I've been 'buked, Lord ##

## And I've been scorned ##

## Children ##

## I've been 'buked ##

## And I've ##

## Been scorned ##

## Yes, I've been talked about
##

## Sure as you's born ##

## I've been 'buked ##

## And I've been scorned ##

## I've been 'buked, Lord ##

## And I've been scorned ##

## Children ##

## I've been 'buked ##

## And I've been ##

## I've been scorned ##

## Yes, I've been talked about
##

## Sure as you's ##

## Born ##

Miss Jackson, you speak
fondly of your mother.

Yes, Charity.

Yes. Can you tell us how
your close relationship
with your mother

has influenced your music?

Oh, my mother influenced
my music greatly.

All of the goodness
in my music is from her.

I try to put the same love
in my music

that she poured into me.

[insects chirruping]

## Jesus Loves me,
this I know ##

## For the Bible
tells me so ##

## Little ones to Him belong
##

## They are weak
but He is strong ##

## Yes, Jesus loves me ##

Sing, baby!

## Yes, Jesus loves me ##

## Yes,
Jesus loves me ##

## For the Bible tells me so
##

Baby girl!

Wow.

Oh, baby girl.

You ain't got the voice
of just an angel,

you got the voice
of 10,000 of 'em.

Oh, my!

Oh!

Oh.

Mm.

I'm always with you.
You know I love you, right?

Right.

[Dixieland jazz playing]

[Mahalia] My mother
meant the world to me.

Don't y'all go lead Halie
down no wrong roads.

I heard her singing
in the garden this morning.

That child's marked for God.

Charity, leave us alone.
There ain't nothin' wrong
with having a little fun

every now and then, and you used
to know what that felt like.

Well, that was before
I had two mouths to feed

and before I was
working around the clock
washing clothes for white folk.

-[laughing]
-[jazz continues]

Boy! Stop running
through the house.

Whoo!

Oh, Charity baby,
please sit down.

You been running all day.

[Charity] Not now, maybe later.

I got too much work to do.

Sis, John's right,
you look exhausted.

No, I gotta get ready
for work.

That's all I seem
to do these days.

You act like you ain't got
nothin' else to look forward to.

You got a life, and can't
no one take that from you.

You know, we get married,
just like white folk do.

We have babies like 'em,

we even have dreams like 'em.

But the one thing we can't do
is have a life like 'em.

Sis, look at Halie's face.
Is that what you want her
to believe?

Of course not.

Ain't nothin' more I want
than for my babies to dream.

I used to have dreams too.

But then life woke me back up.

Cleanin' houses all day
for white folk.

I sit there wishin' and hopin'
that one day

my babies can live
in a house like this.

Remember when we was younger,
you wanted to be a ballerina?

-I do remember that.
-[sister laughs]

Imagine me just dancing

on stage.

Ahh!

In a theater
for white folks only.

[giggles] I can see it now.

Me getting a standing ovation,
and those people whispering,

"Look at that black girl dance!"

[laughs]

[sighs]

Nah.

My dreams are passed,
but my baby's...

I believe God's gonna open
heaven and Earth for her.

Now that's... what I'm
gonna preach on Sunday.

God's gonna move
heaven and Earth.

Yeah. Well, I guess I wrote
your sermon for you, Pastor.

-Well, I imagine you did.
-[Charity laughs]

All right, y'all, come on.
Let's go eat
before it gets cold.

[gasps] Oh!

Oh, Charity?
Charity, are you all right?

-Mama?
-I'm okay, baby.

I'm just tired.

-I'm just tired.
-[John] Okay.

Listen, fix those babies
some plates

while I go upstairs
and lay down for a spell.

-All right.
-All right, now, you heard
what your mama said.

And don't try to charm me
with them pretty eyes of yours.

Halie?

Wanna say a blessing?

-Sure.
-All right, then.
All right, then.

Dear God, thank you for the food
we are about to eat,

in Jesus' name we pray, amen.

[all] Amen.

Amen, amen.

All right.

Charity, now... [laughs]

I know you're tired,
but, uh, I promise,

this here, best greens
your sister ever made.

Charity?

Charity?

Charity!

Charity!

[gasps]

Hold on!

Oh, she ain't got not pulse!

-[John] What do you mean
she ain't got no pulse?
-Wait.

-She's gone!
-[John, sobbing]
She's just sleeping.

She's gone, John.
She done left us!

[sobbing]

-Mama!
-Mom!

She's gone.

[sobbing]

Mommy!

[whispered conversation]

[John] You know
how much I love you. Hmm?

And I know how much
you loved your mama.

She was the glue that
held this family together.

But her heart stopped.

And now she's gone, and, uh...

well, things gonna be
much harder for us.

You remember
your Aunt Duke, hmm?

Aunt Duke is your namesake.

Her first name is Mahala.

Hmm?

Say hey to her now.

Hi.

Hello, little lady.

Young man.

Now, you and your brother
are gonna stay with Aunt Duke
for a while.

-Daddy, no!
-Just till I get
settled, that's all.

But, Daddy, I don't wanna go.

No, Daddy, I wanna
stay with you!

[John] Oh, now, now, listen,
I want you to stay with me too,

but work being as hard as it is,
I can't take care of you
the way I want to.

How come we can't stay
with Aunt Hannah or Aunt Bell?

Well, they got their own lives,
and, uh, ain't kids
to take care of.

Now, look. Now, I'll be back.

I'll come and get you,
I promise. Okay?

Come on, come on. Come on.

Come on, now!

Don't make this no harder
on your daddy.

[Mahalia] When Mama died,
Daddy died with her.

There was no light in his eyes.

It's like he stopped

and let go of everything,

including Roosevelt and me.

But after she passed, I went
to live with my Aunt Duke.

Can you talk about that
a little bit?

Certain moments
can shift your life.

Especially when you're raised
by a cold heart.

[rooster crows]

[playful music playing]

[door clatters open]

Close the door behind you.

You raised in a barn?
Where you think you're livin'?

Now, listen here, you two.

Your mommy's dead.

Ain't no point in you thinkin'
I'm gonna let you sulk about it.

And don't think I'm gonna
be easy on you because
you're a little girl.

Is that what you're thinkin'?

Is that
what you're thinkin'?

Speak up, girl.

I said is that
what you're thinkin'?

-You're scaring her!
-Boy!

-Was I talking to you?
-No, ma'am.

Speak up.

Yes, ma'am.

Now, I know y'all
are feeling blue.

But we ain't got no time
to feel sorry for ourselves.

Now, go on upstairs
and get cleaned up for supper.

We gotta get
an early start tomorrow.

-Got a lot of work to do.
-What kind of work we gotta do?

What you mean
what kind of work, boy?

Colored folk work!

The kind of work
every colored folk got to do

to take care of their own.

I miss my mama.

Child, we got choices
to make in life.

The white man gets
the best ones,

and us colored folk,
we gets what's left.

Now, get on upstairs
and get washed up for supper.

[somber music playing]

[Dixieland jazz playing]

[bystanders] Whoa!

[Mahalia laughing]

[woman] Hey, Miss Duke!

[music fades]

So...

how is it going
in the big city?

I've been well.
I can't complain.

I got a good job
in the front office
of a new doctor in town.

Mm, mm-mm. Is that so?

Mm-hmm.

Things are different
in Chicago for coloreds.

Ain't having to shuck and jive
and bend myself

a million different ways
to please no white folk.

[Duke] Mm-mm. [chuckles]

Gotta stop kiddin' yourself.

White folks ain't never
gonna take to coloreds.

That ain't true, Duke.

Things there ain't like
how they are here.

Chicago's magical,

from the people
to the energy and the music.

They embrace us.

Child, you sound foolish.

So if you feel
that way about it,

why you here?

Well...

[sighs] ...Roosevelt's
gone off on his own now,

so... I think it's time

Halie come stay
with me for a while.

[scoffs, laughs]

And what makes you think
you can take care of her?

[Hannah]
Well, I got the time, Duke.

I promised John I'd help
look after her,

and I wanna do my part
and help shape her.

Aunt Hannah, I'd like
to go with you, please take me.

[bangs table]
You go when I say you go.

You know how you sound
talking to her like that?

-What's she done to you
to deserve it?
-I'll tell you what she's done.

She's just like her mama.

I had to put my life on hold.

I was just a child, a baby.

So I had to watch her
every single day

so mama and daddy
could go to work...

while her mama
had these wild dreams

about being a dancer.

[scoffs]

So you're the one
who killed Charity's dreams?

[Duke]
I did what I had to do.

And what did you tell her?

I told her the truth!

Don't nobody wanna see no nigger
dancing across no stage.

How could ya?
How could you kill
her dreams like that?

I loved her enough
to tell her the truth.

-And what's your truth?
-That pain...

is all we will ever know.

Well, I won't let you do
to Mahalia what you did
to my sister.

I'm taking her with me.

Over my dead body.

It'll take a thousand men
to stop me.

I will not let her dreams die.

All right, go.

But you can leave the city...

but you will always take
this black skin with you.

[Mahalia] Aunt Duke had fire
in her eyes that night.

But the only thing
I could see was freedom.

[upbeat show music playing]

Mm-hmm. That same look
I had when I saw the city
for the first time.

Same look your mother used
to have when we was kids.

I'd always heard about Chicago,

but I never imagined
it'd be so alive.

No. All the coming and going
almost don't seem real.

There's one thing for sure,
you ain't in New Orleans
no more, child.

[Mahalia] No, ma'am.

It's definitely not New Orleans.

Are these real?

No, they ain't real, child.

If they were, they'd be dead.
You see I ain't been here
to water them.

Then why you like 'em, then?

[sighs] Well...

'cause they remind me
of home in New Orleans,

or at least
what I wish home would be.

What do you wish?

When folks see a rose,
they don't care that it's red.

In fact, they embrace it.

They see all the beauty
in the life that it has.

I wish that's how
white folk would see us.

[laughs]

[sighs] Well...

it ain't much, but it's mine.

So I hope you learn to like it.

I like it already.

Well, come on.
We ain't got much time.

Time for what?

Time for church, child.

I hope you ain't thinking
you got out of serving the Lord

'cause you ain't in New Orleans,

'cause Chicago's
all about Jesus.

-Yes, ma'am.
-And you might wanna
think about,

you know, signing up
for the church choir.

Really?

Yes, really.
You got a voice, young lady,

and I think it's time we're
getting you out there using it.

Now... Halie, I know things
was hard for you

living with
your Aunt Duke, but...

things is gonna be different.

It's gonna get better.

You'll see. [sighs]

## Your past is broken ##

## Replaying all
the pain in your mind ##

## So much you wish
you could rewind ##

## The weight of your past
##

## Is keeping you
from seeing ##

## All you have in store ##

## Don't you know with God
there's so much more ##

## Welcome home ##

## You can feel
the darkness breaking ##

## Welcome home ##

## To life with dreams awaking
##

## I can see your hopes
and dreams ##

## There's so much left ##

## In store ##

## Welcome home ##

## Welcome home ##

## Welcome home ##

[church bell ringing]

Mahalia.
I've been expecting you.

I'm Thomas, Thomas Dorsey.
I'm the minister of music
here at the church.

Oh, I was actually
looking for you.

Well, uh, pleased to meet you.

Much obliged.

May I ask how long you've been
working for the church?

Oh, uh, quite a while.

Uh, seems like forever.

See, I've been writing
these songs,

and I have these lyrics.

Sheets and sheets of lyrics.

The words on these songs.

These are powerful.

Yeah, they were prayers,
you know.

Some were hopes,
some were sorrows.

I can see how the songs
lifted you up.

-Mm.
-I know when I've gone
through storms in my life--

and to tell you the truth,
I've been through quite a few--

there's a hymn of my own
I keep close.

Mm.

If you don't mind my asking,
what song speaks to you?

"Amazing Grace."

-Ah! That is a good one indeed.
-Mm-hmm.

[playing "Amazing Grace"]

## Amazing ##

## Grace ##

## How sweet ##

## The sound ##

## That saved ##

## A wretch ##

## Like ##

## Me ##

## I once ##

## Was lost ##

## But now ##

## I'm found ##

## Was blind ##

## But now ##

## I see ##

## 'Twas grace ##

## That taught ##

## My heart ##

## To fear ##

## And grace ##

## My fears ##

## Relieved ##

## How precious ##

## Did ##

## That grace ##

## Appear ##

## The hour ##

## I first ##

## I first ##

## Believed ##

## Mm-mm-mm ##

## Mm-mm-mm ##

Hmm-hmm-hmm.

Glory! [laughs]

That's all right.

[upbeat jazz playing]

[Mahalia] My Aunt Hannah,
she introduced me to a deacon

who knew a music producer
that could take me
to the next level.

And suddenly my dreams
took flight.

Hello. I'm here to see
Mr. Williams.

-Mahalia?
-Hi.

-Hello, Mr. Williams.
-[laughing]

Here's our superstar. [chuckles]

-Wow.
-Come into my office.

Oh, yes.

Have a seat.

[Mahalia] Oh.

Well...

I got your note
from Deacon Frank Williams
at my church.

He said you wanted
to speak to me.

Speak with you?

Girl, I may want to sign you.

[sighs] Really?

Frank tells me that you are
the woman with the golden voice.

[both laugh]

Show me what you got.

Oh, um...

Of course, uh...

## Great is thy faithfulness
##

## O God, my Father ##

## There is no shadow of ##

## Turning with thee ##

## Thou changest not
thy compassion ##

## They fail not ##

## As thou has been ##

## Thou forever will be ##

## Great is thy faithfulness
##

## Great is ##

## Thy ##

## Faithfulness ##

## Morning by morning ##

## New mercies I see ##

## All I have ##

## Needed ##

## Thy hand hath provided ##

## Great is thy faithfulness
##

## Lord unto ##

## Me ##

Mahalia...

you are bigtime.

Really?

I mean bigtime!

You're fresh.

You're spunk wrapped up
in a holy ribbon.

I mean, girl, you even had me
feeling the Holy Ghost.

[laughing]

Don't I need an attorney
or somebody to look at this...?

Now, look, believe me...

Don't worry your pretty little
head about all this legalese.

Ink is gonna take
very good care of you.

You hear me?

[chuckles]

-[emcee] I said hey!
-[crowd] Hey!

-[emcee] I said hey-hey!
-[crowd] Hey-hey!

Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to Sunset Cafe,

where we're jumpin' and jivin'
all the way live!

-[crowd cheering]
-I'm your emcee, Willie Green,
and this ain't a hype.

## We're gonna wow you
tonight, hey! ##

Now get ready.
Are you ready?

-[crowd] Yes!
-I said are you ready...

-[crowd] Yes!
-...for the amazing...

incomparable Duke Ellington!

[cheering and applause]

[playing upbeat jazz]

[whispering indistinctly]

[woman] Hey, sugar, you lost?

You here with somebody?

Oh, no, I'm looking
for some friends of mine,

but I don't see them here yet.

Well, honey, you are in luck,

'cause I pride myself
in never meeting a stranger.

Why don't you come on over here
and sit with us a spell?

Oh, I don't want to be
a third wheel.

Me and this beautiful lady
have been together for years.

-It's fine with me.
-Yes, and we always enjoy
meeting new people.

So now, what's your name, sugar?

Uh... I'm Mahalia.

-Mahalia Jackson.
-Ooh, okay.

Why you lookin' so scared?

I guess 'cause I never been
in a place like this before.

My aunt, if she knew I was here,
she would be so upset with me.

Oh, oh, so you sneakin'
around, huh?

Sounds like something
I used to do.

[Mahalia] No, no,
it's not like that.

It's just I spend
a lot of time at the church.

Well, ain't nothin' wrong
with that.

And ain't nothin' wrong with
havin' a good time, neither.

[woman] Mm-hmm, that's right,

'cause even the Lord
turned water into wine.

Well, he did that at a wedding,
not at a place like this.

Okay, you're right,
you're right,

but, honey, if you don't want
to enjoy places like this,

then tell us why you're here.

Actually I signed
with a record company

and my friends invited me
here to celebrate.

Well, well, well,
we got a singer in our midst.

-Indeed, we do!
-Did you sign with one of them
big jazz record companies?

No, I don't sing
that kind of music.
I only sing for the Lord.

Well, I'm glad you ran
into us so we can make you
a bit more comfortable.

Mm-hmm. 'Cause this ain't
even as low as we can go.

-Watch that, now.
-[woman giggles]

[chuckles] Take it easy,
and if it's easy, take it again.

Okay! I love it
when you say that, baby.

-And when you give it to me.
-Oh, wait a minute now.

[cheering and applause]

Oh, there you are, Halie.
Sorry we're late.

I can't believe we get
to see Cab Calloway.

And Charlie Parker
on the same night.

[gasps] Oh!
Please excuse our manners.

I'm Geraldine,
and this cute lady next to me
is my sister Evelyn.

-Pleased to meet you. [giggles]
-Pleased to meet you.

-Y'all excited for tonight?
-Mm, "excited"
ain't even the word.

Honey, the best jazz
you're ever gonna hear

is right here
in the south side.

-[emcee in background]
-I hear Dizzy is here too.
-Mahalia Jackson...

get ready for a night
you won't forget.

[woman] Take a seat there now.

[emcee] ...right back
for you and me.

He's gonna rock you until day.

Introducing the incredible
Cab Calloway!

[cheering and applause]

## Hey, y'all,
come gather around ##

## We got something cool
going down ##

## This smooth clambake
you're gonna dig ##

## Ring-a-ding-ding, mama ##

## I'm gonna blow your wig
##

## La-di-da-di-da ##

[crowd] ## La-di-da-di-da ##

## La-di-da-do ##

## La-di-da-do ##

## La-di-da-di-da-di-da-do
##

[crowd]
## La-di-da-di-da-
di-da-do ##

## La-di-da-do ##

[crowd]
## La-di-da-do ##

Ladies and gentlemen,
give it up for my dear friend

Louis Armstrong!

## Ohh... ## [scatting]

[crowd repeating]

## La-di-daaaa ##

## La-di-dohhh ##

## Yo-aaaaa ##

[cheering and applause]

Lucille, Clive.
Good to see you.

Cab, Cab, you are a thrill,
a real wonder to behold!

Yeah, all that slippin'
and slidin' made me wanna
run up there

and cut a rug or two myself.

-[laughter]
-Well, I was just doin'
what I do.

-[Clive] Hey!
-[Lucille] You were!
Oh, excuse my manners.

These are our new friends,
um, Evelyn, Geraldine
and Miss Mahalia.

Jackson. Mahalia Jackson.

Nice to make your acquaintance.

Oh, well, uh, I'm a big fan.

I love your music
and your dancing, all of it.

Oh, and you know what?

Cab, she tells us
that she is a singer.

Not just any kind of singer,
a gospel singer.

So, you must be
some kind of singer, then,

'cause gospel's from the heart.

Yeah, I do all right. [laughs]

You must do more than all right.

See, all kinds of music
is from the mind.

But gospel, ah, it's special.

Its music is from the soul.

Sing your truth.

As long as you remember that,
you'll do just fine.

Yeah, I see you tried
to show me up there.

-Good show.
-It wasn't that hard.

You have the class,
I have the moxie.

[laughter]

It seems this young lady
may show us both up.

[Willie] Is that right?

This here
is Miss Mahalia Jackson.

Oh. Well, young lady,
you never know.

Maybe you and I will get
to record together sometime.

I'd be honored.

Miss Jackson, I have a feeling

you're about to take
the world by storm.

Look at that.

A prophecy for your life!
[laughs]

[upbeat jazz playing]

[Lucille] See you later.

[jazz music continues]

[jazz music continues]

Thank you so much for coming,
and God bless you.

[giggles]

[music ends]

Ladies and gentlemen,

they call this next young woman

the Soul of America.

So tonight, I'm very proud
to introduce to you

gospel legend Mahalia Jackson.

Let's give her a warm welcome.

[gospel piano playing]

## Oh, get away, Jordan ##

## Get away over Jordan ##

## Get away, Jordan ##

## Got to cross over
to see my Lord ##

## Well, get away ##

## Jordan ##

## Get away over Jordan ##

## Get away ##

## Jordan ##

## Got to cross over
to see my Lord ##

## Well, you see those
children
all dressed in white ##

## Got to cross over,
see my Lord ##

## Well, it must be the
children of the Israelite ##

## Got to cross over
to see my Lord ##

## Well, get away, Jordan ##

## Get away ##

## Over Jordan ##

## Get away ##

## Jordan ##

## Got to cross over
to see my Lord ##

## Well ##

## My God got angry
on the throne ##

## Angels in the heaven
didn't moan ##

## Took their wings,
the veil they fit ##

## Cryin', "Lord have mercy
on the human race" ##

## You know the day got dark
##

## The moon turned to blood
##

## God clapped his hands
and came a mighty flood ##

## Oh, get away, Jordan ##

## Get away over Jordan ##

## Get away, Jordan ##

## Got to cross over
to see my Lord ##

## Well ##

## In my day, Lord ##

## Some folks say I'm lost
##

## But Jesus promised
that the gates of hell ##

## Will see me safely cross
##

## Well, I say ##

## Get away, Jordan ##

## Get away, over Jordan ##

## Get away, Jordan ##

## Got to cross over ##

## To see my ##

## Lord ##

[crowd applauding]

[man] Thank you for taking
the time to meet with us,
Dr. King.

[Martin] We just have to keep
the lines of communication open.

Sister Mahalia.

It's an honor
to finally meet you in person.

Your voice
is from heaven itself.

The pleasure's all mine,
Dr. King.

I'm truly standing
in the presence of greatness.

I've been meaning
to contact you.

You see, it's my belief
that you could play

a significant role
as an ally for the movement.

Oh, anything I could do to
support the cause, I'm willing.

As you know,
we advocate nonviolence

as we strive
for a peaceful resolution

for the tyranny
brought against our people.

Because of this approach...

we need more allies.

Well, Dr. King,
whatever I have to do.

I'm in this fight with you.

You just let me know.

Well, all right.

You take care
of that voice, now.

Thank you, Dr. King.

[Mahalia]
Dr. Martin Luther King.

[chuckles]

-[Mahalia vocalizing]
-[piano playing]

[door opens]

[door closes]

Hello, ma'am.
I would like to order
a turkey sandwich, please.

We don't serve niggers here.

Oh. I'm sorry.
I didn't see the sign.

We don't need a sign
in Hattiesburg.

Everybody knows we don't serve
y'all kind here.

I miss you, Mama.

[door opens]

I don't give a damn
what he thinks,
I don't pay him to think.

Listen, I... I gotta go.
I gotta go. No, bye.

Mahalia, what a surprise.

Not sure why I'm a surprise.

I've been calling you all week,
you've been avoiding my calls.

Now, why would I want
to do a thing like that?

'Cause you're scared
to tell me the truth.

How are the sales doing
on my new album?

[Ink] The sales are not good.

[Mahalia] Not good?

## Elijah rock, shout, shout
##

I don't understand.
Those are powerful songs.

Listen, this ain't church,
Mahalia, this is show business.

## Shout, shout ##

## Elijah rock comin' up ##

It's not personal, look.

I put my heart and my soul
in all of those songs,
so it's personal to me.

With all that touring
you've been doing,
you've done real good.

## Elijah... ##

But you can't just
make money on the road.

## Eli... ##

You gotta sell albums too.

## Elijah ##

## Hallelujah ##

## Elijah rock, shout,
shout, shout ##

## Elijah rock,
comin' up, Lord ##

## Elijah rock, shout,
shout, shout ##

## Elijah rock,
comin' up, Lord ##

You've been dropped
by Decca Records.

## Hallelujah, my God ##

-Why?
-## Thank you, Jesus,
Elijah Rock ##

We're into making
popular music.

-## My God... ##
-Singing for Jesus,
it don't make no money.

-Listen.
-It don't make no money, and
it's not what people wanna hear.

You can cheat me, but I ain't
gonna let you cheat God.

## John talked about him ##

## In the Book
of the Seven Seals ##

-I'm sorry, Mahalia.
-## Some say the rose
of Sharon... ##

Don't be sorry for me,
be sorry for yourself.

## But all
I can tell everybody ##

## He's been a rock
and shelter for me,
hallelujah ##

This place has lost
the best singer they ever had.

## Elijah rock,
comin' up, Lord ##

## Elijah Rock, shout,
shout, shout ##

## Elijah ##

## Rock ##

## I'm comin' up ##

## Lord ##

## Hallelujah ##

[applause]

Miss Jackson, you have fans
not only in the United States

but worldwide,
especially in Europe.

How has a gospel artist
been able to draw

such a diverse
and far-reaching fan base?

Well, I've been blessed
by the mighty Lord

to have people who love
the music.

I've sung in Tokyo

and to emperors and queens.

I've sung to millions
of people around the world.

So, you know, it's hard
to hear the word "fan,"

when in my heart I feel like

we're all just a big old family,
all different colors,

and it's the music
that brings us together.

-Mm.
-Looks like you're enjoying it.

Mahalia.
Well, now... this is how
you're supposed to cook.

[Mahalia] Mm-hmm.

Where in the world did you learn
how to cook chicken like this?

What you mean?
I'm from New Orleans.

And if you can't cook,
you ain't from New Orleans.

I'm movin' to New Orleans.

[laughing]

You can ask John.

I've been to every
church house picnic

from here to Mississippi

and I'm a witness,
can't everybody cook.

Martin, you better stop talkin'
about them people food.

I'd rather talk about it
than eat it.

That's much, much better.

-Mm-mm.
-Wow.

Listen, you keep this up, now,

might snag you a husband.

Oh, no, I'm waitin' on Jesus.
He the only husband I need.

Mahalia, Jesus is
a confirmed bachelor.

You're gonna be waitin'
a very long time.

-[Mahalia laughs]
-Very long.

Seriously, Martin,
I mean, how do you feel

the way things have changed,
seeing all these changes?

What's your heart like?

Well, to tell you the truth...

some moments I see great change.

Others, I pray for more.

God's will be done.

I mean, still,
you must feel good.

People's hearts awakening,
their voices are opening.

And that ain't nothin'
but Jesus.

Reminds me of a dream I had.

[Mahalia] What kind of dream?

A few nights ago, uh...

I couldn't sleep.

Had a lot on my mind.

[Mahalia] I'm sure you do.

When I finally fell asleep...

it was a deep sleep.

Almost like it was real.

What was in the dream, Martin?

Well...

there was people everywhere.

And I'm not just talking
about any people.

People of every color,
every nation, every religion.

All of us treated as equal.

And that is a beautiful dream.

-Yes, it is.
-[laughs]

You want some more
chicken, John?

-Oh, you ain't heard
about John Lewis?
-[Mahalia] What about John?

[Martin] He been all over
the south, ain't seen
a plate he don't like.

[laughing]

John, Martin tellin' on you,
he tellin' on you.

[laughing]

[Martin] He gonna eat.

John gonna eat.

[Mahalia] ## Oh-ooh ##

[gospel piano playing]

## Blessed quietness ##

## Holy quietness ##

## Blessed assurance ##

## In my soul ##

## On the stormy sea ##

## Jesus speaks to me ##

## And the billows
cease to roll ##

## Mm-hmmm ##

## Mm-mm ##

All right, now, y'all.

See you next week.
Great rehearsal.

Whoo, girl, that may be
the best singing
I've ever heard in my life.

Excuse me? Do I know you?

Possibly. I've been picking up
my friend James from rehearsal
the last couple of nights.

Oh, that's where
I've seen you before.

James played drums
with the band, all right.

So, I guess we aren't
strangers after all.

I guess not.
Well, I gotta go.

Oh, wait, uh, can I
give you a call sometime?

-I don't think so.
-Aw, please.

I'd like to get to know you.

Just give me a few minutes
of your time.

[gospel band playing]

[chuckles]

Sigmond was my second husband.

And we fell in love quickly.

I guess you can say he swept me
off my feet. [laughs]

Miss Jackson, Miss Jackson.

He was a charming one,
that one.

Mm!

Sounds like
a whirlwind romance.

[laughs] It was.

But you know,
like everything else in life,

it took a turn.

But if you look at this column,
I'm telling you,

we are still on track
to improve our revenue 28%.

Only 28%?

Mahalia, 28% is good.

You're on track
for a banner year.

Good is not enough,
not the way I work.

I need better.

Well, what do you propose
we do?

Well, you see,
here it says that...

it looks like the balances,

we're not receiving
all our balances

from the venues.

Well, most of them, yes,
but, you know,

from time to time, they have
different reasons why--

Excuses, more like.

Excuses...
why they don't wanna pay.

I mean, some promoters,
they pay late.

Some of them not at all.

We're not playing that game.
Everybody gotta pay their due.

Spread the word
to all the venues,

I want all monies up front
before I perform on stage.

That'll take care of that.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, is there anything else?

Uh...

yes, there is.

All right.

There was an offer
for you to perform

in Las Vegas.

-Las Vegas?
-Mm-hmm.

Lord, no, Cyle. [chuckles]

Mahalia!

Look, the promoters are offering
$25,000 a week

for you to sing
at the Flamingo Hotel.

Tell them I decline.

I'm sorry,
I just don't understand.

Why?

Because I'm not compromising
my principles over money.

Not doing it.

But your ministry
is to spread the good news.

To sinners, not to drunks.

I'm not performing in a place
that sells alcohol.

-Yes, ma'am.
-Thank you.

I will let them know.

-Anything else?
I think we're done.
-Uh...

Yes, uh...

Dr. King has also requested

that you make more appearances
at his rallies.

Yes, yes, of course.
Let him know it's fine.

[Cylestine sighs]

Cyle?

Is there something going on?

I feel like you want
to say something.

You can talk to me.

I've been getting
a lot of phone calls.

Uh-huh.

I just didn't know
how to say this.

Just... speak your mind, baby.

Sigmond's been seen
with another woman.

-[man] We want
to give you that...
-Thank you.

[man] And then I want to give
you a little bit of extra.

-And thank you so much.
-Thanks for having me.

[man] Mm-hmm.

Give you a call later, later on.

[woman, softly]
I'll be looking forward to it.

Bye.

Okay.

## Mm ##

[clears throat]

[sighs]

Thank you.

Mahalia, listen,

you're experiencing extensive
diabetes and heart
complications.

Look, you've been traveling,
touring back-to-back, recording.

Your body needs rest.

Doctor...

I appreciate everything you say.

I really do.

But this is my calling.

This is what I do.

God's work.

Well, you know, you can do
God's work and get rest too.

At the end of the day,
the decision is yours.

But if you don't make
some serious changes,
and I mean quickly...

Listen...
just slow it down, okay?

Yeah.

-Thank you, Doctor.
-Mm-hmm.

[groans]

Martin, they've arrived.
They're preparing them
for the march.

[Martin] Mahalia, I appreciate
you traveling all this way

from Louisville
to assist in the march.

Martin, like I said before,
I'm always here.

It's just so hard to see
so much hate spread down south.

Hate is a dire disease,
we have yet to find a cure.

Our people are in a critical
moment in this country

as we consider our next move.

What challenges do we face
down here in Louisville?

[sighs]

My brother A. D.
has informed me

of some inequalities
and discrimination

in housing and development.

What inequalities
do he see?

Well, limited housing
for blacks on one side

while the whites are given
the ability to live free.

[Mahalia, laughing] That sounds
just like New Orleans.

On one side of the street,
you have the haves,

and on the other,
you have the have-nots.

The only difference is,
our black brothers
and sisters in this city

deserve to live
the same freedoms

as our white
brothers and sisters.

Why does everything for us
have to be so hard?

Because we're not marching
for just us.

We're marching
for those men and women

who managed up the confidence
to walk off that bus.

Men and women.

Who may not understand
the magnitude of what
they're about to face.

We're faced with the task
of educating them.

Raising up a new generation,

young minds that will embrace

the potential
of new possibilities.

Martin, young minds
lack the patience we once had.

-[Martin] Hah.
-It's like they want
everything now.

With perseverance,

they'll get it.

Equal housing will be a luxury

future generations
will take for granted.

You've all been called
for a magnificent moment.

[shouting]

Today in this place,

we will be visited by history.

I'm not gonna lie to you today.

You'll be met with some of
the most vicious acts of hatred

some of you
have ever encountered.

But remember
what brought you here...

what your reasons were
for braving those fears

that paralyze most
yet rose you up
from your complacency.

[shouting indistinctly]

Freedom is what
we seek here today.

The call for something that
is greater than ourselves.

There are moments in your life

where you must make a decision,
a formidable decision.

The decision is not
whether we move forward,
we know we must move.

The decision is whether
we move with the force
and strength powerful enough

to shatter the very stones
of hatred that have
surrounded us on all sides.

It's a lonely walk.

It'll try the very center
of your heart

and resound
in the depths of your souls,

yet we find heart knowing
we travel this journey
not alone.

For God is with us
on this journey towards justice.

God is not just
in the first step,
he's in the last step.

And his step is eternal...

and will carry us
toward freedom.

[protestors] Amen.

[man] That's right.

All right.

Let's go.

Mahalia, can you explain
to your fans

the intricate friendship you had

with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?

Martin.

Martin...

he wasn't just a treasure
to the world...

he was a treasure to me.

He was an icon, and...

even before I met him,

I knew God himself
had sent him here

to heal this world.

But when did you realize
you would become

a pivotal part of the movement?

Oh, I knew early on.

God spoke it to me.

Martin would share his dreams
for this world.

He wanted us to be united.

He wanted us to be one.

[piano playing "Joshua
Fit the Battle of Jericho"]

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## Jericho, Jericho ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## And the walls came
tumblin' down ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## Jericho, Jericho ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## And the walls came
tumblin' down ##

## You may talk about
the men of Gideon ##

## You may talk
about the men of Saul ##

## But there's none
like good old Joshua ##

## At the battle of Jericho
##

## Hallelujah ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## Jericho, Lord, Jericho ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## And the walls came
tumblin' down ##

## Up to the walls
of Jericho ##

## Sword drawn in his hand
##

## "Go blow them horns,"
cried Joshua ##

## "'Cause the battle
is in my hands" ##

## Hallelujah ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## Jericho ##

## Jericho, Lord ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## And the walls
came tumblin' down ##

## That mornin' ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## Jericho, Lord ##

## Yeah-eah-eah ##

## Joshua fit the battle
of Jericho ##

## And the walls
came tumblin' down ##

## And the walls came
tumblin' down ##

## And the walls came ##

## Tumblin' ##

## Down ##

As I was listening
to the powerful words

from our anointed sister,
Mahalia,

the words that stood out
clearly, proudly and boldly
for me,

the very last line:

"And the walls
came tumbling down."

-I know that's right.
-Yes, yes!

Walls that have surrounded
the negro race
for many a year now...

-Bring it on, Pastor.
-The walls of injustice

have imprisoned our people
for generations.

-[man] Come on!
-[woman] Come on now!

Walls that have kept
God's children

from seeing
the optimistic possibilities

that should be freely given
to every girl and every boy.

-Amen.
-Amen.

Walls have kept our young black
men attacked from every side

and prevented
our young black women

from the respect
to which they are entitled.

I just stopped by
to tell you tonight

I'm tired of sitting back
and sitting still.

[congregation] Yeah!

[Martin] We will march against
the pervasive hatred

that has bound us from freedom.

We will march against
the oppression

that has clenched
innocent minds
on the basis of color.

We will march against
the rampant attacks of police
brutality and inequality.

There's nothing dwelling
on Earth that God is not in.

He's in the mountains
and in the valleys,

from Mississippi to Alabama.

He's in the high places
yet dwells in the low.

He's with you when you're up
and even closer when
you're down.

His love surrounds you
in your joy

and even more in your pain.

Let the church say amen.

[congregation applauding]

[emcee] Ladies and gentlemen,

please give
a warm Atlanta welcome

to Miss Mahalia Jackson.

[cheering and applause]

Well, hello, Atlanta.
How's everybody doing?

Oh, no, y'all
a little quiet for me.

Come on, now,
if you're feeling all right,
say, "God is great!"

[audience] God is great!

Yes! It's so good
to see your faces.

You know, I wanna start
with my favorite song.

It's called "How I Got Over."
Do you know that song?

-[man] Yeah!
-[applauding]

Oh, you do know it!

Well, that was written
by my good friend
Miss Clara Ward.

You know, sometimes in life,
we go through things

and it seems like it's
impossible to make it through.

Things come 'round
we don't expect,

and it feels like
we can't make it over.

-[man] Preach!
-[woman] Come on, now!

We're having problems at work,
problems at home.

And we can't even walk
down the street

without being beat down
for the color of our skin.

How many of y'all know
that we have a savior

that will turn up
and turn out

right when we're ready
to throw in the towel?

Well, let me tell you about me,
how I got over.

## How I got over ##

## How did I make it over?
##

## You know my soul
look back and wonder ##

## How did I make it over?
##

## How I made it over ##

## Coming on over ##

## All these years ##

## You know my soul
look back and wonder ##

## How did I make it over?
##

## Oh-oh-oh ##

## But soon as I can see Jesus
##

## The man that died for me
##

## Man that bled and suffered
##

## He hung on Calvary ##

## And I want to thank him
##

## For how he brought me ##

## And I want to thank God
##

## For how he taught me ##

## Oh, thank my God
how he kept me ##

## Oh, I'm gonna thank him
'cause he never left me ##

## Tell me how I made it over
##

## I've been fallin'
and risin' all these years ##

## But you know my soul
look back and wonder ##

## How did I make it over ##

-[man] Sing it, girl!
-## Mm-mm-mm ##

## I'm gonna wear
a diamond gown ##

## In that new Jerusalem ##

## I'm gonna walk
the streets of gold ##

## In that homeland for me
and my soul ##

## And I'm gonna view
the host in white ##

## They've been travelin'
day and night ##

## Comin' out
from every nation ##

## They're on their way
to the great congregation ##

## They're coming from
the north ##

## South, east and west ##

## They're on their way
to a land of rest ##

## They're gonna join
the heavenly choir ##

## Yes, we gon' shout
and never get tired ##

## And then we gonna shout
"Glory hallelujah!" ##

## Then we gonna shout ##

## All our trouble over ##

## You know we got
to thank God ##

## Thank him for being ##

## So good ##

## To me ##

## Yeah-eah ##

[cheering and applause]

You must really think
I'm a fool.

Like I don't know
who you're talking to
in the middle of the night.

I told you a million times,
she's a friend.

Funny how men say a woman
is just a friend,

yet it's never
what they make it out to be.

You have no proof
I've been with another woman.

They say the eyes
are the window to the soul.

And I see
straight through your heart.

I know.
That's all the proof I need.

You got some kind of nerve
throwing accusations against me.

While you're out singing,

getting all your standing
ovations on the road,

I'm fighting here alone
to take care of this family.

All that singing,
out on the road,

is helping take care
of this family.

I'm the glue that holds
this thing together.

And I'm the man
who loves you, woman!

Look...

she's just a friend
who I reached out to

because my wife is never home.

I'm a man and I need
someone I can talk to.

Why do women always
have to choose

between what makes a man weak
and what makes a woman strong?

[scoffs]

That's your fight,
Mahalia, not mine.

I know a lie
when I see it, Sigmond.

I've been through lies
with my first husband,

and I refuse
to go through it with you.

I'm not going
to let you break me.

I wasn't trying
to break you, Mahalia.

I was trying to love you.

Not the way I deserve
to be loved.

Then I guess that's my cue.

-I'm getting my things
and we're through.
-No.

I'll send you your things.

[phone rings]

Hello.

-Miss Mahalia.
-Yes.

You got a phone call.

Who would be calling me
this time of night?

It's Dr. King.

Oh. Hello?

Hello, Martin, everything okay?

Sis...

It's been...
it's been a mighty long day.

I think I could use
some encouragement.

[Mahalia] Of course, Martin.

I completely understand.

Let's see, um...

I think what comes
to mind is this.

## I must ##

## Tell Jesus ##

## All of my ##

## Trials ##

## I cannot bear these ##

## Burdens alone ##

## In my distress he ##

## Kindly will help me ##

## He ever loves and ##

## Cares for his own ##

## I must... ##

Martin.

## You must ##

## Tell Jesus ##

## You must tell ##

## Jesus ##

## I cannot bear these ##

## Burdens ##

## Alone ##

## I must tell Jesus ##

## I must ##

## Tell Jesus ##

## Jesus can help me ##

## Jesus ##

## Alone ##

Thank you.

[Mahalia] And then suddenly,
the world turned dark.

[gunshot]

-Hey.
-Hey.

What is it?

I'm so sorry.

Cyle, about what?
What is it?

They shot him.

They shot Dr. King.

He's dead.

I'm sorry.

They killed him, baby.

Hmm-mm.

I'm so sorry.

-No, Cyle.
-Baby.

No, Cyle, no.

[Cylestine] Oh, I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

[sobbing]

-Cyle.
-[Walter Cronkite]
Good evening.

Dr. Martin Luther King,
the apostle of nonviolence
in the Civil Rights movement,

has been shot to death
in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. King was standing
on the balcony

of his second-floor
hotel room tonight

when, according to...

Mahalia, I'm gonna
go grab the car.

All right, I'll see you
in a minute.

[gasps]

[gasps]

[man] I got you!

-Oh!
-I got you.

[somber music playing]

Cyle.

Will you...

write down a...

a passage for me?

Mahalia, you need to rest.

[sighs]

Please. Please.

Do this for me and...

and read it.

Of course.

The scripture is haunting me.

Psalms...

119...

[Cyle] 119?

...verses...

17 and 18.

"Deal bountifully

with thy servant

that I may live...

and keep thy word."

"Open thou mine eyes."

[somber gospel music playing]

## No more... ##

Why don't you sing that hymn

that you always sing
when you get tired?

[Mahalia sighs]

Oh, I know.

I know the one
you're talking about.

[Cylestine] Yes.

At least
give me one line.

## Why... ##

## Should I feel ##

## Discouraged...? ##

[groans]

[gospel choir]
## Trouble of the world ##

## Trouble of the world ##

## Trouble of this world ##

## Soon will be done ##

## Trouble of the world ##

## Goin' home ##

## To live ##

## With my Lord ##

Yeah... I see her.

I see my mama dancin'.

## I long to see ##

## My mother ##

## I want ##

## To see my mother ##

[Cylestine sobbing]

## Goin' home ##

## To live ##

## With God ##

## Soon will be done... ##

[Mahalia] And just like that,

I finally saw my mama.

## Trouble of the world ##

## Lord ##

## The trouble of ##

## The world ##

## Soon will be done ##

## With the trouble
of the world ##

## I'm going home ##

## To live with ##

## God ##

[vocalizing continues]

[song ends]

[Bebe Winans]
## Sometimes in life ##

## You face a mountain ##

## You feel you can't climb
##

[Ledisi] ## Seems like
the more you try ##

## The further you get behind
##

[Bebe]
## Still you can't give up
##

[Ledisi]
## Help is on the way ##

[Bebe]
## I can make it ##

[Ledisi]
## According to my faith ##

## When I'm weak ##

## I am strong ##

## I've got strength ##

## I'm holding on ##

[Bebe]
## And I will fight ##

## Until the end ##

## Pressing forward,
no stopping ##

[Ledisi] ## I will stand
against all odds ##

## I won't retreat,
I've come too far ##

## I've got faith ##

## Inside of me ##

[Bebe]
## Oh, I've got faith ##

## Faith to carry me ##

[Ledisi] ## Sometimes
the weight of the world ##

## Is more than you can bear
##

[Bebe] ## Feels like
you're all alone ##

## Does anybody care? ##

[Ledisi]
## Don't give in to defeat
##

## Troubles won't last always
##

[Bebe] ## Lift your hand ##

## Raise your voice ##

## And say ##

[both]
## When I'm weak ##

[Bebe]
## I am strong ##

[Ledisi]
## I've got strength ##

## I'm holding on ##

[both]
## I will fight ##

[Ledisi]
## Till the end ##

[Bebe] ## Pressing forward,
no stopping ##

[Ledisi] ## I will stand
against all odds ##

## I won't retreat,
I've come too far ##

[both]
## I've got faith ##

## Inside of me ##

## Oh, I've got faith ##

## Faith to carry me ##

## Oh ##

-[chorus] ## Faith ##
-[both] ## Faith ##

[chorus]
## Can move mountains ##

-[Bebe] ## Oh ##
-[chorus] ## Change ##

[Ledisi] ## Change ##

[chorus]
## My surroundings ##

[Ledisi]
## Change my surroundings ##

[Bebe]
## Faith! ##

[chorus]
## Faith ##

[both]
## Faith ##

[chorus]
## Can chase all the clouds
##

## Away ##

[both]
## Chase my doubts away ##

[chorus]
## Faith ##

[both]
## Chase my doubts away ##

[Bebe]
## When I'm weak ##

## I am strong ##

## I've got strength ##

## I'm holding on ##

[Ledisi]
## I will fight ##

## Until the end ##

## Pressing forward,
no stopping ##

[Bebe] ## I will stand
against the odds ##

[chorus]
## Stand against all odds ##

[Ledisi] ## I won't retreat,
I've come too far ##

## I've got faith ##

## Inside of me ##

[Bebe]
## Hmm ##

[Ledisi]
## Oh, I've got faith ##

## Faith to carry me ##

[chorus]
## Faith to carry, carry ##

[Ledisi]
## Whoo-ooh ##

[Bebe]
## Oh, yeah ##

[chorus]
## Faith to carry, carry ##

[Bebe]
## Over the valley ##

[Ledisi]
## Over the valley ##

[Bebe]
## From here to there ##

[Ledisi]
## From here to my God ##

[both] ## Oh, I've got it,
I've got it, I've got it ##

[Bebe]
## Oh, He gave it to me ##

[Ledisi]
## He gave it to me ##

## Yeah-eah-eah ##

[chorus]
## Whoo-ooh ##

[Ledisi]
## Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh ##

[music fades to end]