people, you know that it’s true
If you’re black and gotta work for livin’,
now, this is what they will say to you,

they says, “If you was white, you’d be alright,
if you was brown, stick around,
but if you’re black, oh, brother, get back, get back, get back”

I read it a second time and the Rev changed the wording from If you was white, you’d be alright to: “Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right.”

These prayers at this ‘historical-momentus’ Inaugration are going to be written on the books also. Which I think credit should be given where credit is due, even in speeches. One has to wonder what Obama’s grandmother would have thought of the prayer, each night when she embraced Barack for a kiss goodnight before tucking him into bed.

Directly speaking to the divine… not a time to add a citation…. Plus, he was open about (and the press reported) the source of the words.

Plagerism and the pulpit are touchy subjects, but part of the problem is a misunderstanding of what constitutes “plagerism” in spoken worship leadership. Ripping off someone’s sermon is clearly out of line, but borrowing words happens all the time. The best practice is to reveal your sources, which Rev. Lowery did.

As for Lowery, I was amused and impressed that he encouraged so many people to join in the shouted responses of “Amen!” Audience participation fits well with President Obama’s themes of unity and shared responsibility.