Moving Words to a Powerful Song

Look, I know it's a gay stereotype to love Broadway musicals. Ok, so I'm rocking the stereotype, then. Still, since I've become a member of the Path of The Wise Ones, an all-encompassing tradition that welcomes all Pagan paths... a revolution beyond belief... this one song keeps running through my head. Yes, it's from the silly play / movie, "Hairspray," but there were some serious, serious subjects handled in that story... not the least of which is the segrigation of maginalized people from the so-called status-quo... in this case, African-Americans in particular.

As The Tradition's leader in the education of the Pagan GLBT community, and of AIDS / HIV education, I find the lyrics of this song to be poignant... not only to the cause of the rights of so-called racial minorities, but of all disenfranchised people who are left out just because they are viewed as "different" or otherwise unsavory. If you've never heard this song, both the original Broadway version and that of Queen LaTifa from the movie are stirring, haunting and speak of a time when none of us who are marginalized could take for granted any little baby steps we were able to accomplish toward equality.

I KNOW WHERE I'VE BEEN

There's a light In the darkness
Though the night
Is black as my skin
There's a light
Burning bright
Showing me the way
But i know where i've been

There's a cry
In the distance
It's a voice
That comes from deep within
There's a cry
Asking why
I pray the answer's up ahead
'Cause i know where i've been

There's a road
We've been travelin'
Lost so many on the way
But the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the price we
Had to pay

There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle
We have yet to win
And there's pride
In my heart
'Cause i know
Where i'm going
And i know where i've been

There's a road
We must travel
There's a promise
We must make
'Cause the riches
Will be plenty
Worth the risk
And chances that we take
There's a dream
In the future
There's a struggle

We have yet to win
Use that pride
In our hearts
To lift us up
To tomorrow

'Cause just to sit still
Would be a sin

I know it, i know it
I know where i'm going
And lord knows i know..
Where i've been

Oh! When we win, I'll give thanks to my god
'Cause i know where i've been