Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee; it’s a promise we keep to one another. In times when the airwaves and headlines feel crowded with division, hatred, and the loud noise of demagoguery, all in reaction to barbarous and vile language from the highest quarters, the antidote has always been found in the music. This week on Deeper Roots, we are celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary by stepping directly into the storm with a playlist designed to uplift, fortify, and remind us of what’s worth fighting for. Count on sounds from Gillian Welch, Willie Nelson, Sam Cooke, Chet Baker and a few dozen more as we dive deep into a century of American music, bringing you powerful songs of the spirit from the gospel canon alongside timeless anthems of resistance that call on us to rise above the attacks on our shared democracy. This isn’t just a look back at history—it’s a toolkit for the present.
| No. | Artist | Title | Album | Year | Start At |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mahalia Jackson | I Will Move On Up A Little Higher | Folk Blues & Gospel: Will the Circle Be Unbroken | 1999 | 00:00 |
| 2 | The Edwin Hawkins Singers | I'm Going Through | Oh Happy Day: The Best Of The Edwin Hawkins Singers | 1969 | 08:19 |
| 3 | The Blind Boys Of Alabama | I Shall Not Be Moved | I'll Find A Way | 2013 | 13:20 |
| 4 | Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder | I Shall Not Be Moved | Get On Board | 2022 | 15:56 |
| 5 | Connie Smith | Farther Along | Connie Smith 1965-1966 | 2011 | 20:10 |
| 6 | Sam Cooke And The Soul Stirrers | Farther Along | The Complete Specialty Recordings [Disc 3] | 1956 | 22:59 |
| 7 | Larry Campbell | Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning | Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams | 2015 | 30:59 |
| 8 | The Browns | Fair and Tender Ladies | Classics 1963-1964 (Warped 6384) | 2010 | 34:59 |
| 9 | Willie Nelson | Healing Hands of Time | Wanted! The Outlaws [Bonus Tracks] | 1996 | 37:25 |
| 10 | Elvis Presley | (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) | Elvis By The Presleys [Disc 1] | 1957 | 39:39 |
| 11 | The Impressions | Keep On Pushing | Ultimate Collection: The Impressions | 1964 | 42:58 |
| 12 | Joe Ely | The Road Goes On Forever | The Best Of Joe Ely 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection | 1992 | 50:29 |
| 13 | Sara Evans | Born To Fly | Laying Tracks | 2003 | 54:56 |
| 14 | B.B. King & Dr. John | There Must Be A Better World Somewhere | Deuces Wild | 1997 | 58:46 |
| 15 | The Bronzemen | Hold On (Keep Yo' Hand On The Plow) | The Bronzemen – Radio Transcriptions (1939) | 1939 | 1:03:24 |
| 16 | Mahalia Jackson | Keep Your Hand on the Plow | The World's Greatest Gospel Singer | 1954 | 1:10:33 |
| 17 | Sam Cooke | A Change Is Gonna Come | Hard To Find Jukebox Classics 1960-64: 30 Amazing Stereo Hits | 2016 | 1:12:58 |
| 18 | Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions | People Get Ready | Akeelah And The Bee (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2006 | 1:15:32 |
| 19 | Fats Domino | Walking To New Orleans | The Rock 'n' Roll Era: 1960 | 1960 | 1:18:08 |
| 20 | The Four Tops | Reach Out I'll Be There | The Classic Sixties: 1966 | 1966 | 1:20:02 |
| 21 | Ray Charles | I Believe to My Soul | Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 1 | 1997 | 1:22:58 |
| 22 | Keb' Mo' | Wake Up Everybody | Peace…Back By Popular Demand | 2004 | 1:30:06 |
| 23 | The Staple Singers | I'll Take You There | I'll Take You There | 1972 | 1:34:07 |
| 24 | Jo Stafford | On The Sunny Side of the Street | Candy | 1944 | 1:37:14 |
| 25 | Chet Baker | Look for the Silver Lining | Chet Baker Sings | 1956 | 1:40:07 |
| 26 | Louis Armstrong | What A Wonderful World | Lifetime Of Romance: Falling In Love [Disc 2] | 1967 | 1:42:44 |
| 27 | The Band | The Weight | Northern Songs – Canada's Best And Brightest | 1968 | 1:44:59 |
| 28 | Sly & the Family Stone | Everyday People | Anthology | 1981 | 1:52:11 |
| 29 | Bruce Springsteen | Streets of Minneapolis | Streets of Minneapolis – Single | 2026 | 1:54:30 |
