Juneteenth, I know many people don't know what Juneteenth is
Let me give you a second so you can understand
What Juneteenth is, and— on June nineteenth
Alright, in— in— in 1865, everybody was supposed to be free, but there was, uh
Some people who didn't know they were free
In Texas, the people of Texas
They— They— They didn't know slavery was over
So if everybody's not free, then nobody's free, amen?
And so on July fourth
There were certain people who could not celebrate independence
Their independence came on June nineteenth
And so we can sit here and say
"Man, we love the freedom that we get to experience as believers"
But there's certain people out there that— that don't have the freedom that we get to experience
And we want them to experience that as well
Well, in 1865, everybody needed to experience the freedom
That they should have gotten and they didn't get that
And so in this day and age, we wanna celebrate everyone's freedom
We wanna celebrate the reality that God created us equal
That we are all humanity
That we are all God's children
And we all deserve to enjoy, to taste and see that God is good
Nobody should have that deprived of them
And so that's why we're here today
We're here to celebrate the reality that, man, God's people were set free
They were set free
Goodness and mercy pursued them and they were set free
They were liberated and that's something that we celebrate
If we can celebrate July fourth, we got to celebrate Juneteenth
And so, y'all, it— it's so much bigger than that
Because we're not just celebrating days
We're celebrating that image-bearers
People made in the image of God
Could now now taste and see how good God is
Could now dance in the streets together, hold hands
And it— it wasn't complete freedom
It— It obviously takes a minute
But we're still here today to work toward that reality
We're here today to celebrate what our ancestors couldn't celebrate, right?
And we're here today to celebrate a— a bigger reality
That even though some of us have been removed from slavery in an instant
That sometimes it takes a lifetime to get the slavery out of us
Sometimes that mentality still has to be removed from us
And— And— And there are people here today
Black and brown faces, who need to believe that they are free
That they— That they have the same rights, the same liberty that God has given everybody
And you know how they experience that?
By— By love being demonstrated, by empathy being demonstrated
By graciousness being demonstrated, by everyone being treated as God's image-bearers
"Side A: Juneteenth Intro" by Maverick City Music is a powerful and timely song that seeks to educate and celebrate the significance of Juneteenth. Juneteenth, as explained in the song, commemorates the day in 1865 when the enslaved people in Texas finally learned of their freedom, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The song beautifully captures the essence of this historic event and calls for unity and the recognition of everyone's freedom as children of God.
The lyrics of the song reflect the heart behind Juneteenth and the desire for all people to experience true freedom. The opening lines explain the historical context of Juneteenth, highlighting the fact that not everyone knew they were free on July 4th, the day of American independence. This reminder challenges us to recognize that true freedom is not fully realized until all are liberated.
The song also emphasizes the importance of celebrating everyone's freedom and the equality that God has bestowed upon all humanity. It acknowledges that every person, regardless of their race or background, is made in the image of God and deserves to taste and see the goodness of God. This celebration of freedom is not limited to one specific day but serves as a call to continually work towards a society where everyone is treated as equal and valued.
Scripture verses that relate to the theme of the song include Galatians 3:28, which states, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse affirms the equality of all believers in Christ, regardless of their social status or background. The song echoes this sentiment, calling for unity and the recognition that we are all God's children deserving of freedom.
The inspiration behind "Side A: Juneteenth Intro" is rooted in the historical significance of Juneteenth itself. The song seeks to educate listeners about this important day in African American history and foster a sense of empathy and understanding. By acknowledging the struggles of the past and the ongoing fight for equality, the song encourages listeners to actively work towards a society where all are free and valued.
The musical style of Maverick City Music adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the song. The blend of gospel, worship, and contemporary elements creates a powerful and engaging listening experience. The song's heartfelt vocals and uplifting melodies serve as a reminder of the hope and joy that can be found in the midst of the struggle for freedom.
In conclusion, "Side A: Juneteenth Intro" by Maverick City Music is a remarkable song that celebrates the significance of Juneteenth and calls for unity, equality, and the recognition of everyone's freedom. It reminds us of the ongoing fight for justice and encourages listeners to actively work towards a society where all are treated as God's image-bearers. May this song inspire us to embrace true freedom and to extend love and empathy to all.
