Sunday Supper: 07/05/20

In this fragile moment in our democracy, we can't celebrate the 4th of July in the usual fashion, so this week's "Sunday Supper" presents a different kind of patriotism. Jumping off from Jean Rohe's stirring "National Anthem: Arise! Arise!" we'll hear songs that exhort us to rise up, from Jack's Waterfall, Ben Harper, Roger Street Friedman, Lara Herscovitch, and Emma's Revolution.

The Nields update the words to "America the Beautiful" on their new album November, while Martyn Joseph and Tracy Chapman use the words of Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan to describe social change. And speaking of change, Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" has never been more timely. Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway provide their heartfelt rendition of it, and Dion invokes a "Song for Sam Cooke (Made in America)" with help from Paul Simon on his outstanding new album, Blues with Friends. Whither democracy? Leonard Cohen had his sense of direction, and so does Travis Knapp.

Make all your fireworks musical from 5-6 p.m. EDT at 90.7 FM and wfuv.org or on demand in the WFUV Weekend Archives, on the WFUV app or in your star-spangled smart speaker.

Photo by Don Godlis