The 2020 Democratic National Convention came to a close on Thursday night as John Legend and Common performed “Glory” in memory of Civil Rights activist John Lewis.
“Glory” comes from the 2014 film Selma, which chronicled the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches in which Lewis participated alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and many other leaders. The song earned a host of accolades, including the Academy Award for “Best Original Song” as well as a Grammy for “Best Song Written for Visual Media.”
The stirring performance found Legend alone on a dimly lit stage in an empty theater, seated behind his grand piano. As the song began to build, the camera panned up to a heavenly choir performing on the balcony, and eventually over to Common rapping in the wings. With the inspiring chorus “One day when the glory comes/It will be ours, it will be ours/Oh one day when the war is won/We will be sure, we will be sure,” the musicians conjured the image of a time when racial injustice will end. It was imagined by King, it was imagined by Lewis, and now Common and Legend are keeping the dream alive.
Watch John Legend and Common perform “Glory” to mark the end of the 2020 Democratic National Convention.
John Legend, Common – “Glory”
[Video: PBS NewsHour]