“Abraham, Martin and John” was written by Dick Holler and first released by Dion (DiMucci) in 1968. Neither Holler nor DiMucci were known for being particularly political in their music, but the assassination of Robert Kennedy inspired the question, delivered in a song.
Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye also recorded “Abraham, Martin and John.” Here’s a clip of Robinson singing it at the White House, followed by Gaye’s version, featuring full text of the lyrics.
Countless artists have performed or recorded variations on the song and it has more than once reached the charts; comedian Moms Mabley took it to number two. For those seeking further illumination on the relationship between the Kennedy brothers and Black America, read this.
Though the assassinations are no mystery, and 50 years later the grief lingers on, liberty and justice await, and hope is still awake in the song.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., video, "Abraham Martin and John, President Kennedy, Remembering JFK, Robert Kennedy, Songs About JFK Assassination, Songs for JFK, the good die young
Denise Sullivan 