“Were You There” Reimagined, by Vontril and Alexandria McLemore

Vontril and Alexandria McLemore, ministry partners of The Gathering, A Womanist Church, created timely new lyrics to the traditional African American spiritual “Were You There.” These lyrics take on urgent meaning during the current trial of the man who murdered George Floyd. These compelling lyrics remind us of the unspeakable violence against Black people since our country stole them from their lands and enslaved them for centuries, and then continued to oppress, assault, murder, abuse, and discriminate against them. Black persons still suffer far more from police brutality, our criminal justice system, and voter suppression than white persons.

This dynamic mother-daughter duo sang this powerful reimagined version of “Were You There” at a New Wineskins Community gathering, and we were all deeply moved. The final stanza is a rousing call to action for all of us.

Were You There

Were you there when they stole us from our lands? Were are you there?
Were you there when they said we weren’t human? Where you there?
Oh, oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they stole us from our lands? Were you there?

Where you there when we landed on the docks? Were you there?
Were you there when we appeared in terror and shock? Were you there?
0h, oh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when we landed on the docks? Were you there?

Were you there when they beat us with the lash? Were you there?
Were you there when we were stripped and sold for cash? Were you there?
Oh, oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!!
Were you there when we were stripped and sold for cash Were you there??

Were you there when they hung us from the tree? Were you there?
Were you there, if so why didn’t you rescue me? Were you there?
Oh, oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there when they hung us from the tree?? Were you there?

Were you there when we were raped and commodified? Were you there?
Were you there as generations of us died? Were you there??
Oh, oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!
Were you there as we were raped and commodified? Were you there?

Were you there when we lamented with no escape? Were you there?
Were you there when we maintained our ancestors faith? Were you there?
Oh, oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble tremble!!
Were you there when we lamented with no escape? Were you there?

Were you there when he killed me under his knee? Were you there?
Were you one of those who pleaded for mercy for me? Were you there??
Oh, oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble,tremble?
Were you there when he killed me under his knee? Were you there?

Were you there when they stripped away our rights? Were you there?
Will you be there with us as we continue to fight? Will you be there?
Oh, oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!!!
Will you be there with us as we continue to fight? Will you be there??

Ase and amen!!!

Words © 2021 Vontril and Alexandria McLeMore