VERSE 1

There is an arc, a moral compass charting freedom’s wax and wane.

Sometimes we’re startled how that arc allows some things hard to explain.

But when the cause we fight is right, no matter what we must persist.

That arc is long and bends toward justice when we resist.

VERSE 2

There is an arc, a moral compass charting freedom’s wax and wane.

Sometimes we’re startled how that arc allows some things hard to explain.

But when the cause we fight is pure, we can’t let go because we’re sure

That arc is long and bends toward justice when we endure.

REFRAIN

Oh, Oh, Oh, Selma has taught us how to persist, resist.

Selma has taught us how to protest, endure.

Selma has taught us how to fight hate, agitate,

Until the arc bends our way, until the arc bends our way,

(Until the) moral arc bends our way just like Selma.

VERSE 3

There is an arc, a moral compass charting freedom’s wax and wane.

Sometimes we’re startled how that arc allows some things hard to explain.

But when the cause we fight is hate, sometimes we can’t afford to wait.

That arc is long and bends toward justice when we agitate.

REFRAIN

VAMP

Until the arc bends our way...  (repeat as directed)

    Solo ad libs

    Until / Until... 

    We’ve gotta march on... / And we’ve gotta fight and pray.

    We gotta hold on... / ‘Cause we know God’s gonna make a way.

    We are soldiers... / Oh, yes, we are—in the army of Christ.

    We‘re gonna fight on, y‘all. / Hey! We’re gonna do until we die.

CODA

(Until the) moral arc bends our way just like Selma.

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© 2025, Nolan Williams, Jr. All rights secured. (ASCAP) NEW-J Publishing, a division of NEWorks Productions. NEWorks.us