The curious beauty of African music is that it uplifts even as it tells a sad tale. You may be poor, you may have only a ramshackle house, you may have lost your job, but that song gives you hope.

I was hopeless, now I'm on Hope Road.

We live in hope of deliverance from the darkness that surrounds us.

Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin. Now, they are so subtle, they can milk you with two notes. They can make you feel like they told you the whole universe. But I don't know that yet. All I got now is strength. Maybe if I keep singing, maybe I'll get it.

If we hold on together I know our dreams will never die. Dreams see us through to forever. Where clouds roll by for you and I.

Lose your dreams and you might lose your mind.