Video by: DaveStewartOfficial
Video Description:
AMERICAN PRAYER SONG on iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=287966214 &s=143441
RINGTONE
http://www.myxer.com/CHANGE or text "CHANGE" to 69937 to get your "American Prayer" ringtone
FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT SONG
http://www.myamericanprayer.com
Earlier this year when I was recording American Prayer, a song I originally co-wrote with Bono, the phrase, "When you get to the top of the mountain, remember me" seemed to take on a whole new resonance, given the inspirational candidacy of Barack Obama. The song always contained one of my favorite passages from Dr. King, which was hauntingly delivered the night before he was assassinated. King says: "I just want to do God's will. And He's allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I've looked over. And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!" People long for a connection— whether it is to music, to their country, or to a big idea. Regardless of what happens in November, Senator Obama has reminded millions of people that they have the power to connect to bigger ideas. He is, in essence, the embodiment of a new anthem for change. He has continued King's narrative from what was once thought of as a dream to a reality. I find it especially relevant that Barack Obama will accept the Democratic Party Nomination for President 45 years to the day of King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
When we were originally writing the song, Bono was crafting the words in a way that would make people think about the fact that 'America' as a concept was a truly great idea, based on the bedrock of equality. I find it more pertinent than ever to release it now; to the moment America finds itself in, daring to re-imagine itself and its place in the world.
When I set out to make a video for the new version of this song, I wanted to honor all of those millions of people, especially young people, who are, for the first time, feeling empowered to voice their beliefs. I wanted to capture how Obama's message of change has echoed across the broad fabric of what is America. To do that, we've cast the film with an eclectic array of personalities, including Forest Whitaker, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg, Cyndi Lauper, Barry Manilow, Joan Baez, Macy Gray and Joss Stone. They appear alongside veterans, teachers and everyday citizens— all of whom have been touched by this simple idea of change. As an Englishman, I'm not an expert in all the intricate details of American politics. But as an artist, I understand how rare it is to inspire a connection to a bigger idea or purpose. This video isn't so much an endorsement of Barack Obama as much as it is a celebration of all those who have picked up a sign, who have registered to vote and are working to make the world a better place. So as Senator Barack Obama ascends to the mountain top, let us not forget all of the others who for the past 40 years have sung anthems of change to make this moment possible.
LYRICS
This is my American Prayer
This is my American Prayer
This is the time to finish what you started
And this is no time to dream
This is the room
We can turn off the dark tonight
Maybe then we might see
American Prayer
American Prayer
And this is the ground
That keeps our feet from getting wet
And this is the sky over our head
And what you see depends on where you stand
And how you jump will tell you where you're gonna land
American Prayer
American Prayer
My oh my
Couldn't get much higher
Lets not kick out the darkness
Make the light brighter
And these are the hands
What are we gonna build with them?
This is the church you can't see
Give me your tired, your poor and huddled masses
You know they're yearning to breathe free
This is my American Prayer
American Prayer
American Prayer
When you get to the top of the mountain
Will you tell me what you see
If you get to the top of the mountain
Remember me
LIST OF GUESTS IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
Dave Stewart
Forest Whitaker
Amy Keys
Macy Gray
Jason Alexander
Colbie Caillat
Whoopi Goldberg
Joss Stone
Buju Banton
Ann Marie Calhoun
Barry Manilow
Linda Perry
Cyndi Lauper
Sergio Mendes
Herbie Hancock
Mike Bradford
Margaret Cho
Cindy Gomez
Speech
Joan Baez
Daedelus
Pamela Anderson
Peter & Gordon
Sierra Swan
Nadirah X
Perez Hilton
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Tags: america anderson banton barack bono buju colbie dave forest goldberg gray hilton joss king luther macy martin obama pam perez politics prayer speech stewart stone u2 whitaker whoopi  american prayer dave stewart barack obama music video See more videos uploaded by DaveStewartOfficial

Comments for this video on YouTube

To me this man is ... ( 1 week ago by tobewithyouhoo)

To me this man is like a shooting star, Like a Messiah is born. Thank you people of the US of America for making this happen in our time. Big strong hugs to all of you from T. in Eu rope.

im portuguese and i ... ( 1 week ago by brunoalvesjap)

im portuguese and i can fell all amercicans, its a message for the all people all around of the world..... remember me... thamks

im so sick of these ... ( 1 week ago by livetime77)

im so sick of these stupid music videos ... about obama and the crowning of his affirmative action based presidency

so you're saying ... ( 1 week ago by jsoccerc1)

so you're saying because of affirmative action he was elected president? im sorry but you obviously dont know what your talking about.

Let us or me get ... ( 1 week ago by JJJZANESVILLE2)

Let us or me get more specific here. We, and I, in the US have elected a man. This man is well educated, and intelligent. He objected to the worse decision made by our government in the last 20 years or so. He, to all we can fairly attest, is cool, calm and collected. Let's give him a chance. I, personally, think we may have elected a once in a few decades (lifetime) person of redoubt. Look that up in your Funk and Wagnall. And sign up for hope and change, girls and boys.

And....I just want ... ( 1 week ago by JJJZANESVILLE2)

And....I just want to say, state, be happy to exude...happiness. Goddamn happiness. Can't we all just get along? Yeswecan.

I feel sorry for ... ( 1 week ago by princessjenwhite)

I feel sorry for all of the people who posted negative comments. I don't "worship" Obama, he gives me hope for a better future for my children and my future generations. He gives us all hope for a better future, not just economically, but nationally, globally, and racially. When so many can sing for, celebrate with, and pray for the same thing for the first time in such a long time, it speaks volumes. Anger is wasted energy. Hope prevails.

Why shouldn't ... ( 1 week ago by princessjenwhite)

Why shouldn't religion be added in? It obviously was written by people who have religious beliefs, which gives them the right to portray thier hope however they choose. Guess I'm tired of how the majority has become the minority because people are afraid of stepping on others toes when it comes to religious beliefs. Make a video of your own without "prayer" in it, and let those of us who believe celebrate in our own manner.

And Republicans act ... ( 1 week ago by crixxxxxxxxx)

And Republicans act really Christ-like when they rush to war and kill hundreds of thousands, ignore the poor, allow God's creation to be destroyed, engage in corruption and run the most sleazy campaigns out there. Who exactly do you think would Jesus want to bomb if he were here today? The idea that Republicans are "more Christian" than Democrats is a myth designed to sway the Christian voting block. Maybe you might actually try to compare the GOP agenda to the teachings of Jesus.

But, of course, the ... ( 1 week ago by crixxxxxxxxx)

But, of course, the only issues of morality that matter to conservative Christians is abortion and gay rights, two issues that Christ said absolutley nothing about. Abortion has not been stopped despite having pro-life Republicans in power for the majority of the last 35 years, and they are more responsible for the conditions that result in abortions out of the desperation of women in poverty.

How can anyone call ... ( 1 week ago by crixxxxxxxxx)

How can anyone call themselves "Christian" when they ignore and contradict the basic philosopies of Jesus Christ? Conservative Christianity has replaced the teachings of Jesus with right wing political agenda, which is completely contradictory, and yet they still claim to be followers of Jesus. They twist the Christian faith to justify the right wing chracteristics of power, greed, wealth and self-centeredness. A man cannot serve two masters.

I agree with you, ... ( 1 week ago by uriykir)

I agree with you, thats why both parties are terrible. Im Technichally republican but i dont agree with war and with the death penalty. we have no right to choose who dies and lives, let God judge them.

my comments are ... ( 1 week ago by hapicheri)

my comments are being blocked. look at his new site c h a n g e . g o v - the section is called america serves Amendment XIII Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. change = reinstitution of the draft. involuntary service.

Bless us all, we ... ( 1 week ago by lasarelight)

Bless us all, we are all so ready to know the love that we ARE

What a bunch hype! ( 1 week ago by LunasAzules)

What a bunch hype!

barrack obama is ... ( 1 week ago by gingerlives)

barrack obama is set to be the most unpopular president of all time. The world is heading for depression and h wants to grow some national homeland military force with equal invest to the military. Sounds very Nazi esc Some people are pronouncing obama as the savior, well thats gonna spell trouble dont u think????

you know why you're ... ( 1 week ago by mike7743)

you know why you're stupid? Affirmative Actions doesn't mean when people vote. but then again you're probably are a product of inbreeding and I don't expect you to be smart.

how did he get into ... ( 1 week ago by livetime77)

how did he get into harvard? thanks for playing.

The two party ... ( 1 week ago by Sauk199)

The two party system doesn't work. Both sides are to extrem. Just like some of these comments. Obama is NOT God but he's not Satan so get over yourselves people and just a pill. P.S I love this song. Doesn't mean I love the video but this song is just so uplifting.

Found this about a ... ( 6 days ago by tolerford)

Found this about a week before the election. Forrest Whitaker's soul shows. Beyond that, every detail speaks all the way down to my bone marrow.

i love this. obama ... ( 6 days ago by alessandraszul)

i love this. obama <3 there isn't much a point of complaining, because he is our president elect.

let's just wait ... ( 4 days ago by migkillertwo)

let's just wait until AFTER he fucks up everything before bashing him.

yes, hes gonna ... ( 4 days ago by angelboi101)

yes, hes gonna inherit a country in peril.. but the unpopular presidents are the ones who GOT US INTO the messes.. not the ones who try to clean up after the fact.. bush will always be remembered as the f*uck up. no one else.

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