If There Ain't Room
Hymn composed by
Melissa JeterContextual information
From Melissa:
“If There Ain’t Room (Room for Me and You)” is a song about including everyone in Beloved Community.
I composed this song thinking about how I wanted to take my beloved companion with me everywhere I went. But dogs are not allowed in some public spaces or hotels. However, as I continued to work on the song, I started to think about all the people in my life and whether they would be welcomed—just as they are—in the many places I go. Would my brother, a 6’1” tall Black man with dark skin and a very muscular body, be welcome to speak the truth of his life? Would he be treated with inherent worth and dignity or be patronized and tolerated? Would my friends who love each other be welcomed? Would women, artists, scholars, and so many more be welcomed to speak, to live, to enact policies and movements to organize their lives for their own benefit? I rooted these questions in Love.
From David:
“If There Ain't Room” is a spiritual anthem that calls us to Widen the Circle of Unitarian Universalism. It was first performed at the First Unitarian Church of Toledo, OH on April 2, 2023.
From Melissa:
“If There Ain’t Room (Room for Me and You)” is a song about including everyone in Beloved Community.
I composed this song thinking about how I wanted to take my beloved companion with me everywhere I went. But dogs are not allowed in some public spaces or hotels. However, as I continued to work on the song, I started to think about all the people in my life and whether they would be welcomed—just as they are—in the many places I go. Would my brother, a 6’1” tall Black man with dark skin and a very muscular body, be welcome to speak the truth of his life? Would he be treated with inherent worth and dignity or be patronized and tolerated? Would my friends who love each other be welcomed? Would women, artists, scholars, and so many more be welcomed to speak, to live, to enact policies and movements to organize their lives for their own benefit? I rooted these questions in Love.
From David:
“If There Ain't Room” is a spiritual anthem that calls us to Widen the Circle of Unitarian Universalism. It was first performed at the First Unitarian Church of Toledo, OH on April 2, 2023.
Tune Name
[If There Ain't Room]
Tune Name
Text Meter
Irregular
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Melissa JeterHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Melissa Jeter (she/her) is a vocalist, songwriter, member/Seminarian/Student Minister at First Unitarian Church of Toledo, OH; member of DRUUMM; Board member of Sister Souurce.
Lyricist Background information
Melissa Jeter (she/her) is a vocalist, songwriter, member/Seminarian/Student Minister at First Unitarian Church of Toledo, OH; member of DRUUMM; Board member of Sister Souurce.
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
If there ain't room for me
If there ain't room for you
If there ain't room for me and you
that ain't the space for me
that ain't the place for "We"
If there ain't room for me and you.
People talk inclusivity
inherent worth and dignity.
So you gotta make room for this faith to grow on.
'Cause if there ain't room for me
that ain't the space for "we."
You gotta make room for this faith to grow on.
If my neighbor can't go
If the stranger can't go
If the neighbor and the stranger can't go.
That ain't the place for me
That ain't the space for "we."
Siding with love is the way for you and me.
People who love, make room
Siding with Love they will make room.
For Beloved community
That is the place for me.
Siding with love make room
widen up the circle make room
That is the space for me and you.
That is the space for me and you.
You gotta make room for we.
Resources
Music XML and MEI and MIDI and Musescore files