When everything is finished in a world, the people go to look for what the artists leave. It’s the only thing that we have really in this world — is an ability to express ourselves and say, “I was here.” —Abbey Lincoln

Rest in peace, Abbey! Your artistry touched me very deeply during your journey here.

Abbey Lincoln / August 6, 1930 – August 14, 2010

(play streaming mp3 archive if you can’t access the play.fm widget)

I discovered an extraordinary video/animation on Youtube of Abbey, posted by yzopenyoureyes. It captures her spirit, beautifully!

Playlist:

• Garvey’s Ghost feat. Abbey Lincoln – Max Roach – Percussion Bitter Sweet [Impulse!]
• Tears For Johannesburg feat. Abbey Lincoln – Max Roach – We Insist! [Candid]
• Mr. Tambourine Man – Abbey Lincoln – Who Used To Dance [Verve]
• Africa – Abbey Lincoln – People In Me [Verve]
• Freedom Day feat. Abbey Lincoln – Max Roach – We Insist! [Candid]
• Lonesome Lover feat. Abbey Lincoln – Max Roach His Chorus & Orchestra – It’s Time [Verve]
• Whistling Away The Dark – Abbey Lincoln – Talking To The Sun [Enja]
• When Autumn Sings – Abbey Lincoln – Who Used To Dance [Verve]
• Midnight Sun – Abbey Lincoln – Wholly Earth [Verve]
• Let Up – Abbey Lincoln – Abbey Is Blue [Riverside]
• The Music Is The Magic – Abbey Lincoln – Devil’s Got Your Tongue [Verve]
• When Malindy Sings – Abbey Lincoln – Straight Ahead [Candid]
• And It’s Supposed To Be Love – Abbey Lincoln – Wholly Earth [Verve]
• And It’s Supposed to Be Love – Ayo – Joyful [Polydor]
• Wholly Earth – Abbey Lincoln – Wholly Earth [Verve]
• I Sing A Song – Abbey Lincoln – Who Used To Dance [Verve]
• For All We Know – Abbey Lincoln – You And I [Jazzfest]
• Left Alone – Abbey Lincoln – Straight Ahead [Candid]
• The River – Abbey Lincoln – Who Used To Dance [Verve]
• Story Of My Father – Abbey Lincoln – Devil’s Got Your Tongue [Verve]
• Long As You’re Living – Abbey Lincoln – Abbey Is Blue [Riverside]

Forgive me if I seem to preach
but there is something that I wanna say
a message that I hope will reach
people who are throwing life away
I call it my philosophy
that is why I pass it on to you
because it works so well for me
and helps me get away from strife
I hope you’ll listen carefully
They say the truth will make you free
and that’s the way you wanna be
cause, brother, this is your life

long as you’re living
always remember
time is for spending
but there’s an ending
while you are sleeping
lifetime is creeping
wake up and taste it
foolish to waste it
sample and savor
all of its flavor
long as you’re living

long as you’re living
always remember
folks who are lazy
are playing crazy
better keep moving
keep on improving
you won’t be hurried
after you’re buried
live every minute
put yourself in it
long as you’re living

long as you’re living
always remember
you’ll never beat life
don’t try to cheat life
all men are brothers
do unto others
love’s for enjoying
hate’s for destroying
never forget it
or you’ll regret it
long as you’re living

Forgive me if I seem to preach
but there was something that I had to say
a message that I hope will reach
people who are throwing life away
I call it my philosophy
that is why I pass it on to you
because it works so well for me
and helps me get away from strife
I hope you’ll listen carefully
They say the truth will make you free
and that’s the way you wanna be

cause, brother, this is your life!

written by Oscar Brown Jr.