You Can Be Like Martin

A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By: Mildred D. Johnson

Martin was a peaceful boy,

And peaceful when a man.

He wanted peace for everyone

All throughout our land.

You can be a peaceful child,

Even a peaceful man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin was an intelligent boy,

Intelligent when a man.

He wanted good schools for everyone

All throughout our land.

You can be an intelligent child,

Even an intelligent man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin was a proud boy,

And proud when he ‘came a man.

He tried to teach pride to Black people,

All throughout our land.

You can be a proud child,

Even a proud man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin was a reading boy,

Kept reading when a man.

He knew good readers were needed,

All throughout our land.

You can be a reader,

Read on when you’re a man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin was a speaking boy,

Kept speaking when a man.

His words touched many listeners

All throughout our land.

You can be a speaker,

Speak on when you’re a man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin was a praying boy,

How he prayed when he was a man.

He prayed that men would do right deeds,

All throughout our land.

You can pray in your own way,

Pray more when you’re a man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin had a dream, you know,

That all people would be free,

To live and work together,

In a country filled with peace.

You can be a dreamer,

Keep dreaming when you’re a man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin Luther King was a warrior of love,

A kind and loving man.

He wanted all to be loving,

All throughout our land.

You can be kind and loving

Grow to a loving man.

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!

Martin Luther King sang, “We Shall Overcome,”

Sang it throughout our land.

You can overcome, my children,

Yes, you can!

You can be like Martin,

Yes, you can!