Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal civil rights activist who fought for racial equality in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. To honor his legacy and teach young children about his message of peace, love, and unity, many preschools and elementary schools teach songs about Dr. King. This page contains 12 fun preschool songs set to familiar tunes that celebrate the life and dreams of Martin Luther King Jr. Through upbeat melodies and simple lyrics, children can learn about this iconic historical figure in a developmentally appropriate way. These songs cover topics like Dr. King’s dream of harmony and brotherhood, his Nobel Peace Prize, and the importance of keeping his vision for a just world alive.
Dr King Had a Dream
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Old MacDonald”
Dr. King had a dream for p-e-a-c-e.
He wanted people to be friends and live in harmony.
He had lots of love to share.
He spread kindness everywhere!
Dr. King had a dream for p-e-a-c-e!
Friends
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Jingle Bells”
Friends hold hands, Friends hold hands
Friends hold hands and smile.
All our classmates are our friends.
Let’s sing with them a while.
Martin Luther King
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Yankee Doodle”
Dr. King was a man
Who came from Atlanta Georgia.
Had a dream that he preached
For all men to be equal.
Dr King was so brave
Martin was a hero.
Won the fight for everyone
To end discrimination.
Freedom, Freedom Let it Ring
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
Freedom, Freedom let it ring
“Let it ring”, said Dr King
Let us live in harmony
Peace and love for you and me
Freedom freedom let it ring
“Let it ring”, said Dr King.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Yankee Doodle”
Dr. King was a man
Who had a special dream.
He dreamed of a world filled with love
And peace and harmony.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King,
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday, Dr. King.
We love you, yes, we do.
A Man Named King
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore”
Once there was a man named King, Alleluia;
They called him Martin Luther King, Alleluia I don’t know from where
King was wise and he was good, Alleluia this came from?
He believed in brotherhood, Alleluia
He had a dream for you and me, Alleluia
He knew that sill men must be free Alleluia
The freedom road is weary and long Alleluia
But Martin sang a freedom son, Alleluia
We must keep the dream alive, Alleluia
Freedom’s song can never die, Alleluia
Once there was a man named King Alleluia
They called him Martin Luther King, Alleluia
FREE AT LAST
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “This Old Man”
This young man had a dream; In his eye he had a gleam.
We must love each other to survey; Let us keep his dream alive.
He believed man was good; He had dreams of brotherhood.
We must love each other to survive; Let us keep his dream alive.
All join hands, let us sing; Let the bells of freedom ring.
We must love each other to survive; Let us keep his dream alive.
We can learn from the past; Then we’ll all be “FREE AT LAST!”
We must love each other to survive; Let us keep his dream alive.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Kum Ba Yah”
Martin Luther King had a plan
Of equality for every man.
Had a dream that we all could
Make a world of brotherhood.
Dr. King knew it was not too late
To erase the prejudice of hate.
Judge a man by his character
And not by his skin color.
He was killed, but his dream lives on
At “the threshold of a new dawn.”
He said, “Use the weapon of love”
And be peaceful like the dove.
Martin Luther King
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary Had A Little Lamb”
Who was Martin Luther King,
Luther King, Luther King?
He was a man who had a dream
That we would all be free.
Martin Luther gave a speech,
Gave a speech, gave a speech.
He wanted all of us to live
In peace and harmony.
He won the Nobel Prize for Peace,
Prize for Peace, Prize for Peace,
For his love for all the world
And for you and me.
Brotherhood
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Mary Had A Little Lamb”
Brotherhood for you and me,
You and me, you and me.
Brotherhood for you and me,
Taught Martin Luther King.
We should live in harmony,
Harmony, harmony.
We should live in harmony,
Taught Martin Luther King.
He Dreamed of World Peace
Original Author: Unknown
Sung to: “Muffin Man”
Do you know whose birthday’s today,
Birthday’s today, birthday’s today?
Do you know whose birthday’s today?
It’s Martin Luther King’s
He dreamed of world peace,
Of world peace, of world peace.
He dreamed of world peace.
Let’s honor him today!