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 http://davestewart.com/