The University of Arkansas Inspirational Chorale recently virtually recorded the song "I Dream" to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy.

With words and music by Florence Roach, the arrangement was composed by Rod Vester and Jeffrey Allen Murdock, director of the Inspirational Chorale.

The song's lyrics include:

I dream of a world with no hatred or strife.
I dream of a world that respects human life.
Oh, I dream of a world... dream of a world full of love.

I dream of a world with no hurt and no pain.
I dream of a world where all men are the same.
Oh, I dream of a world... dream of a world full of love.

I dream of a world with no terror or fear.
I dream of a world where God wipes every tear.
Oh, I dream of a world... dream of a world full of love.

"Dr. King had a dream," Murdock said. "And we are still dreaming and proud to honor him during MLK Day, and also Black History Month, which is a wonderful time for celebrating the multitude of achievements of African Americans."

Murdock said the Inspirational Chorale initially began in 1977 as the primary diversity initiative on the U of A campus, providing a place for students of color to come, sing, and fellowship with one another in their home away from home.

Now, the Inspirational Chorale, both a registered student organization and a choral ensemble, consists of more than 60 members of all ethnic backgrounds and languages, and its primary mission is to keep the Black sacred music tradition alive and relevant within today's culture. 

The Inspirational Chorale typically performs several times throughout the semester on campus at various events within the Northwest Arkansas community, and all around the world.

"Our ensemble provides a fantastic forum where university students, regardless of ethnicity, can perform the various genres of the tradition," he said. "As our Inspirational Chorale motto goes, 'we aspire to inspire'!"

Visit the Department of Music online for more information about the Inspirational Chorale and all the U of A's choral programs and follow the Inspirational Chorale on Instagram and Facebook.