On March 12, 2022 at the Georgia World Congress Center, Ambassador Andrew Young, the first African American Ambassador to the United Nations, celebrated his 90th birthday.

"The Jericho Road" is a a song based on a favorite topic of discussion between Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Ambassador Andrew Young - how to balance staying the course of planned service with responding to those in immediate need along the way.

The Jericho Road

There's a beggar at the crossroads
Stretching forth his hands
Begging you to save him
Give all that you can
His face is pinched and haggard
You can feel his pain
Do you stop and help him
Or turn the other way?

It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
Paved with love and understanding

We know that we can never help every soul we meet
And it hurts the heart to know that when we lay our heads to sleep
We do our best to pass along our courage, hopes and dreams
To our children, friends and neighbors and that beggar on the street

It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
Paved with love and understanding

We're all in the hands of God
And it's His grace and mercy
That helps us to carry on
Heavenly and earthly

It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
Paved with love and understanding

It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
It takes love to pave that Jericho Road
Paved with love and understanding

words and music by Amanda Colleen Williams with input from Ambassador Young.

This is the fourth time I have been invited to perform at Ambassador's birthday galas, starting at his 75th. On his 83rd, Ambassador gave me a piece of advice that has helped to shape my life and service for the better. I'll share it with you here -

As Ambassador put it:

You can't stop and help every lost soul on the road to Jericho. You are ordained and expected at your destination, and you owe it to those waiting for you to get there without delay. Of course, you love all upon that way. You can always come back and help others when you are finished with your appointed duty. Sometimes the best way to help others is by changing that Jericho Road, by making it a better, safer place. You help everyone by changing the road. The way to change that Jericho Road is to pave it with Love and understanding.

Learn more on my website here: https://www.amandacolleenwilliams.com...

Visit Ambassador Young's Foundation website here: https://www.andrewyoung.org/

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