March 24 2026
James Kahn - Cold Dawn
Single and Video
For over a century, we have heard the African-American spiritual and hymn of resistance, “Gospel Plow,” with its famous refrain, “ Oh Lord, oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.” It has long been one of many hymns for the oppressed. Now, just in time for the massive No Kings demonstrations, which will be held on March 28, we have a song of resistance and optimism from author, screenwriter, doctor, TV-producer, and singer-songwriter James Kahn entitled “Cold Dawn.” It too has a similar refrain, “Hold on, hold on in the cold dawn/Hold on, gonna turn this thing ‘round in the cold dawn.”
Inspired by Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, the single’s accompanying video marries much of that footage with other aspects of holding on, such as rock climbing or clinging for support during a flood. Like so many of us, Khan is enraged, witnessing these dark times of an ever-encroaching police state when masked secret police kill and injure innocent people who were only trying to help their neighbors. That may well be the main focus and takeaway from the video, along with images of Nazi fascism during WWII. Yet, there are way too many examples of criminality to be included in the video, or certainly in a four-minute song. The song itself, not the video, doesn’t even begin to capture the cover-ups, the lies, and now a war devoid of any strategy or exit plan. Yet, the message is clear: If we stand together, we can get through this period.
So many of us can no longer watch the news. Kahn centers on the fact that we cannot allow ourselves to be passive, paralyzed, or seemingly immune to this demise of democracy. We need to band together as the people of Minneapolis did, honored by winning the John F. Kennedy Profile of Courage Award. The last two verses of the song, though written before 2026’s events, seem to capture that spirit of Minneapolis. Here’s the fourth verse: “Lookin’ to rise tall/Ain’t gonna take the fall for no land baron/Come on, hear me call, gimme shelter for all/All you gotta do is keep on carin’.”
Just as the people of Minneapolis showed us that community and peaceful resistance ultimately won, we too can persevere in the same way. Get inspired, watch the video HERE
Jim Hynes is an independent contributor on music for several magazines, including Elmore and Country Standard Time. He has also written for Variety. He was a listener-supported public station(s) radio host for 25 years in CT, MI, NJ and PA. He is also a Live music host/Emcee at several national and regional venues.