![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Noelle Morrissette, the author of "James Weldon Johnson's Modern Soundscapes," and the editor of two other books on Johnson's life, said Johnson was originally invited to speak at the event but felt a more lyrical inspiration that became the song. “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” (sometimes written as “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”) was created as a poem in 1900 by writer and activist James Weldon Johnson for a program in Jacksonville, Florida, to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. I feel an intense bond and a divine connection with voices present, past and future.” When the music begins, and people stand together to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” I experience both sadness and happiness. “This song is also about love for our country and each other. “Singing to God was an opportunity for African-Americans to share a proud history and hopeful perspective,” said Karen Lowery, daughter of civil rights icon Joseph Lowery and director of music and arts at Cascade United Methodist Church. So powerful is the song that it is often referred to as the “Black National Anthem,” although its composer referred to it simply as a hymn. ![]() Composed more than a century ago, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” came along after Reconstruction, when a newly awakened black race was searching for an identity - just as Jim Crow was replacing slavery. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |