Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Black National Anthem
By Arizona Coffea Editorial Team
Updated Feb. 19, 2024
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”, often referred to as the Black National Anthem, holds a profound place in American history. Let us share its story and significance:
Origins and Composition:
Written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson in 1900, it was later set to music by his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson.
The song was first performed not long after its creation.
In 1919, the NAACP officially designated it as the Black national anthem, more than a decade before “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the national anthem.
Civil Rights Movement:
During the civil rights movement, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” gained popularity.
It became a powerful rallying cry for justice, hope, and resilience.
Crowds even sang it following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Super Bowl Tradition:
Since 2020, the NFL has included the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before the Super Bowl.
This tradition began in response to racial and social justice protests in the United States after the death of George Floyd.
The NFL committed to singing it before “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Week 1 of each season.
Unity and Equality:
The hymn serves as a history lesson, a pledge of unity, and a reminder of the ongoing fight for equality.
Its lyrics resonate with hope and justice, making it an ever-present refrain for those who gather to advocate for change.
Lyrics:
Lift ev’ry voice and sing,
‘Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on ’til victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
‘Til now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.