SKU: A0.955825

African-American writer and civil rights activist James Weldon Johnson is perhaps best known as the author of Lift Every Voice and Sing, written on the occasion of Lincoln’s birthday and now known as the Black national anthem.  He established himself as a writer during the Harlem Renaissance (the African-American cultural movement in New York City in the 1920’s) for his poems, novels and anthologies. This poem Sence You Went Away creates the narrative of one who bemoans the loss of a loved one.  His bluesy poem features a southern dialect style.  It is written for 4-part male ensemble (TTBB) and is performed a capella. Performance time:2:00+  It is an apt introduction to Johnson’s work and most befitting for study during Black History month.

SKU: A0.1380063

Art song for medium-low voice and piano (Text by James Weldon Johnson).

SKU: A0.1379997

Art song for medium-high voice and piano (Text by James Weldon Johnson).

SKU: A0.506153

Concert Band arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing.

SKU: A0.965560

This arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing highlights the transcendent beauty of James Weldon Johnson's poetic text. It is suitable for any occasion that celebrates struggle and ultimate victory.

SKU: A0.751589

Often called The Black National Anthem the poetry was written by the NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson and later set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson. A piano accompaniment track mp3 is available separately at Sheet Music Plus - Item ID# S0.827311

SKU: A0.905711

Lift Every Voice and Sing was initially written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 and set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson in 1905 and has become known a national anthem for African-Americans. The initial hymn tune is intense with grandeur and immense hope. With this arrangement; I have set the music more somberly to reflect the seriousness of the text that speaks of the bitterness and anguish of America’s dark racial past that is still rampant today. This allows the listener to reflect on the text thoughtfully. Remarkably, I have heard this hymn many times throughout my lifetime both in predominantly Caucasian denominations and predominantly African-African American denominations and the differences in interpretation are fascinating. White congregations tend to sing this hymn spritely with great pomp and circumstance while the Black congregations tend to sing it more labored and meditative as if it were a dirge. I believe both interpretations are valid, but interesting given its context. This arrangement is written for medium-high voice, cello obbligato and piano accompaniment.

SKU: A0.1067536

This piano accompaniment track is the companion to Lift Every Voice and Sing - Violin Solo with Piano Accompaniment Sheet music available at sheet music plus - Item ID#S0.827309

Often called The Black National Anthem the poetry was written by the NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson and later set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson.