Johnson’s poem became known as “The Negro National Hymn” and was entered into the Congressional Record in 1990.
When jazz singer, Rene Marie, was invited to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the state of the city address in Denver on July 1, 2008, she accepted the invitation, agreeing to sing the national anthem. But she did not sing “The Star-Spangled Banner”; instead, she sang James Weldon Johnson’s 1899 poem/hymn titled “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Also, instead singing the Johnson hymn with its original melody, which was very beautifully written by his brother, she put the hymn’s words to the melody of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” is an outstanding, inspiring poem. It is sad that a jazz singer has chosen to denigrate the hymn, along with “The Star-Spangled Banner,” by her duplicity.
For an analysis of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” please see: “June Poet - James Weldon Johnson: Lift Every Voice and Sing ”
