The Lesser-Known History Behind The ‘Black National Anthem

open song book with lyrics
Via Wikimedia Commons
Abeni Jones
November 6, 2022

Beyoncé looked at the crowd. The song pouring from her was more than an anthem—it was a battle cry. “Lift every voice and sing…” 

We know this is our National Anthem, but many of us don’t know this hidden history behind it.

Will you still sing along once you do?

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” was a poem written by NAACP leader, James Johnson, in 1899. Later Johnson’s brother, John, composed it into the song we sing today. 

The brother’s wanted to celebrate our people, simultaneously criticizing racism as America shifted from slavery into Jim Crow.

The song was first performed by 500 Black children at the Stanton School, where James Johnson was principal. Shockingly though, their performance was in honor of President Lincoln.

While Lincoln technically emancipated those enslaved, we mustn’t forget he believed in white superiority and originally never intended to free our ancestors. 

So why celebrate him in this way?

 “Facing the rising sun of our new day begun. Let us march on 'til victory is won.” Say it with your chest. Liberation is our birthright.

In moments you feel lost, return to the anthem written for us, by us.

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