Penned by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938), a poet, author and activist affiliated with the Harlem Renaissance, and set to music ... lyrics are surprisingly optimistic: “Lift every voice and ...

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” has inspired countless people ... John Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954), composed the music. The song was first performed publicly in Jacksonville, Florida, to ...

"Lift Every Voice and Sing" is a hymn with lyrics written by James Weldon Johnson ... Johnson's brother composed the music for the hymn, which was initially written as a poem.