Lift Every Voice and Sing: Selected Poems

By James Weldon Johnson

Book Overview

This selection of more than forty poems from a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance includes both uncompromising indictments of racial injustice and celebrations of the triumphs of African-Americans. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 014118387X
• ISBN13: 9780141183879
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Important History for Black Children

When I was in high school, I made a point of memorizing the words of all three verses of "Lift Every Voice and Sing". We must never forget our history, and be ever joyful of the opportunities of today and tomorrow. If you have never heard this song before, you can find the 1st and 3rd verses sung on the 2nd CD in the 3 CD set "100 Best Loved Hymns". The choir is likely an all-white choir, and I think the 2nd verse was just to painful for them to sing. However, we should remember the pain of American slavery, and vow to never let such ugliness occur again. We must know our history in order to move forward as a nation.

Beautiful

The book was just what we needed as our choir director is working with the children of the church. She was so thrilled when I gave it to her as she said she would be able to present the music in a way that they will be able to learn.