When I took this photo at an art museum in Jacksonville, Florida, several years ago, I had no idea of the depth of the meaning of the song. It’s known as the Black National Anthem. The song was initially composed to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, but quickly became popular in Black communities. It was adopted by the NAACP in 1919 for its powerful lyrics about resistance and hope. Consequently, it resonated with those involved in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s.
The song celebrates its 125th Anniversary this year. I was happy to learn that “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is in our church hymnal. Sheryl Lee Ralph performed my favorite rendition of the song at Super Bowl LVII. You can look it up on YouTube, as I am not permitted to post it here.
© Bruce Stambaugh 2025
Roadkill Crossing 
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