Lift every voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

proclaiming “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” to be “the Negro national anthem.” This informal designation both reflected the song’s popularity in African American schools, organizations, and churches, and ensured that it would take on new meanings as black migrants spread across the nation and extended campaigns for equal rights.

That version began to circulate taped in the back covers of hymnals in black churches, and it was adopted as “the Negro National Anthem” by the NAACP in 1919.

Authoritative information about the hymn text Lift Every Voice and Sing, with lyrics, audio recordings, MIDI files, printable scores, PDF files, piano resources, and products for worship planners.

e way; Thou who hast by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we meet Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world we forget .

Read and listen to the lyrics here to understand its message of courage, faith and hope. Lift ev’ry voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, high as the list’ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Often referred to as "The Black National Anthem," Lift Every Voice and Sing was a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. His brother, John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954), composed the music for the lyrics.

For over a century, the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” has served as an anthem for Black communities. Its lyrics both recognize our nation’s troubled past with race relations and celebrate the hope of a brighter future.