I saw this today.

[sheshe2]

I was in an Episcopal Church today for my great nieces first communion. No, not much of a believer for a long time, yet active from a young age through college.

The cover caught my eye, it was so colorful. Picked it up and saw it was an African American Hymnal. I started reading the preface, which I have tried to find to post to you here. It was an amazing read of the history of this hymnal, which is your history. I was pleased to see the hymnal in every pew.




There is much at this link:https://books.google.com/books?id=UrI8HE9DQWIC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African American Hymnal

This collection was published in 1993 by the Church Hymnal Corporation as a supplement to The Hymnal 1982. It contains 234 hymns and songs, and thirty-six selections of service music for the Holy Eucharist. The music is drawn from the following genres: Negro spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel songs, adapted Protestant hymns, missionary and evangelistic hymns, and service music and Mass settings in both traditional and gospel styles. The Episcopal Commission for Black Ministries developed the book with the Rt. Rev. Arthur B. Williams, Jr., former Suffragan Bishop of Ohio, as chair of the editorial board. Dr. Horace Clarence Boyer was general editor, and Dr. Carl Haywood was service music editor. The volume was dedicated to the Rev. Curtis Winfield Sisco, Jr. (1958-1992), who was liturgical editor.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/lift-every-voice-and-sing-ii-african-american-hymnal

.....................................................


Lift Every Voice and Sing

Many people are surprised to learn that "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was first written as a poem. Created by James Weldon Johnson, it was performed for the first time by 500 school children in celebration of President Lincoln's Birthday on February 12, 1900 in Jacksonville, FL. The poem was set to music by Johnson's brother, John Rosamond Johnson, and soon adopted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as its official song. Today “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is one of the most cherished songs of the African American Civil Rights Movement and is often referred to as the Black National Anthem.

Read the lyrics from "Lift Every Voice and Sing" below.

http://www.pbs.org/black-culture/explore/black-authors-spoken-word-poetry/lift-every-voice-and-sing/

Please tell me more.

[Thinkingabout]

1. It is interesting to read. there is a history in old hymns.

[sheshe2]

2. I wish I could tell you what I read in the preface.

It was an outstanding history of the black clergy that developed it. Some from Massachusetts.

There was one part, that during the civil rights era, black women would come home from church, take off their gloves and hates and sing the hymns they were meant to be sung.

I was suppose to be paying attention to the service, so I was only scanning.

[Number23]

3. That song cannot be heard without an avalanche of personal feelings

It resonates with me much more than We Shall Overcome.

[sheshe2]

4. It resonates for me as well....

differently of course.

Hey. What about that hymnal? I was shocked and pleased to see it. It was beautiful.

Best~
sheshe

[Jitter65]

7. It means much more to me than "We Shall Overcome" The woed are powerful

and heartbreaking at once.

[JustAnotherGen]

9. My father's beautiful voice

Singing that song.

[NBachers]

5. See and hear it put to music and video here- very very powerful.

Thank you for putting this in front of me today, Sheshe.

[sheshe2]

6. I have sweetie.

It blows me away.

It also gives me an inner strength when I need it.

Thanks NBachers.

[kwassa]

8. We use this hymnal every Sunday.

Last edited Mon May 30, 2016, 12:27 AM - Edit history (1)

I have the bass part to LEVAS memorized. The song is considered the black national anthem, by the way. Many other great songs in there, as well.

Our Episcopal church is incredibly diverse, and a fabulous community.