1900s
John and James Johnson - Lift Ev’ry Voice And Sing (1900)
Written in 1900 by John and James Johnson, “Lift Ev’ry Voice And Sing” is referred to by some as a hymn, by others as a poem, and by yet others as an anthem for the Black community. The words reflect the hardships that Black people have endured, and acknowledges that future hardships await. Johnson's work evokes a sense of pride to persevere through these struggles by invoking a strong sense of Black identity. The song has made many appearances, including the score of Spike Lee’s 1989 film Do The Right Thing, a cover by Beyoncé, and the NFL has announced that it will play this song before the National Anthem at games.
Fisk Jubilee Singers –Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (earliest known recording 1909)
While the earliest known recording of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” dates to 1909 with the Fisk Jubilee Singers, an African American acapella group formed at Fisk University in Tennessee, the composition is most often credited to Wallace Willis in the late 1800s. The lyrics refer to the Old Testament story of the Prophet Elijah being carried to heaven. A peaceful song that expresses the hope that those enslaved will find relief after death, it has been suggested that the lyrics encrypted escape routes for slaves. Like “Ev’ry Voice And Sing”, this song has been performed countless times over the twentieth and twenty-first century by such varied artists as Sam Cooke, Louis Armstrong, and Eric Clapton.