James Weldon Johnson
Lift Every Voice and Sing
I've been singing this song a long time
Because it makes me happy to sing
About freedom and victory
But I decided I didn't want to sing it by myself anymore
So I invited some of my dear friends (let freedom ring)
To help me sing about freedom and cause it to ring
Lift every voice and sing
Till Earth and Heaven ring
Ring with the harmony of liberty
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening sky
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea
(Let freedom ring)
Ooh, oh, from me to you, my sisters
Let freedom ring
And from me to you, my sisters (let freedom ring)
Here from me to you, my brothers
God of our weary years
God of our silent trial of tears
Thou who has brought us thus far on our way
Thou who has by thy might led us into the light
Please keep us forever (yes, forever)
Let 'em ring, yeah (I'm praying, Master)
Forever (forever) in thy path we pray
(We pray, my, my Master) Let freedom ring
Let it ring to the young
Oh, keep me Lordy, Lordy
Sing a song
Full of the faith that the dark past has taught us
Sing a song
Full of the hope that the present has brought us
Yeah, facing the rising sun
Another day day begun
Said let us march on till victory (ooh, march on)
Let us march on till victory is won
Oh, let freedom ring
From the mountain tops, yeah, yeah, yeah
Let Freedom ring through the fruited plain
And to all those and make it last
Let freedom ring (let freedom ring)
I said freedom, let it ring, let it ring, let it ring
Can you feel it?
Yes, I can feel it
Can you hear it?
I can hear it
Everybody, hey (freedom, oh, freedom)
That freedom, ooh (that freedom)
(Freedom) Oh, let it ring (let freedom ring)
Let freedom ring
Freedom
Freedom (let freedom ring)
From sea to shining sea (let freedom)
Oh, freedom, freedom (let freedom ring)
Oh, yeah
Let freedom ring
Let freedom
Freedom, yeah, yeah
Freedom ring, oh
Oh, oh, let it ring
You know, I know