"Lift Every Voice and Sing" is a hymn originally written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson in 1900 and set to music by his brother J. Rosamond Johnson. It was first performed by 500 schoolchildren in Jacksonville, Florida, to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday. The song serves as a prayer of thanksgiving to God and a plea for faithfulness and freedom, using imagery that evokes the biblical Exodus from slavery to the "promised land"-symbolizing the African American journey from slavery and oppression toward liberty and hope

. The lyrics reflect the struggles and perseverance of African Americans during and after the Reconstruction era, including the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws, segregation, and racial violence. It calls for unity, faith, and continued progress toward equality and justice, with a tone of solemn remembrance of past hardships and hopeful anticipation of a better future. The song has been embraced as the "Black National Anthem," a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement, and remains a powerful symbol of resilience and aspiration in Black communities across the United States

. In summary, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is about celebrating African American history, honoring the struggles endured, expressing faith in divine guidance, and inspiring ongoing efforts toward freedom and equality