Even though many rights for black Americans had been swept away by Jim Crow laws, the first stanza’s lyrics are surprisingly optimistic: “Lift every voice and sing / Till earth and heaven ring ...

The Black National Anthem – “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – is a hymn written as ... and composed the music and arrangements ...

The Emmy-winning actress and singer, 66, performed the hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing" ahead of Super Bowl ... "My husband was out… in the community giving away Eagles gear and shirts.