Urban Core in Jacksonville in Duval County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Black National Anthem: "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing"
| — | Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park | — |
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 3, 2026
1. “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” Marker
James Weldon Johnson wrote Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing as a poem in 1900. Johnson’s brother J. Rosamond, set the poem to music.
James Weldon Johnson wrote "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" as a poem in 1900 and his brother, J. Rosamond, set the poem to music. It is a hymn that acknowledges the country's dark past, but looks forward with themes of thanksgiving, faithfulness, and freedom. It was first performed on February 12, 1900 by five hundred Black students at LaVilla's Stanton Institute to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln's birthday. In 1919 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) adopted the song as the "Negro National Anthem." The song continues to have a significant impact in the United States. The song has been used during protests and demonstrations and the song is performed during Florida's May 20th Emancipation Day and Juneteenth. Notable singers who have performed the song include: Kim Weston, Melba Moore, Rene Marie, Denyce Graves, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, Alicia Keys, and Beyoncé.
“Shortly afterwards my brother and I moved from Jacksonville to New York, and the song passed out of our minds. But the school children of Jacksonville kept singing it, they went off to other schools and sang it, they became teachers and taught it to other children. Within twenty years it was being sung over the South and in some other parts of the country."
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— James Weldon Johnson
[Captions:]
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing lyrics.| Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Bob Cole, John Rosamond Johnson, and James Weldon Johnson. The Johnson Brothers often worked with Bob Cole. Cole was a composer, playwright, actor, and Stage Producer. | Yale University Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Marker Legend
Yellow: Black National Anthem
Red: The Johnson Family
Light Blue: J. Rosamond Johnson
Dark Blue: James Weldon Johnson
Pink: Shotgun Homes
Erected 2026 by City of Jacksonville.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.
Location. 30° 19.83′ N, 81° 40.209′ W. Marker is in Jacksonville, Florida, in Duval County. It is in Urban Core. It is at the intersection of West Adams Street and North Lee Street, on the left when traveling west on West Adams Street. The marker is located within Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 North Lee
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 3, 2026
2. The Black National Anthem: "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" Marker
Regionally, this marker is in First Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John Rosamond Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); James Weldon Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Shotgun Homes (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named James Weldon Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); J. Rosamond Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Hatch (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Brewster Hospital (about 600 feet away); The Line of Intrenchments (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers
Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, July 3, 2026
3. "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" park
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 29, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on September 29, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on October 14, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
