Category: Black History
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“The Glory of the Day Was In Her Face” by James Weldon Johnson
The glory of the day was in her face, The beauty of the night was in her eyes. And over all her loveliness, the grace Of Morning blushing in the early skies. And in her voice, the calling of the dove; Like music of a sweet, melodious part. And in her smile, the breaking light…
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“A Negro Love Song” by Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 – 1906)
Seen my lady home las’ night, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hel’ huh han’ an’ sque’z it tight, Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd huh sigh a little sigh, Seen a light gleam f’om huh eye, An’ a smile go flittin’ by — Jump back, honey, jump back. Hyeahd de win’ blow thoo de pine,…
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“A Song for Myself” by Melvin B. Tolson (1898 – 1966)
I judge My soul Eagle Nor mole: A man Is what He saves From rot.
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“A Mathematical Problem in Verse” by Benjamin Banneker
A COOPER and Vintner sat down for a talk, Both being so groggy, that neither could walk, Says Cooper to Vintner, “I’m the first of my trade, There’s no kind of vessel, but what I have made, And of any shpe, Sir, -just what you will,- And of any size, Sir, -from a ton to…
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“Georgia Dusk” by Jean Toomer (1894 – 1967)
The sky, lazily disdaining to pursue The setting sun, too indolent to hold A lengthened tournament for flashing gold, Passively darkens for night’s barbecue, A feast of moon and men and barking hounds, An orgy for some genius of the South With blood-hot eyes and cane-lipped scented mouth, Surprised in making folk-songs from soul sounds.…
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“A Golden Day” by Paul Laurence Dunbar
I Found you and I lost you, All on a gleaming day. The day was filled with sunshine, And the land was full of May. A golden bird was singing Its melody divine, I found you and I loved you, And all the world was mine. I found you and I lost you, All on…
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“The Birth of John Henry” by Melvin B. Tolson (1898 – 1966)
The night John Henry is born an ax of lightning splits the sky, and a hammer of thunder pounds the earth, and the eagles and panthers cry! John Henry—he says to his Ma and Pa: “Get a gallon of barleycorn. I want to start right, like a he-man child, the night that I am born!”…
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“An Answer to the Rebus, By The Author of These Poems” by Phillis Wheatley
The poet asks, and Phillis can’t refuse To show th’ obedience of the Infant muse. She knows the Quail of most inviting taste Fed Israel’s army in the dreary waste; And what’s on Britain’s royal standard borne, But the tall, graceful, rampant Unicorn? The Emerald with a vivid verdure glows Among the gems which regal…
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“An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penetential Cries” by Jupiter Hammon
Salvation comes by Jesus Christ alone, The only Son of God; Redemption now to every one, That love his holy Word. Dear Jesus we would fly to Thee, And leave off every Sin, Thy Tender Mercy well agree; Salvation from our King.
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