The Spelman College Glee Club performs 'Lift Every Voice and Sing'

Kevin Johnson conducts the Spelman College Glee Club in a powerful performance of James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson's 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' arranged by Roland Carter (recorded live Feb. 22, 2019).

[@allthingsaddi]

WOW. Lovely voices. So much control. I could listen for hours.

[@davidferris6057]

Brought tears to my eyes. Exquisite!

[@s.i.porter364]

What a wonderful performance 👏🏾👏🏾

[@minnesotacoco5297]

WOW, these young people showed such skill and grace in performing this rendition of our Black Anthem. Kudo's to the director and hats off to all of the voices!!!! Bravo!!!!

[@lindakooima7903]

this is holy. thank you Spelman Glee Club. God bless

[@glorificaq]

Inspiring at this time that challenges us all to be community for justice!

[@nikibrown1359]

YA'LL BE AWESOME from a 73yr young Mexican that loves you...so powerful. You make Oprah proud she is tough.

[@beverlyhawk536]

Wow! So beautiful!

[@sjgraham]

Stunning. Thank you.

[@johnw.davison1561]

What a lovely and moving -- indeed, thrilling -- version of one of the world's greatest hymns. Thank you so much.

[@quiskaeya]

Wow that was absolutely beautiful!! Bravo!!

[@marybreden5348]

The congregation of New Hope Presbyterian Church in La Feria, Texas thanks everyone at Spelman who supports this Glee Club - and all the women who sang so beautifully in this video. This is such a moving version of the hymn -- all who were worshiping with us on Zoom yesterday loved it. Prayers for all who help to bring your music to the world - praise God for your voices! and prayers for everyone's safety in this time of pandemic.

[@africanamericanlegacy8289]

Hi! Are there any additional steps to take for playing this video for a small virtual gathering honoring a past president of Spelman? I've noticed in the comments below individuals have requested permission.

[@Black_Cat_997]

I thought this was going to go the wrong way when the conductor started with the air guitar thing, but the girls killed it.

[@barbarachristensen2385]

Truly one of the best performances of this song I've heard!!!

[@deondrej.jackson8129]

Oh my those altos!

[@doctorjaymarie]

Disappointed to see so many negative comments on this masterful performance. The young ladies of Spelman have beautiful voices and their choir master has utilized those voices to present a powerful version of Roland Carter's arrangement.

[@FPCMonterey]

I would very much like to share this as an anthem during a virtual worship service for our congregation. Is that allowable?

[@YourClassicalMPR]

You may certainly play this video from KZbin in your service.

[@edwconr]

Clear diction, true lyrics...thanks.

[@jdouglashall]

Powerful. I played it in memory of John Lewis.

[@dianrubianti6889]

Highest improvisation... :) but at this level improvisation the choir just created a new song with the lyrics of the song "lift every voice and sing"... and credit melody.. :) jada holiday sing this song in orisinality.. so i think that's the reason the melody become a song "lift every voice and sing" the melody and it's orisinality the reason you want to song the lyrics "lift every voice and sing"...

[@squeakyz4787]

Some of the cleanest cutoffs I’ve heard in a choir.

[@neriumoleander8188]

what wonderful power the lower altos have! and kudos for the absolutely pristine vowels! superb!!

[@leroymckenzie2430]

Z

[@rickiedavis1803]

That was BEAUTIFUL!!💖😪💖

[@Indieann1]

Such a gorgeous version. Thank you.

[@sherdion2381]

Wow, that was absolutely beautiful

[@CSAcitizen]

This was done beautifully - the best rendition I've heard yet.

[@cathyleeziemba3508]

A beautiful work, done very well. So moving.....and inspiring

[@nsilentnite]

Jesus I heard a bass in there

[@lucyhoward8044]

So exquisitely beautiful! Definitely, my National Anthem!

[@jeansweeney691]

Been trying to learn. Wonder-full

[@jodistewart7226]

Just what I needed today!!

[@burleighholder2897]

is this copyrighted... hypothetically...

[@nsilentnite]

It’s a wrap

[@dalytheos]

Absolutely fantastic

[@kenneth7826]

Excellent...well done ladies......

[@onwike]

Ok, this is impressively difficult. Dynamics, rhythm, and key changes all on such a well known piece with a lot of internal song knowledge to overcome. BRAVO!!!

[@joana9591]

Bravo!!

[@jimmiespivey]

Those Altos and Basses🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@waymonmorris841]

WOW!

[@Jamesfisher0000]

Excellent job thank you 🙏🏾

[@ciawarrior7745]

Beautiful

[@williewilikai426]

This is amazing.

[@sherriebans4737]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@danielaorthey7585]

Maravilhosos!

[@toussantlbisso]

Fairly Respectable rendition I'd say ! And that youngin looks like a bust of Nefertiti !

[@qadara1]

BEAUTIFUL

[@Akin0389]

Wonderful!

[@jencope4095]

Just beautiful

[@jessiicampbell1450]

aha

[@s.i.porter364]

All 3 verses 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@jaimemclaughlin5105]

This song makes me cry every time I hear it.

[@Upyoursfruitcake]

Too fast

[@toddyonkman3603]

I'm inquiring on behalf of my church (First Congregational Church of Granby, CT) if we could have permission to use this video in our worship livestream for Jan. 17. We are a part of a townwide celebration of MLK and mobilization for racial justice. Thank you!

[@YourClassicalMPR]

You may certainly play this video from KZbin in your service.

[@sheilawhite7894]

WOW Buetiful

[@GiftGeorge-xd7yg]

Beautiful

[@chrisblessing45]

So nice.

[@yusef254]

Amen!

[@rufus85junyax]

This is my favorite!! So Far!!! I thought I had heard them all. Nice work ladies

[@rogierdonker437]

Wonderful, wonderful and yet again wonderful! Bravo!

[@chrsd2536]

Well done!!

[@drmbj]

Beautiful! Love this arrangement.

[@perfectbreakfast]

Amazing

[@loridavis3151]

So beautiful and crisp...gave me chills.

[@beverlyhawk536]

Magnificent!

[@destinyrobinsonrobinson5063]

Beautiful harmony

[@Gabe_itch301]

You should change the screen thing when you do pull the screen down OK KZbin because it’s really annoying because the X button is sick and Big

[@kathrynjones2881]

I really enjoyed this. They seemed really sincere and it was a really effective performance. I'm not sure it's healthy for women to sing that low though.

[@barbarachristensen2385]

Trust me, when it comes to altos, the low notes are God-given and perfectly healthy!

[@doricles3199]

@@barbarachristensen2385 Hah ha ha. ROFL. Thanks for the burst out belly laugh...

[@berakiahboone5135]

I chuckled. Very innocent comment. As a music major at Spelman College, who graduated years ago, with my B.A. in piano performance and composition... And a former SCGC member all my years there and proud Alto 2 member.....I assure you, it is a gift and perfectly fine. Thank you for this. It took me back to the moments of awe, when people realized we were all female and could reach notes in the 3 and high 2 range :)

[@chim7741]

I wish the song would be preformed with soul as it was intended! Sounds like a Christmas carol! SMH

[@raymondcook8364]

Will just 1 Black man, woman or child sing this song at the FUNERAL of any of the 8,000 BLACK men, women or children who were murdered by another BLACK person each year? Nope, Not a peep.

[@gldnglow]

No! Y'all really should know better. This isn't a summer camp fire song!

[@deondrej.jackson8129]

Obviously you don’t know. This is the Roland Carter (a black composer) Arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing one of the most known and world renowned choral arrangements of Lift Every Voice and Sing out there. I don’t understand your comment. What’s the problem?

[@chim7741]

He should've picked a Christmas song because this is a well orchestrated trainwreck! 😞😞😞

[@lystraallicock695]

What a beautiful tone this choir possesses. Lovely 😍!