WSSU Choir - Lift Every Voice and Sing - arr. Roland M. Carter

[@ddjjj33]

This is the best articulation of this arrangement I have ever heard. Such wonderful restraint and musicality. Also, the pianist deals beautifully with this very demanding piece while following the conductor.

[@dvaestrodsb]

Thank you!

[@cheriekimbrough6474]

It truly is.

[@pages10001]

He comes from the best high school in the country howard high school Chattanooga Tennessee

[@kayoanderson9132]

A notoriously tough piece to play! I agree! Every one of u can relate. There is one measure I know they want back, but music is beautiful in its imperfection!

[@khigrant1983]

Then you have not heard the Aeolians... (not taking away from what this wonderful choir has done)

[@ladytiedi]

Not only goosebumps from this beautiful choir but so loved watching Dr. Carter's conducting...such a joy

[@AhbaYah5]

Dr. Carter is the conductor I can only hope to be one day

[@dvaestrodsb]

Thank you Lady Tie De!

[@dvaestrodsb]

@@AhbaYah5, I agree with you! He's been a model conductor for so many of us for years!

[@susandibiase9250]

This is an amazingly beautiful and stirring arrangement! I didn’t realize, until I watched an interview with Dr. Carter, that he was not only the conductor, but also the choral music arranger and a long-serving member of the NAACP. Congratulations to all who sang in this wonderful choir!

[@JacquilynGriffin]

Susan Di Biase Yes, Susan. Dr. Carter is indeed a musical genius. Having been a member and Second Soprano in of the Hampton Institute Concert Choir, which toured Scandinavia in June 1970, I was honored to have face-to-face contact and

[@6828tom]

As a white, Christian male, I don't understand why there are so may dislikes. What is there to dislike? There is no white or black or red or yellow God. There is but one God for each and every person on this planet. God sees the human heart and all hearts are the same color. That thin layer of pigment does not elevate or diminish your worth as a child of God.

[@jready1455]

People are not disliking it because of the song but how its being labeled the "black national anthem" and being used to divide us.

[@alia.1041]

@@jready1455 the "black national anthem" thing is just a nickname, seeing as it's a well known black spiritual.

[@susandibiase9250]

Also, the nickname is 100 years old already! It was adopted by the NAACP in 1920.

[@MaggyShannon]

@@jready1455. Here are the lyrics. When you read them I'm sure you will agree that it is about remembering the difficult past and building a better future. While in context it alludes to specific trials endured by Black folks, all Americans can sing it as a commitment to the hard work of living up to our noblest ideals. In order to form that more perfect Union, y'see. Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the listening skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us. Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand. True to our God, True to our native land.

[@dreamcore]

​@@susandibiase9250 20th century is much too modern for an American anthem, and it's shockingly tedious

[@gradyebryant]

I had the pleasure of playing a violin selection with Dr. Roland Carter during my days at Hampton University. He's phenomenal!

[@luvmuzik6161]

A forever icon at our Home By The Sea- Hampton (Institute) University!💙💙

[@mimijamison1436]

So proud to say I was a member of this choir for years! I miss singing this beautiful music!!! Brings me to tears. Bravo!!!!! #wssu

[@TracieAce]

Mimi Jamison me too!! Hearing them singing that song made me so proud. I remember when we use to sing it. #WSSU out of all the songs that was my favorite.

[@smileducoeur2796]

I was singing too ♥️ when i was 18 yrs and m'y teacher was si disappointed and told me regretting that i left...and thé country,hé enjoyed m'y strong VOICE,strange for me as i never liked m'y voice.✌️♥️😍🥰🌈🌞

[@ampmri2434]

Brings me to tears too. Well done.

[@dvaestrodsb]

@@TracieAce and @Mimi Jamison, miss you BOTH!

[@archbishoppatrick909]

Yes... yes...YES!!!! This is one of my favorite hymns and this is so well sung! Powerful !!!!

[@dvaestrodsb]

Thank you!

[@christopherphillips7985]

The conductor is one of the most impressive people I have ever seen! Fantastic version!

[@dvaestrodsb]

He certainly is! This is his arrangement!

[@blazeh6817]

I miss in person choir so much. This strikes into my core

[@martinichanel]

God of our Weary years, God of our silent tears.....My Lord. That verse brings tears to my eyes cause we are still enduring. I loves singing this in Concert Choir and can still sing my 2nd Soprano part. Thank you Dr. Roland Carter for this arrangement❤.

[@misbridge1]

One of the most beautiful, inspiring hymns ever, performed most magmificently

[@LW-eg7ln]

This was SOOOO much better than the version we saw on the Super Bowl last night.

[@geniemedford9200]

I agree!

[@unecstacy9698]

Anthems = Great Sport = Great Anthems in Sport = Somehow always shit

[@williambernstein4313]

Because there should only be the National Anthem sang at a sporting event. Otherwise you get alot or people not standing for the Black National Anthem then it creates division.

[@louislark4506]

Wow....I am learning the lyrics in its entirety. I think every Black American should know all of the verses and lyrics/ melody of our Black National Anthem.

[@smileducoeur2796]

I have to learn it tooo.....i don't Know thé song but you feel liké in heaven ✌️♥️😍🌞🔥

[@chasemorantz6228]

Some Black Americans already know the lyrics. Thanks

[@susandibiase9250]

It’s a beautiful hymn and anthem. I hope all Americans will be inspired to learn it. My favorite is the third verse. I appreciate that Dr. Carter included all three verses, because the lyrics really do tell a story.

[@SuperGabetendo777]

I'm so thankful that my school choirs during my youth made us learn the song. I'm 18 years old, and the lyrics stand right by my heart.

[@barbarradevlin9111]

I was thinking of this song for no reason this morning while making some oatmeal. It just popped in my head from my memories. I see a lot of comments here talking about this song being the Black National Anthem. I personally think it should be THE US National Anthem. Every knows that the Star Spangled Banner is too complicated for even most singers to perform, let alone a crowd of citizens. I also love this song as it talks about unity and hope, which is what our nation is about. I remember learning this song in my middle school choir. It always has been and always will be one of my favorites that I had learned in choir.

[@thiago140893]

Beautiful how the musicians stood up as soon as they realized it was the black national anthem showing respect.

[@Con4dentual]

Smile n a hug

[@karenmcgee1869]

Great observation!

[@karenmcgee1869]

@@Con4dentual sweet!

[@jcobbs4523]

A better observation would be that the lady upfront told them to stand. As musicians at the VERY worst, they would've recognized the song by 0:27. By then, the audience was already standing. She motioned for them to stand around 0:40. You can see the lady who came in for the "bow" at the end just right of the maestro.

[@grantoros2960]

wow. I am learning so much. You are absolutely right.

[@jimbrown8818]

We sang this last Sunday and it's been ringing in my head all week. So grateful it's in the United Methodist Hymnal.

[@markworth2169]

Grateful it's also in the Unitarian Universalist hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition.

[@MariaBareiss]

@@markworth2169 Hey! I was going to say this! 💜

[@geraldjones3227]

Early 80's Hampton all over again. Thanks for the memories Dr. Carter and D'Walla!! #HIU

[@bburnsga]

Beautifully done. I just love watching the conductor, Dr. Carter -- such joy in his face!

[@lrufusmusica]

This particular performance is by far the best I've heard of this stirring Roland Carter arrangement. I especially love the accapella portion. Absolutely outstanding!!

[@MariaBareiss]

We did this version in the choir at my congregation, and it's challenging, but the VERY BEST arrangement, in my opinion.

[@edhunley]

What a moving performance. Dr. Roland Carter is indeed an exceptional person. I was privileged to see him at a concert in Chattanooga, TN. The pianist was very impressive as well.

[@smileducoeur2796]

Thé pianiste very impressive and emotionally involved👍✌️♥️

[@joannmcnear9246]

I miss my High School Choir days. I graduated in 1963 and sang in the acapella choir and the special group called the magicals. I was the first black to lead a song, which was Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child. This redition of Lift Every Voice was just spectacular!!

[@Learning.the.basics]

So happy to have stumbled on Dr.Carter conducting ❤ he’s the main reason I kept singing throughout university.

[@louislark4506]

What a splendid musical and vocal opus: love this arrangement, harmonies, melodies, tempo! One of the best arrangement of " Lift Every Voice And Sing!"

[@babe9293]

Roland Carter's arrangement is pure genious!!!

[@ampmri2434]

Yes. Pure soul-stirring genius.

[@yacoabreu9]

There is absolutely no questioning what type of voices these are. It doesn't take gospel style music to hear it.

[@pamelajohnson834]

Heavenly beautiful. What a choir master; what a choir!!!

[@ladynaa3782]

I am still clapping for them🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@argon805]

Its so pretty you can't even sing along with it, you just gotta stop in your tracks and listen! Heavenly!

[@zephanieflippin9206]

AGREED! SO OVERWHELMED WITH THE BEAUTY OF IT!!

[@ampmri2434]

The most beautiful I've ever heard this anthem. I'm so filled with joy.

[@dvaestrodsb]

Thank you!

[@lashenegreatestvoiceofhere4342]

God Bless Alma Mater for my Mother,,My Elementary Teachers,, a many of my cousins and my sister. You cannot beat HBCU Schools. This is where we should send our monies. Praised!

[@evifnoskcaj]

Thank you for sharing this! The arranger himself conducting this is so very special, and this is performed incredibly well and conducted with such spirit! This is deserving of historical preservation. ❤️

[@wphubert]

Glorious arrangement of a very inspiring anthem. Let us remember we are all one in the sight of God!

[@meredithalexander3849]

Wow. Just wow. To have heard this performance in person would have been unbelievable!! The talent of these performers is a perfect match for this moving arrangement of this powerful hymn. Thank you for this gift and for sharing it with all of us.

[@dvaestrodsb]

Thank you so very much Meredith!

[@jenniferdelice4302]

I just can't get enough of this heartfelt anthem, that depicts the struggle of our ancestors. So elegantly done.

[@CWJKAJchicago]

Absolutely the best performance of Roland Carter's arrangement I've ever heard!!!

[@hollistoal9395]

It makes me weep for the sheer glory of it ALL !

[@marzillabryson6370]

I sang this in a choir in a Juneteenth program and several times since. It's wonderful.

[@KellieAlston]

I loved being in the WSSU choir so much! Nothing but good memories.💖 I remember opening our concerts with Lift Every Voice and Sing. I got chills listening to this. Whew.

[@philjulien6882]

I got goosebumps listening to this rendition. I've never gotten goosebumps!!!!

[@mr.walston732]

"Facing the rising sun ... let us march on 'til victory is won" #TilEarthAndHeavenRing LIFT - raise to a higher position or level, hoist, heave haul up, heft, elevate EVERY - each one (of the class specified), without exception VOICE - the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song

[@tomg1247]

When Dr. Carter starts the congregational singing that great voice of his rings out. I wanted to hear him to keep singing this great anthem with all the enthusiasm, grace and inspiration of his conducting. What a gifted soul!

[@claudettedavid3494]

This is a beautiful selection. The ensemble was very well put together. What a great concert.

[@s.a.m.presents3895]

That was SPECTACULAR! Happy Juneteenth 2020

[@tipofday]

This is truly the BEST rendition I've heard to date!! Beautiful!!

[@CharlieMClint]

I began crying the minute the music started. Moving! Wonderful!

[@iamher00]

This was an absolutely beautiful performance ❤❤ The director did a phenomenal job!

[@Biglover29]

Wow, what an amazing choir and performance!

[@jerrydortch6916]

I don't know when I have seen Roland Carter last....- perhaps the Hampton Minister's Conference. So good to see him and hear this wonderful choir!

[@davidmennicke3045]

What marvelous singing to support this deeply meaningful song--thank you for sharing this and lifting us up in this difficult time. May we live up to its message.

[@stevenguthrie2675]

What a powerful presentation! Thank you!

[@smileducoeur2796]

Magnifique,thé respect of eachother LOVE you Can feel and thé gentleman proud of his musicians and honoring thé lady AT thé end...si much humanité and respect with thé message of God,thank you ♥️⭐✨

[@mwt3656]

Words cannot express the Lord's spirit that filled each note. God bless you all for sharing such a strong and determined message not to mention the testimony that you bore.

[@edwconr]

Thanks. Excellent on so many levels.

[@williambernstein4313]

It's a very difficult piano accompaniment.... I've played it...plus following the director....took alot of skill for this amazing pianist!

[@cathyleeziemba3508]

Have sung this piece with my church choir and I love it! Gives me goosebumps every time!

[@you2candoit]

Now that’s the way you direct and sing!

[@ingerjohannefosheim2485]

Thank you for this beautiful song, in these days a great comfort.

[@TedTrembinski]

So beautiful. Such energy and passion! What a gift! Thank you for posting!!

[@robertr7887]

I remember back in the 80s I sing this song in the Compton boy choir.

[@theresamcbride9066]

I love it 💖 👐🏿🥰 all PRAISE TMH GOD!! SELAH ❣ AMEN 😊

[@joie8422]

This is beautiful, absolutely wonderful! I haven't seen many choral arrangements of the full poem, normally it's just the first stanza for the national anthem. This was beautiful, thank you for this!

[@shadg3906]

I miss singing this song!!!!!

[@MrJoeylj]

Agree with you it was taken out my school in 95. Then in 7 grade I have not heard it since. Sad a lot of people didn't even know we had an anthem.

[@imaniadegbuyi1833]

Dr. Carter is such a legend 🙌🏾

[@gwenclayborne3304]

Great performance Winston-Salem State and others --- love the very ending of the piece. My score has four measures of" A".... and four, plus measures of ..."men", but the choir WSSU sings two measures of "A"..., then one measure of .." men" -- followed by one measure of "A" ... and four plus measures of "men".... that subtle change in the piece adds a little more firepower to this already outstanding piece of music!!!!! BRAVO!!!!

[@kriswak]

I had the pleasure of working with him when he conducted a combined High School chorus on this arrangement a few years ago in Griffin, GA. He made this same change then too. The guy's a genius.

[@DarlingtonUMCMediaMinistry]

Thank you for this gift of song! You moved our hearts this day

[@dougvanderhoof4620]

Just learning this. Your arrangement is a feast compared to the appetizer I was trying to make.

[@emmanuelegote]

*OMG! Best I've heard so far. ❤️*

[@dvaestrodsb]

Thank you Emmanuel!

[@NYWF1939]

I dream of the day that the so-called Star-Spangled Banner is REPLACED with This moving song as our nation's National Hymn!

[@Mosmoneyyy]

I remember singing this version, my heart 🥺🥰

[@tedandjenny]

Absolutely stunning! My choir VocalEssence is performing this on Sunday 2-24-19 and I can't wait! This was a beautiful moving performance!

[@sofumba]

This is so BEAUTIFULLY arranged....there is an anointing upon the person who put this together because I sensed it while listening....

[@cherylmurray7942]

You do know the stranger was the conductor, right?

[@blakebramley9171]

Honored to have been conducted by this man at LMEA all-state choir

[@euphoric9611]

Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast’ning rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our people sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path thro’ the blood of the slaughtered, out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last where the bright gleam of our bright star is cast.

[@yokoladyiam]

This made me cry...jusy beautiful

[@DodgerOfZion]

Listening on Juneteenth, 2021. Magnificent.

[@almagracielamorelos5378]

Flawless. Beautiful!

[@gregoryhall4354]

Absolutely fantastic!!!!! ❤

[@laurierountree5753]

Just beautiful. Thank you one and all.

[@lindagibson744]

A very beautiful rendition. An anthem with a lot of cultural history backing it, by the composer and arranger of the music. Very deep vibrations. .

[@mikem707070]

This arrangement is brilliant, beginning to end, thank God it exists. @5:08, homage to Wilhousky's Battle Hymn.

[@ranapoindexter-berryman2406]

This gave me goosebumps!! That was the best version of this song I have heard.

[@geraldpenkese5668]

Beautiful arrangement

[@garrettmccloskey274]

we should bring back this banger

[@lauraatieno327]

1 Lift ev’ry voice and sing, till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the list’ning skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us. Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us. Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, let us march on till victory is won. 2 Stony the road we trod, bitter the chast’ning rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet come to the place for which our people sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered. We have come, treading our path thro’ the blood of the slaughtered, out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last where the bright gleam of our bright star is cast. 3 God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou who hast brought us thus far on the way, thou who hast by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee; lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee; shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand, true to our God, true to our native land.

[@malysaguerrero]

I wish I could listen to this choir live!!! I got goosebumps!

[@francesfowlerslade1092]

Fabulous in every way!

[@starchild5518]

This musical genius my God..

[@gayefrancis902]

This is beautiful

[@Thisistheday3]

Thanks Mark for the video!!!

[@IBumpg]

Wow, and this is not a comment, It's a new word, otherwise called fantastic. What a rendition!

[@Joyce-lf1lb]

Beautifully done❤

[@MaestroGeo]

DSB! Your Choir Sounded MAGNIFICENT!!!!

[@sylviamcpherson6579]

AWESOME!!!!! That was some great conducting, sir!!!!

[@jgcaesar4]

This is so beautiful.

[@archillesification]

Thanks Dr.Carter

[@grantoros2960]

Bless you and thank you for sharing this with us.

[@lesliehunter1340]

What can I say??? He NAILED it!

[@thinbluelinejcb]

The Choir Director Can Sing And The Conducting Was Great / Awesome. This Choir Group is Awesome and Have an Amazing / Outstanding Choir Director I Can Really Heard the Tenor. It Is Really Hard To Find Good Man To Sing In The Choir . Now That is An Fact . But This Choir Has An Great Number Of Man . I Also Sing Tenor in Choir at Holly Springs High School. and can Sing some parts of Soprano . and Some Bass Parts. So Pretty Much I Can Sing almost all Parts in Choir. And Lift Every Voice and Sing Was One Of My Favorite Songs We Sung For Black History and Another Was Long Way From Home . ( Sometimes I Feel Like an Motherless Child). That Was an Good One As Well. We Have Had an Amazing Choir This Year 2020-2021 Special Thanks To Holly Springs Jr.- High School Choir Director Mr. Charles Terry Jr.

[@immasoxfanbaby]

An American ancestors masterpiece collection

[@karlawakeen2269]

Goosebumps....Amazing!!