Lift Every Voice and Sing would be a very good replacement for our present national anthem, with some modification to verse three to make it less religious.
I totally agree, but I doubt it will ever happen. The "Star-Spangled Banner" wasn't the legal national anthem until 1931! Before that, both "Hail Columbia" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee" were unofficial national anthems. Like that one, usually the first verse of "Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing" is sung. Most people don't even know the 2nd and 3rd verses of the SSB!
Lift Every Voice and Sing would be a very good replacement for our present national anthem, with some modification to verse three to make it less religious.
I totally agree, but I doubt it will ever happen. The "Star-Spangled Banner" wasn't the legal national anthem until 1931! Before that, both "Hail Columbia" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee" were unofficial national anthems. Like that one, usually the first verse of "Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing" is sung. Most people don't even know the 2nd and 3rd verses of the SSB!
Pamela, thanks for your wonderful post! Recent fav: https://www.youtube.com/live/oNzrRVlQfh8?si=8-Q_X-tvXYe31--s&t=3924 (start at 1:05:26)
Thank you! I get goosebumps every time I see and hear that song.