James Weldon Johnson

James Weldon Johnson was an influential Black author. He is also remembered as a civil rights leader and a novelist. His works included God’s Trombones and The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man. He is responsible for bringing a great deal of Black music, poetry, and other arts into the public spotlight. Read more of James Weldon Johnson.

Biography of James Weldon Johnson

Lift Every Voice and Sing

‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ by James Weldon Johnson is commonly referred to as the African American national anthem. It explores themes of freedom, suffering, and joy.

Mother Night

‘Mother Night’ by James Weldon Johnson describes a speaker’s optimistic and comforting beliefs in regards to what is waiting after death.

Prayer at Sunrise

‘Prayer at Sunrise’ by James Weldon Johnson describes the power of the sun and a speaker’s request to be granted strength from God.

Sence You Went Away

Sonnet

The Creation

‘The Creation’ is one of the famous poems by James Weldon Johnson, an American writer, and civil rights activist. This poem depicts the story of Genesis in a pellucid manner.