Gift To Sing is a beautiful and inspiring collection of poems, essays, and speeches by James Weldon Johnson that celebrate the power of music and the importance of song in our lives. Johnson's writing is both insightful and thought-provoking, exploring themes of race, identity, and resilience with grace and intelligence.

The poems in this collection are particularly moving, with Johnson's lyrical language and evocative imagery creating a vivid and emotional experience for the reader. From the haunting beauty of "Sence You Went Away" to the rousing call-to-arms of "The Gift To Sing," each poem is a testament to the transformative power of music and the human spirit.

Johnson's essays and speeches are equally powerful, offering a window into his deep understanding of the role that music plays in shaping our lives and our society. His words are eloquent and impassioned, reminding us of the enduring importance of art in times of struggle and strife.

Overall, Gift To Sing is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and power of music. Johnson's writing is timeless and profound, speaking to the universal truths that connect us all as human beings. This book is a true gift to the soul, a reminder of the healing and transformative power of song.

Book Description:
volunteers bring you 20 recordings of The Gift To Sing by James Weldon Johnson.
This was the Weekly Poetry project for June 9, 2019.
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James Weldon Johnson was an American author, educator, lawyer, diplomat, songwriter, civil rights activist. He was married to civil rights activist Grace Nail Johnson. James Weldon Johnson is best remembered for his leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , where he started working in 1917. Johnson established his reputation as a writer, and was known during the Harlem Renaissance for his poems, novels, and anthologies collecting both poems and spirituals of black culture. - Summary by Wikipedia