fSttfal Written by James Weldon Johnson and set to music by his brother, Rosamond, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" wa&known for decades as the Negro National Anthem. It was first performed on January 12, 1900 by 500 school children at a celebration for Abraham Lincoln's birthday. ' Inthe years th^jPoffa^J^e scho$$t#dren it to their pupils. In less <->f th is Anthem were as well as other parfs of the country. iy of hope,