'Black National Anthem' Stuns Audience

Denver mayor irked by singer's anthem switch

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 3, 2008 4:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – A black jazz singer got plenty of glares before the mayor's address in Denver this week when instead of singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" as expected, she sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing"—known as the "black national anthem." Many in the audience appeared shocked and the mayor later said he regretted the "distraction."

"Art is supposed to make you think. I wanted to express how I felt, being a black woman living in this country," said singer Rene Marie. "An artist does not ask permission to express themselves artistically. You just do it and then you deal with it."

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"Lift Every Voice and Sing" was written by a schoolteacher in 1900 and later became the anthem of the civil rights movement. ((c) bfelice)

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, seen here in a 2007 file photo, said he regretted the 'distraction' caused by a singer's rendition of the 'black national anthem' before his speech. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Singer Rene Marie performs the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing," also known as the "black national anthem," at Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address. (DenverPost)

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Singer Rene Marie performs the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing," also known as the "black national anthem," at Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address. (DenverPost)

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'Black National Anthem' Stuns Audience