One of my favorite books of poetry came out of the Harlem Renaissance in New York in the 1920’s (1927), James Weldon Johnson’s God’s Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse. So I looked at You Tube to find a spoken version of one of Johnson’s poem/sermons. There I found pastor Wintley Phipps performing “Go Down Death.”
It’s a moving performance, poetry and the art of drama combined.
Whintley Phipp’s voice gives me goosebumps.
I’ve never heard of James Weldon Johnson, but you can bet I’m going to be looking for his work now.
Seriously.
Goosebumps.
“She’s borne the burden in the heat of the day…”
Beautiful!
Wow, that was AMAZING! I’m not a big poetry fan but that was really good – hearing it out loud made such a difference.
I also like Langston Hughes, especially this poem.
What a great voice. He sounds a bit like James Earl Jones.
Thank you so much. I went to a funeral this morning of a dear friend. I taught her daughter in kindergarten 15 years ago and she taught my oldest son. I so needed to hear this today! She is resting in Jesus. Amen!
Thank you for sharing this.
I so often forget how much more powerful can be when spoken out loud!
Pingback: God’s Trombones by James Weldon Johnson | Semicolon