Marian Anderson's Performance

Title

Marian Anderson's Performance

Description

On Easter Sunday, 1939, celebrated African American opera singer Marian Anderson gave a free concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. She had been denied the opportunity to sing at the Daughters of the American Revolution concert hall because of her race. The first song she performed at the concert was "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)," but she changed the words from "of thee I sing" to "to thee we sing," making it an inclusive expression of patriotism.

Creator

Source

National Archives at College Park. Listen to original.

Date

04/09/1939

Coverage

Transcription

My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, To thee we sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From ev'ry mountainside Let freedom ring!

Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of liberty, To thee we sing. Long let our land be bright, Land of thy noble pride, From ev'ry mountainside Let freedom ring!

Duration

Clip: 1:34. Original: 29 minutes.

Description

On Easter Sunday, 1939, celebrated African American opera singer Marian Anderson gave a free concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. She had been denied the opportunity to sing at the Daughters of the American Revolution concert hall because of her race. The first song she performed at the concert was "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)," but she changed the words from "of thee I sing" to "to thee we sing," making it an inclusive expression of patriotism.

Creator

Marian Anderson

Date

04/09/1939

Coverage

1920-1949

Source

National Archives at College Park. Listen to original.