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In one of his most acclaimed works, James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) transforms seven inspiring spiritual sermons of African American preachers into poetry. Johnson equates the Black oral tradition and its characteristic cadence with the sweeping tonal ranges of the trombone, which most closely resembles the human voice. Each poem includes punctuation and line breaks that represent the preacher's tempo and voice. This eloquent collection includes "Listen, Lord--A Prayer"; "The Creation"; "The Prodigal Son"; "Go Down Death--A Funeral Sermon"; "Noah Built the Ark"; "The Crucifixion"; "Let My People Go"; and "The Judgment Day." People of all faiths will enjoy Johnson's poetic reimagining of classic African American sermons.
A key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, Johnson was a revered African American civil rights leader, diplomat, lawyer, novelist, poet, and songwriter. He coauthored the hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the Black national anthem.
Summary
James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was a revered African American civil rights leader, diplomat, lawyer, novelist, poet, and songwriter in the Harlem Renaissance. He also coauthored the hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the Black national anthem. God's Trombones, one of Johnson's most celebrated works, transforms seven uplifting spiritual sermons of African American preachers into poetry. God's Trombones equates the Black oral tradition and its characteristic cadence with the sweeping tonal ranges of the trombone, which most closely resembles the human voice. This classic collection includes "Listen, Lord — A Prayer"; "The Creation"; "The Prodigal Son"; "Go Down Death — A Funeral Sermon"; "Noah Built the Ark"; "The Crucifixion"; "Let My People Go"; and "The Judgment Day."
