This week's Poetry Pairing matches "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" a poem by James Weldon Johnson, with "Songs of Freedom," an Opinion piece by Angelique Kidjo. After reading the poem and the interview, tell us what you think - or suggest other Times content that could be matched with the poem instead. Poem Poet James Weldon Johnson served as head of the N.A.A.C.P. during the 1920s, and his spiritual-influenced "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was christened "the Negro National Anthem" by the organization. In 1922, he edited The Book of American Negro Poetry. In 1925, Johnson's The Book of American Negro Spirituals was published. Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing By James Weldon Johnson Lift ev'ry voice and sing, Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea. Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won. Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chast'ning rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers sighed? We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, Till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast. God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee; Shadowed beneath Thy hand, May we forever stand. True to our God, True to our native land. Times Selection Excerpt In "Songs of Freedom," Angelique Kidjo writes about the power of music, including her belief that songs written about Nelson Mandela helped free him from a life sentence in prison in apartheid South Africa: Many years later, I truly believe that music helped free Mandela. Johnny Clegg's "Asimbonanga" comes to mind, as does Peter Gabriel's "Biko." So many artists wrote songs for Mandela, putting much international pressure on South Africa. The songs were stronger than speeches. Who will remember a politician's speeches? But everyone can sing Bob Marley's lines, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery." The few political speeches that have made a mark in history - from Haile Selassie, Martin Luther King or John F. Kennedy - sound like songs! That is the power of music. The mix of melodies and words carries a message much more powerful than spoken ideas. Maybe because when someone sings, truth speak directly to your heart. With the 1960's emerged protest songs written to change the world. Two decades later, rap reported on social realities nobody wanted to hear about. In this digital age, the audience for songs of social commentary and protest has grown: if you want to express your views, you don't need a big music company: just post your songs online. During my childhood in West Africa, music was part of daily life. Traditional musicians recounted our history and offered political and moral commentary. When they played, we would dance, sing, feeling the simple joy of being together. This is the strongest message music can carry today: do not listen to people telling us our cultures are irreconcilable and we can't live together. Universal access to music must be cherished; we must continue to fight against censorship by supporting artists who are silenced and by speaking out against dictatorships that silence them. When the Israeli singer Rita Jahanforuz sings the Iranian songs of her childhood, political and religious frontiers start to crumble. Her unlikely and moving success in both countries gives me so much hope. Within that hope is the long-lasting message of my father: "Sing to unite, not to divide!" See more about the collaboration and find ideas for using any week's pairing for teaching and learning.