Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing... Lite Beer from Miller Pays Tribute to the Heritage and Traditions of Black America

[Milwaukee, Wi, 1985. Very good.. 45 rpm record in printed sleeve. Minor edge wear. A rare music single, with instrumental B-side, issued by the Miller Brewing Company in celebration of Black History Month in 1985. The front side prints the title and first verse of the lyrics of the song; the verso explains the motivation behind the record's release: "'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' was written by the noted Black poet and civil rights leader, James Weldon Johnson and was set to music by his brother, Jay R. Johnson, actor-musician. Originally intended for use in a program given by a group of Jacksonville, Florida schoolchildren to celebrate Lincoln's birthday, its words convey a sense of birthright and heritage. Often referred to as the 'Black National Anthem,' it is sung at various public gatherings." The artists who recorded the present version of the song are a veritable Hall of Fame of soul and rhythm-and-blues music in the latter 20th century: Al Green, Deniece Williams, Patti Austin, Roberta Flack, Melba Moore, and Deborah McDuffie, who also produced the song at the Mingo-Jones advertising agency.