I read this story this morning:
'Black national anthem' stirs controversy for city
posted by: Tiffani Lupenski
DENVER - Mayor John Hickenlooper's annual State of the City address may get more attention for what wasn't included than what was.
At the start of the event Tuesday morning, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem.
Instead, she performed the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," which is also known as the "black national anthem."
When she finished, the audience responded with mild applause. The national anthem was never performed.
I was quite annoyed by this story. I wondered what I might have done had I been Mayor Hickenlooper. I kidded myself that I would have started singing the National Anthem myself.
I actually did start to sing it right then and there ... but then I realized that I hadn't gotten the words right. So I did what any good, red-blooded American does in that situation, I looked it up on the GoreNet!
My advice to Ms. Marie? Listen to these people sing it, and see if it doesn't bring tears to your eyes:
Whitney Houston
Faith Hill
A 13-year-old girl
Master Sergeant Frank Thomas
Josh Groban
Carrie Underwood
6-year old girl