"Black National Anthem" causes stir at Hick speech

The Denver Post ^ | 07/01/2008 | Christopher N. Osher

[BulletBobCo]

As Denver dignitaries gathered today for Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem.

But that's not what she did.

Instead, Marie performed the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," which is also known as the "Black National Anthem."

When she finished, the proceedings moved forward, and few seemed to notice that the Star Spangled Banner was never performed.

One who did notice was Councilman Charlie Brown, and he took to local talk radio Tuesday afternoon to blast the lack of the nation's anthem at the proceedings.

"There's no replacement for the national anthem," Brown said. "They should have sung it."

Brown said Hancock has told talk radio stations he only introduced the singer from prepared remarks handed to him and was unaware that she would not be performing the Star Spangled Banner. Hancock did not immediately return a call seeking comment, nor did Hickenlooper or his staff.

[GAB-1955]

I’ve sung the song in church as a hymn. It’s not bad, and there could be worse songs as an informal “national anthem.”

[rabidralph]

Yes, that’s what I remember; it was melodious and easy to sing. I still remember the first verse. And my music teacher didn’t push it on us as a substitute for the National Anthem. She just explained the historical significance of the song and why we were learning it. This was in the late ‘60s.

[BreitbartSentMe]

Thanks, just visiting for a week. Was a little bit surprised at what happened today, however my hubby and I had noticed when we were here for the first time last year that Denver seemed a bit ‘blue’ for our taste. We’ll see how much the MSM picks up on this story, or if Rush/Hannity/O’Reilly picks up on it.

I checked and it’s finally listed on Google news, and I noticed that the Denver Post has amended it’s original story, claiming that most people ‘didn’t even notice that the national anthem hadn’t been sung’. There’s a poll on their website about it, and it’s currently sitting at 85% of the respondents say that they disliked/hated it. I think THEY NOTICED.

[george76]

Was it appropriate to sing the Black National Anthem at the State of the City address today in Denver?

Response Percent Votes

yes ...10%... 21
no ... 87%... 167
unsure ... 1%... 3
Total ... 191

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/polls/2008/jul/black-national-anthem/results/

[Mom MD]

and HIckenlooper, when questioned about it, came up with this gem. He said - “people seemed to enjoy it”
Totally clueless, as usual

[Mom MD]

The city is blue, but the burbs are quite red (except for the peoples republic of Boulder, of course) And Colorado springs, about 45 min to the South, is the heart of conservatism.

[george76]

Post Poll - Alternate Anthem

What do you think of the song sung at Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper’s State of the City speech, which surprised organizers by adapting the words of a song known as “the black national anthem” to the tune of “The Star-Spangled Banner?”

Total Votes = 375

Loved it 8.799 %
Liked it 1.066 %
Neutral 6.133 %
Didn’t like it 15.46 %

Hated it 68.53 %

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9756253?source=rss&_requestid=8678422

[george76]

maybe next year they'll sing Solidarity Forever, Come and Join the Union ?

.

[george76]

Not even a coat nor a tie

.

[keepitreal]

From what I’ve heard Rene Marie interpolates one set of lyrics onto other tunes often. This time, it was totally inappropriate and not what she was hired to do.

Too bad because she is really a good singer with an interesting story.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the ping, George. Hick, Hancock and Rene Marie should be tarred and feathered.

[jan in Colorado]

Ping!

[beaversmom]

Thanks for the update.

[beaversmom]

Here is a link to see the video of her singing at the State of the City:

http://cbs4denver.com/politics/Black.National.Anthem.2.761769.html

[beaversmom]

Thanks for pointing that out George about him not even wearing a suit and tie. He looks like he’s going to teach a high school math class. Not appropriate at all.

[happygrl]

Very respectable sentiments.

I'd rather have this song sung repectably than have Rosie butcher and debase the official national anthem.

[beaversmom]

Look at the post above for a link to the video of her singing.

[keepitreal]

“Not even a coat nor a tie”

Part of his global warming fight. He ordered all city thermostats up and all city employeees to come to work sans coat and tie. Pretty stupid.

[beaversmom]

But when giving a speech the man should put on a damn coat and tie! (venom not directed at you)

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks geo.