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Poem by James Weldon Johnson


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(On the Anniversary of Lincoln's Birth)

    Father, Father Abraham,
      To-day look on us from above;
    On us, the offspring of thy faith,
      The children of thy Christ-like love.

    For that which we have humbly wrought,
      Give us to-day thy kindly smile;
    Wherein we've failed or fallen short,
      Bear with us, Father, yet awhile.

    Father, Father Abraham,
      To-day we lift our hearts to thee,
    Filled with the thought of what great price
      Was paid, that we might ransomed be.

    To-day we consecrate ourselves
      Anew in hand and heart and brain,
    To send this judgment down the years:
      The ransom was not paid in vain.



James Weldon Johnson


James Weldon Johnson's other poems:
  1. A Plantation Bacchanal
  2. The Glory of the Day Was in Her Face
  3. Brer Rabbit, You's de Cutes' of 'Em All
  4. Answer to Prayer
  5. Tunk


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