Azalia E. Martin, "A Song to Afric's Great" (1903)
From early morn till late;
A song to rouse the nations,
A song to Afric's Great.
With melody to equal,
The minstrels of the sea;
To ride upon the breezes
O'er lofty mount and lea.
With graces from the Muses,
I'd sing a stirring song;
To tell the world our virtues,
And lift above the wrong.
A balm to sooth the sorrows,
'Twould drive away all tears;
To live throughout the ages,
Like music of the spheres.
The birds that sing so sweetly
In yonder greenwood tree;
With joyful notes of gladness,
Would list a while to me.
In that hymn, full of praises
From early morn till late,
That song to rouse the nations,
That song to Afric's Great.
Published in Colored American Magazine, November 1903