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James Weldon Johnson Quotes

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James Weldon Johnson was an American author, poet, musician, and civil rights activist. He is known for his poetry, novels, and musical compositions, and was a significant figure in the American civil rights movement.

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All People World Humans Race Black May Music Earth Hands Justice London Long Men Paris White Country Enjoyed Human Beings Littles Made

Famous James Weldon Johnson Quotes

“I lived between my music and books, on the whole a rather unwholesome life for a boy to lead. I dwelt in a world of imagination, of dreams and air castles--the kind of atmosphere that sometimes nourishes a genius, more often men unfitted for the practical struggles of life.”

Reading Imagination Music Childhood Youth Books Genius

Book:The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man

Source: The Autobiography of an Ex-Coloured Man

“Nothing great or enduring, especially in music, has ever sprung full-fledged and unprecedented from the brain of any master; the best he gives to the world he gathers from the hearts of the people, and runs it through the alembic of his genius.”

People World Giving Heart Running Brain Music Masters Genius Endure Unprecedented Sprung

Book:The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays

Source: The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays

“At a very early age I began to thump on the piano alone, and it was not long before I was able to pick out a few tunes? I also learned the names of the notes in both clefs, but I preferred not be hampered by notes.”

Long Age Able Names Music Picks Notes Piano Tunes

Book:The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays

Source: The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays

“It is from the blues that all that may be called American music derives it most distinctive characteristics.”

May Music Musician Music Is Characteristics Distinctive American Music Blues Music Jazz And Blues

Book:The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

Source: The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

“O Black and unknown bards of long ago, How came your lips to touch the sacred fire?”

Long Black Music Fire Sacred Lips Long Ago Bards Sacred Fire

Author:James Weldon Johnson