God's Trombones Audiobook By James Weldon Johnson cover art

God's Trombones

Seven Negro Sermons in Verse

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God's Trombones

By: James Weldon Johnson
Narrated by: Joe Morton, Robert Earl Jones, Calvin O. Butts
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Johnson transformed memories of the sermons he heard in the late 1800s by renowned African American preachers into this now-classic work of original poetry. Basis for a PBS documentary on Johnson titled Lift Every Voice and Sing.©1955 Viking Penguin (P)1993 Penguin HighBridge Audio African American African American Studies Americas Black & African American Classics Literary History & Criticism Poetry Social Sciences Specific Demographics Themes & Styles United States World Literature

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Very interesting to hear some of the sermons from days gone by.
I love the Word of God and love to hear how God used His servants, so I found this very interesting!

Good brief history & sermon recaps

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I can't imagine how this could be done better. I have been reading these poems for many, many years and this reading with music brought tears to my eyes. A treasure!

Amazing Production!

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This production of James Weldon Johnson's book of African-American sermons in verse filled me with joy. Johnson's scholarly introduction is here, as well as an opening prayer and a closing hymn. And in between! The seven glorious poems, each read by a different actor, are given all of the dignity and cadence due to them. The responses of the congregation are a treasure. I cannot think of a better example of American poetry than this book, and this recording just became my favorite way to experience it. I will come back to it again and again.

Amazing Experience

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Because these poems honor the black preachers of Johnson's memory, it's invaluable to listen to them read by similarly skilled orators, especially if you are using them in the classroom.

Here is an index of the locations of the poems in this recording.

Preface: :40 – 15:30
Listen, Lord – A Prayer: 15:30 – 18:16
The Creation: 18:30 –23:57
The Prodigal Son: 24:19 –31:21
Go Down Death – A Funeral Sermon: 31:35 – 36:37
Noah Built the Ark: 36:55 – 45:25
The Crucifixion: 45:35 – 51:00
Let My People Go: 51:10 – 1:00:29
The Judgment Day: 1:00:40 – 1:06:30

Index of the poems

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This is a compilation of several sermons in verse composed by James Weldon Johnson. James Weldon Johnson is a very great, if somewhat forgotten African American of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. He was a man of letters, a statesman, educator, lawyer, and author. As explained by James Weldon Johnson himself, these sermons were composed by Mister Johnson in the tradition of African American religion. Mister Johnson wrote in a variety of styles and voices, including, at times, dialect. These poetic sermons are examples of that. This audiobook is excellent. Thank You...

A Great Audiobook Rendition of Text And Poetic Sermons

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Loved every minute of this book. The writing seems as fresh today as it was when first published. Special kudos to the narrators who kept me spellbound throughout!

Wonderful!

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