The group was founded in 1969 by Russell Knighton at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the group was called the Macalester College Black Voices. It was in 1971 when current director Gary Hines took leadership over the ensemble, and the group name was officially changed to Sounds of Blackness.
The chief lead singer of the group was Ann Nesby until 1995 when Nesby left the group to pursue a solo career. The group continues to perform internationally. The group performed the original songs for the 1999 Disney animated short John Henry (based on the folklore character) as part of Disney's American Legends, the short was re-released in 2015 as part of the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection. The original songs were written by Gary Hines and Billy Steele, with a score by Stephen James Taylor
The group has received three Grammy Awards, four Stellar Awards, one Emmy nomination, the International Time for Peace Award, the International Dance Music Award, five NAACP Image Award nominations and 1 NAACP Image Award.
Sounds of Blackness's "Time For Love" was nominated for the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for R&B Song of the year.
Testify
Sounds Of Blackness Lyrics
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And I wanna testify
Got a job a roof overhead don't live fancy but my family's fed
I wanna testify
Got my strength and I got my health you can't buy that with fame or wealth And
I just wanna testify
I get overwhelmed with thankfulness for things I have received
More than fame or wealth I feel the spirit inside movin' me
And I just wanna testify
I got a joy that comes from within, deep in my soul I feel so content
And I just wanna testify
I searched high and I searched low, to find the answers only Heaven holds
And I just wanna testify
Too much joy, can't keep it to myself, I feel the need to tell somebody else
And I just wanna testify
Gifts of love that we all need, are provided if we only plant the seeds
And I wanna plant the seeds and testify
I just wanna testify
Feelin' light enough to fly
Lift your voice up to the sky
Come on join in and don't be shy
Get on your feet and testify
Feelin' light enough to fly
Lift your voice up to the sky
Come on join in and don't be shy
The lyrics to Sounds of Blackness's Testify express gratitude and joy for the blessings in life. The singer wakes up each morning feeling thankful for another day and the things that they have received. They have a job, a roof over their head, and their family is fed. They acknowledge that fame and wealth are not the things that truly matter in life, as they cannot buy health and strength. The singer has searched for answers and found that the gifts of love are provided when one plants the seed. They feel a joy within themselves that they cannot contain and feel the need to share it with others. The chorus encourages listeners to lift their voices up to the sky and join in testifying to the blessings in their lives.
The song encourages gratitude and sharing the gifts of love with those around them. It recognizes the importance of taking time to appreciate the things that truly matter and not getting too caught up in material possessions or fame. By sharing their testimony, the singer hopes to inspire others to feel the same joy and contentment that they do.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning when I wake I'm so thankful for another day
Expressing gratitude for another day of life upon awakning
And I wanna testify
Desire to share a personal testimony of gratitude
Got a job a roof overhead don't live fancy but my family's fed
Gratitude for having basic needs met: employment, shelter, and food
Got my strength and I got my health you can't buy that with fame or wealth And I just wanna testify
Grateful for good health and physical ability, emphasizing the value of these assets over material possessions
I get overwhelmed with thankfulness for things I have received
Acknowledgment of feeling emotional overwhelmed with gratitude for one's blessings
More than fame or wealth I feel the spirit inside movin' me
Belief in the importance of spiritual fulfillment over superficial measures of success
Looked around and can't ignore, there's so many things to be thankful for
Observation that there are countless blessings and reasons to express gratitude in life
I got a joy that comes from within, deep in my soul I feel so content
Expression of inner happiness and contentment
I searched high and I searched low, to find the answers only Heaven holds And I just wanna testify
Personal journey in search of spiritual guidance, leading to a desire to share one's testimony
Too much joy, can't keep it to myself, I feel the need to tell somebody else
Overwhelmed with joy and inspired to share one's testimony with others
Gifts of love that we all need, are provided if we only plant the seeds And I wanna plant the seeds and testify
Belief that love is essential and readily available, and a desire to spread love by sharing one's testimony
Feelin' light enough to fly Lift your voice up to the sky Come on join in and don't be shy Get on your feet and testify
Encouragement to express one's gratitude boldly and publicly
Feelin' light enough to fly Lift your voice up to the sky Come on join in and don't be shy
Continued encouragement to express one's gratitude boldly and publicly
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Gary Dennis Hines, James Samuel Harris, Terry Steven Lewis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
HSSU Camera Club
on Black Butterfly
Black Butterfly by Sounds of Blackness
Chorus
Black Butterfly, you can do most anything your heart desires
Freedom comes with understanding who you are
Its time to reclaim your place among the stars
Spread your wings and fly
Awakening the genius has been asleep too long
A people with a beauty rich and strong
A heritage that rates second to none
Original, your qualities, don’t change them to fit in
Now that you’re on top just keep rising
Experience new life, be born again.
Chorus
What’s going on?
To not reveal unless we choose to see
Has generations lost in history
To hide our culture and identity
Keep your pride
You can’t be another color butterfly
So when you shine, let everybody see your light
Cuz you know out of sight means out of mind