Fourth of July (is Yours Not Mine) – A Cappella (from The Fourth of July: A Speech by Frederick Douglass)

($2 per singer)

Text by Frederick Douglass. This speech was given in Rochester, NY on July 5th, 1852.

This piece lays bare the core argument of Frederick Douglass’ iconic speech. While asked to speak about the celebration of our nation’s break from the tyranny of the English Monarchy, he reminds that many people in the country do not enjoy the same fruits of freedom. He goes as far as to question the committee that hired him, by asking if their assigned topic was meant to mock him. This is a powerful musical setting of this powerful text from our country’s ongoing struggle for equality.

Audio Sample –