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James Weldon Johnson Quotes - Page 2

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Amsterdam was a great surprise to me. I had always thought of Venice as the city of canals; it had never entered my mind that I should find similar conditions in a Dutch town.

James Weldon Johnson, Sondra K. Wilson (1995). “The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays”, p.331, Oxford University Press on Demand

And so for a couple of years my life was divided between my music and my school books.

James Weldon Johnson (2012). “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man”, p.4, Courier Corporation

As yet, the Negroes themselves do not fully appreciate these old slave songs.

James Weldon Johnson, Sondra K. Wilson (1995). “The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays”, p.349, Oxford University Press on Demand

But I must own that I also felt stirred by an unselfish desire to voice all the joys and sorrows, the hopes and ambitions, of the American Negro, in classic musical form.

James Weldon Johnson, Sondra K. Wilson (1995). “The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays”, p.334, Oxford University Press on Demand

And Satan smiled, stretched out his hand, and said, "O War, of all the scourges of humanity, I crown you chief.

James Weldon Johnson (2009). “Fifty years and Other Poems (EasyRead Large Edition)”, p.44, ReadHowYouWant.com

With his head in his hands, God thought and thought, Till he thought: I'll make me a man!

James Weldon Johnson (2000). “Complete Poems”, p.17, Penguin

As I look back now I can see that I was a perfect little aristocrat.

James Weldon Johnson (2012). “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man”, p.3, Courier Corporation

The Southern whites are in many respects a great people. Looked at from a certain point of view, they are picturesque. If one will put oneself in a romantic frame of mind, one can admire their notions of chivalry and bravery and justice.

James Weldon Johnson, Sondra K. Wilson (1995). “The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays”, p.352, Oxford University Press on Demand

I thought of Paris as a beauty spot on the face of the earth, and of London as a big freckle.

James Weldon Johnson, Sondra K. Wilson (1995). “The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays”, p.330, Oxford University Press on Demand

There are a great many colored people who are ashamed of the cake-walk, but I think they ought to be proud of it.

James Weldon Johnson (2012). “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man”, p.40, Courier Corporation

Through my music teaching and my not absolutely irregular attendance at church, I became acquainted with the best class of colored people in Jacksonville.

James Weldon Johnson, Sondra K. Wilson (1995). “The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays”, p.304, Oxford University Press on Demand

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.

James Weldon Johnson, Sondra K. Wilson (1995). “The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays”, p.276, Oxford University Press on Demand

My mother was kept very busy with her sewing; sometimes she would have another woman helping her.

James Weldon Johnson (2012). “The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man”, p.11, Courier Corporation