Especially Do I Believe in the Negro Race

Written in a gospel style, this lyrical second movement extracted from the larger work Credo utilizes a text by W.E.B Du Bois: "Especially do I believe in the Negro Race; in the beauty of its genius, the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness which shall yet inherit this turbulent earth." The intense beauty of the music reflects Bonds' deep affinity for the spirit of Du Bois' words. It features a soprano soloist throughout.