John Malveaux: Jupiter Hammon (October 17, 1711 – before 1806) was a Black poet who became the first African-American published writer in America in 1760

Jupiter Hammon

John Malveaux of 

www.MusicUNTOLD.com 

writes:

Jupiter Hammon (October 17, 1711 – before 1806) was a Black poet who became the first African-American published writer in America when a poem appeared in print in 1760. He was a slave his entire life, and the date of his death is unknown. He was living in 1790 at the age of 79, and died by 1806. Hammon was a devout Christian, and is considered one of the founders of African American literature.

His first published poem was written on Christmas Day, 1760. "An Evening Thought. Salvation by Christ with Penitential Cries: Composed by Jupiter Hammon, a Negro belonging to Mr. Lloyd of Queen's Village, on Long Island, the 25th of December, 1760"

An Evening Thought: Salvation by Christ, with Penetential Cries

BY JUPITER HAMMON

Salvation comes by Jesus Christ alone,

The only Son of God;

Redemption now to every one,

That love his holy Word.

Dear Jesus we would fly to Thee,

And leave off every Sin,

Thy Tender Mercy well agree;

Salvation from our King.

Salvation comes now from the Lord,

Our victorious King;

His holy Name be well ador’d,

Salvation surely bring.

Dear Jesus give they Spirit now,

Thy Grace to every Nation,

That han’t the Lord to whom we bow,

The Author of Salvation.

Dear Jesus unto Thee we cry,

Give us the Preparation;

Turn not away thy tender Eye;

We seek thy true Salvation.

Salvation comes from God we know,

The true and only One;

It’s well agreed and certain true,

He gave his only Son.

Lord hear our penetential Cry:

Salvation from above;

It is the Lord that doth supply,

With his Redeeming Love.

Dear Jesus by thy precious Blood,

The World Redemption have:

Salvation now comes from the Lord,

He being thy captive slave.

Dear Jesus let the Nations cry,

And all the People say,

Salvation comes from Christ on high,

Haste on Tribunal Day.

We cry as Sinners to the Lord,

Salvation to obtain;

It is firmly fixt his holy Word,

Ye shall not cry in vain.

Dear Jesus unto Thee we cry,

And make our Lamentation:

O let our Prayers ascend on high;

We felt thy Salvation.

Lord turn our dark benighted Souls;

Give us a true Motion,

And let the Hearts of all the World,

Make Christ their Salvation.

Ten Thousand Angels cry to Thee,

Yea lourder than the Ocean.

Thou art the Lord, we plainly see;

Thou art the true Salvation.

Now is the Day, excepted Time;

The Day of Salvation;

Increase your Faith, do no repine:

Awake ye every Nation.