"Black national anthem" raises eyebrows

Jazz singer Rene Marie is also an actress with the Shadow Theatre Company. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

UPDATE: Subbed lyrics draw some red glares

As Denver dignitaries gathered today for Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem. But that's not what she did.

Instead, Marie performed the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," which also is known as the "black national anthem."

When she finished, the proceedings moved forward, and few seemed to notice that the "Star-Spangled Banner" was never performed.

One who did notice was Councilman Charlie Brown, and he took to local talk radio this afternoon to blast the lack of the nation's anthem at the proceedings.

"There's no replacement for the national anthem," Brown said. "They should have sung it."

Brown said Hancock has told talk-radio stations that he only introduced the singer from prepared remarks handed to him and was unaware that she would not be performing the "Star-Spangled Banner." Hancock did not immediately return a call seeking comment, nor did Hickenlooper or his staff.

Christopher N. Osher: 303-954-1747 or cosher@denverpost.com

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