On the Pulse of Morning

In 1993, Maya Angelou recited this poem at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, making her the first African American and the first female poet to deliver an inaugural recitation. Subsequently, Angelou’s audio recording of “On the Pulse of Morning” won a Grammy Award® for “Best Spoken Word” in 1994. Mark Hayes opens with a resounding “See Me Rise” choral fanfare before presenting the hope-filled latter half of the poem with rhythmic exuberance. This is the opening movement from the song cycle Like Dust I Rise.