Christmas Carol by Paul L Dunbar

Dunbar was a writer who attained international success over all obstacles. Dunbar was born in Kentucky in 1872 to former slaves and attended high school in Dayton, Ohio, where he was the sole black student. Despite graduating with high honors and aspiring to be a writer, circumstances compelled him to work as an elevator operator. However, one schoolmate, Orville Wright, of airplane invention renown, assisted in providing financial support for Dunbar to publish his first book of poems. Success ensued, and Dunbar lived off his work until his tragically early death from tuberculosis at the age of 33. Christina Rossetti's In the Bleak Midwinter (which would be my No. 11 above) is perhaps the most well-known poem sung as a carol, but Dunbar's includes a clear command to sing with all our might. It's a cheerful Christian celebration.