NFB Songs

One of the more unique organizational traits of the National Federation of the Blind is the central role that songs have played in our community.

NFB singers at a podium in 1992.The first NFB song contest was held in 1969, which resulted in the adoption of the Federation’s first official song, “The Battle Hymn of the NFB,” better known to many as, “Glory, Glory Federation.”

In the years since then, members of the NFB have utilized song for a variety of situations and for many reasons, but the three main sources for inspiration have been to protest against people and organizations believed to be acting against the interests of blind people, to define and vocalize Federation philosophy, and to celebrate what became known as “the organized blind movement.”

For more information on the history of NFB songs, please read Barbara Pierce’s article, “Singing Our Story: Federation History in Song,” from the July 2013 issue of the Braille Monitor.

The members of the Federation continue to generate new artistic expressions of the heartbeat of the movement and the lived experience of blind people. Official content — new and historical — will be archived here. 

2020 National Convention Choir

These songs were performed by the 2020 National Convention Choir at the 2020 National Convention which took place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rhythm of the Movement: The Federation Philosophy in Song

These songs were recorded by James Brown of the Tennessee affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind and the Cane Tips in 2015.

Some of these songs were also performed live as “The Rhythm of the Movement: The 75th Anniversary in Song” at the 2015 National Convention in Orlando, Florida by Richie Flores of the Texas affiliate, James Brown of the Tennessee affiliate, the Performing Arts Division, and the Diamond Anniversary Choir. The original recording can be found here.

Glory, Glory Federation: Songs of the NFB

These songs were recorded by the Pennsylvania affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind in the 1960s and 1970s.

NFB Songs Old and New

These songs were recorded by the Cane Raisers of the Sligo Creek Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Maryland.

Other Songs