The following version of this poem was used to create this guide: Alexander, Elizabeth. "Praise Song for the Day." Poetry Foundation Online, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52141/praise-song-for-the-day.

Note that parenthetical citations within the guide refer to the line number from which the quotation is taken.

Elizabeth Alexander performed "Praise Song for the Day" on January 20, 2009 at the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. At the time of the inauguration, Alexander was an accomplished poet, but the event marked only the fourth time a poet had performed at a presidential inauguration (Alexander was preceded by Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, and Miller Williams). While Alexander's role in the inauguration was celebrated, the poem itself was met with criticism both for its structure and for Alexander's delivery. The poem remains a point of contention for those interested in history and literature.

Barack Obama's inauguration was a historic event, as he was the first Black president of the United States. While "Praise Song of the Day" is keenly aware of its historical moment, it is not the focus of the poem. Rather, Alexander spends the majority of the poem detailing the work and everyday experiences of different American citizens. At the end of the poem, she reminds listeners of the sacrifices people made to bring the nation to this historic point, and encourages her listeners to approach the future with optimism and hope.