Back in the 1990s, I was a rookie reporter for a mid-sized Midwestern city newspaper when William Warfield came to our city to perform. I was assigned to do the interview. I still remember just the two of us sitting on the stage talking about "Showboat" and his experiences making the movie and interacting with the actors, especially Howard Keel, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. He was in his 70's and suffering from a cold. But he pushed through the performance and received a standing ovation. I have always loved musicals, whether on Broadway or on the big screen and I just sat and listened as he reminisced about his career. He was especially proud of his starring role in the musical "The Green Pastures," which had an all-black cast, and which was very successful on Broadway and a 1959 television production of the show. I was particularly impressed with the dignified way he carried himself and the patience he showed to a young reporter who kept stumbling over his words. He can be summed up in one word: Gentleman. And on my living room wall is a picture of that gentleman with his arm around the shoulders of that young rookie reporter.
❤ thank you for your touching memory of this talented man. You have a gift for great writing & expressing your thoughts. Your story moved me to tears❤🤗
I cried when I read your wonderful story. How wonderful that you got to meet him! It's so wonderful when we admire someone greatly and then find out that the person is just as great in real life as they are on screen/stage. I've loved this song for over 60 years, and while I also love Paul Robeson's rendition, I think Mr. Warfield's cover is the very best of any others.
He's not singing the song. Like all modern versions of it this is not the song. It's a pointless sanitization of the song robbed of meaning. It was written as a song about the wrongs of segregation and racism but now it's just words with a good tune.
@@lynchaney6844 I don't think that anyone can sing this song better than Paul Robeson. I first fell in love with his wonderful voice when I saw him in Sanders of the River on tv several decades ago when I was 12, and I still adore him.
I think this is one of the most beautiful, passionate, and heart wrenching performances in musical theater history. It makes my soul ache every time I hear it.
I was lucky enough to see the great William Warfield in the London revival production of Showboat around 40years ago .What a performer and a fantastic show!
A poignant song yearning for understanding and acceptance of fate. No rendition of this song can compare to this performance,....and, I have listened to many. One of the greatest voices of all time.
When I hear this it makes me realize we are all slaves. We are slaves to ourselves and to the sorrow, the suffering, and the disappointments of this life. There is no doubt in my mind that when William Warfield sang this song he was singing it for everyone; blacks, whites, Jews, Christians regardless of race creed or color. This is the most profound expression of the human condition ever put on paper, and praise God for giving us William Warfield to sing it! May he rest in peace.
I'm going home from hospice tomorrow. You go home so your last days are comfortable. The last verse; I get's weary Yes I' am sick of trying I'm tired of living and I'm Feared of dying. Describes my situation to a T. Its been a great 68 years, so long.
This person was going home to die and only one person responded to this comment? @gess, I hope you are happy and free of pain and enjoying the fruits of a life well lived. RIP😇 Go in Peace Friend❤️
Agreed, no one will probably ever top Warfield's interpretation. But let's not forget the man who wrote the lyrics : Oscar Hammerstein II. Oscar captured the essence of Life's Story in those lyrics.
The tears in Ava Gardner's eyes at the end is because she's a black woman, passing as white and is so moved by the plaintive words and singing of one of her own kind, she's been, up until that point, denying. Gorgeous. Moving. Excruciating.
I prefer it this way with the (largely) original words, as an expression of the hardness of life and respect for the great river, before Paul Robeson altered the words to make a political point.
Après avoir écouté Paul Robeson dans ce même "Ol' Man River", il était tentant de comparer avec William Warfield. Las ! Outre le fait que l'image est mauvaise, le tempo est ici beaucoup trop lent. Certes, la voix est belle mais le ton trop doucereux. Paul Robeson est à la fois plus profond et plus émouvant. Et son timbre reste incomparable.
Everything is great but what happened to the powerful ending to the song with a strong finish ? You cut it off that is the best part and without that it doesn,t do the trick !!!!!
Back in the 1990s, I was a rookie reporter for a mid-sized Midwestern city newspaper when William Warfield came to our city to perform. I was assigned to do the interview. I still remember just the two of us sitting on the stage talking about "Showboat" and his experiences making the movie and interacting with the actors, especially Howard Keel, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. He was in his 70's and suffering from a cold. But he pushed through the performance and received a standing ovation. I have always loved musicals, whether on Broadway or on the big screen and I just sat and listened as he reminisced about his career. He was especially proud of his starring role in the musical "The Green Pastures," which had an all-black cast, and which was very successful on Broadway and a 1959 television production of the show. I was particularly impressed with the dignified way he carried himself and the patience he showed to a young reporter who kept stumbling over his words. He can be summed up in one word: Gentleman. And on my living room wall is a picture of that gentleman with his arm around the shoulders of that young rookie reporter.
Marvelous! You were truly blessed.
❤ thank you for your touching memory of this talented man. You have a gift for great writing & expressing your thoughts. Your story moved me to tears❤🤗
I cried when I read your wonderful story. How wonderful that you got to meet him! It's so wonderful when we admire someone greatly and then find out that the person is just as great in real life as they are on screen/stage. I've loved this song for over 60 years, and while I also love Paul Robeson's rendition, I think Mr. Warfield's cover is the very best of any others.
Absolutely no one sings Old Man River like William Warfield. Perfection! Breaks the heart!
Paul Robeson did a fantastic job to
He's not singing the song. Like all modern versions of it this is not the song. It's a pointless sanitization of the song robbed of meaning. It was written as a song about the wrongs of segregation and racism but now it's just words with a good tune.
@@lynchaney6844 I don't think that anyone can sing this song better than Paul Robeson. I first fell in love with his wonderful voice when I saw him in Sanders of the River on tv several decades ago when I was 12, and I still adore him.
I think this is one of the most beautiful, passionate, and heart wrenching performances in musical theater history. It makes my soul ache every time I hear it.
I feel the exact same way
I totally agree with you 💯!!! Gives me chills listening to this Jerome Kern song sung by William! 👏👏👏
Absolutely agree
Nobody does this song like William did. Incredible voice.
I was lucky enough to see the great William Warfield in the London revival production of Showboat around 40years ago .What a performer and a fantastic show!
Sorry, my mistake, It wasn't Mr Warfield that I saw! apologies!
This is not just a show tune, but a slice of culture!
A poignant song yearning for understanding and acceptance of fate. No rendition of this song can compare to this performance,....and, I have listened to many. One of the greatest voices of all time.
This man had a great voice !
William rips this classic. It’s so powerful. Beautiful!
Believe me, everytime I listen to this version, I feel his pain! And in these days quite a little bit more!
I feel the exact same way
I get chills every time I hear his version of this song.
When I hear this it makes me realize we are all slaves. We are slaves to ourselves and to the sorrow, the suffering, and the disappointments of this life. There is no doubt in my mind that when William Warfield sang this song he was singing it for everyone; blacks, whites, Jews, Christians regardless of race creed or color. This is the most profound expression of the human condition ever put on paper, and praise God for giving us William Warfield to sing it! May he rest in peace.
We are slaves to our sin, lost without hope. And then our Lord Jesus offers us freedom and hope.
Absolutely beautiful.
I cry every time I see this part of the movie.
The best ever. Period.
The greatest musical of all time.
This is an amazing song, i like it so much
AWESOMENESS 🎶💖🎶
NONE LIKE HIM 🎶💖🎶
Beautiful, watched many musicals with my parents and family...❤
What a marvelous song...it is like a devout prayer...
It sure is
I'm going home from hospice tomorrow. You go home so your last days are comfortable. The last verse;
I get's weary
Yes I' am sick of trying
I'm tired of living and I'm
Feared of dying.
Describes my situation to a T.
Its been a great 68 years, so long.
I hope it's lovely where you are now
This person was going home to die and only one person responded to this comment?
@gess,
I hope you are happy and free of pain and enjoying the fruits of a life well lived.
RIP😇
Go in Peace Friend❤️
God bless you , I hope that you found happiness in your new home.
Love this song and his voice so strong
Beautiful heartwarming song ever writtenu! 💙❤️💜
What a voice beautiful
It breaks my heart. And it makes me cry.
Stunning. What a joy to listen to.
What a voice.
He was not given proper credit for the title song for “A Walk in the Sun”. No matter, his voice was astounding
Beautiful voice and performance, golden throat!
I love you....i cry
Me too
Agreed, no one will probably ever top Warfield's interpretation. But let's not forget the man who wrote the lyrics : Oscar Hammerstein II. Oscar captured the essence of Life's Story in those lyrics.
Love this performance.
Fantastic performance fitting for the great musical Show Boat was.
Absolutely class❤
old man river can.be used as a person people in.many.cases trials in life can trying and pushing powerful peace
So true
I'm so used to hearing Melvin Franklin of The Temptations sing lead on this. 👍🏾
Did not know he sang this song
The first time to listene ,and its beutiful.
bravissimo.
Bravo indeed
This is why the last shall be first,and likewise,the first shall be last,one day in Eternity....
A little lower and deeper than Robeson.Warfields was incomparable!
Bravo! 🎉
The tears in Ava Gardner's eyes at the end is because she's a black woman, passing as white and is so moved by the plaintive words and singing of one of her own kind, she's been, up until that point, denying. Gorgeous. Moving. Excruciating.
QUESTA E STORIA DELLA MUSICA E DEL CINEMA
❤
Tearjerker 💚
❤❤❤
I prefer it this way with the (largely) original words, as an expression of the hardness of life and respect for the great river, before Paul Robeson altered the words to make a political point.
Exactly
my Mum's song ((
William Warfield is every bit as good as Paul Robeson
Robeson sing it too fast; Warfield's interpretation is more moving and touching.
1:40 (for myself)
2:58 😔
Après avoir écouté Paul Robeson dans ce même "Ol' Man River", il était tentant de comparer avec William Warfield. Las ! Outre le fait que l'image est mauvaise, le tempo est ici beaucoup trop lent. Certes, la voix est belle mais le ton trop doucereux. Paul Robeson est à la fois plus profond et plus émouvant. Et son timbre reste incomparable.
Everything is great but what happened to the powerful ending to the song with a strong finish ? You cut it off that is the best part and without that it doesn,t do the trick !!!!!