Me. 74 years old this year. Whenever I hear young men today singing in their wispy, breathy, whiny tinny voices, I look up this video to remind me of what men should look and sound like. Maybe I’m just gettin’ old and tired. But I’m not afraid to die. But I’m also not in a hurry.
Yep, me 2. 61 years old and listening to this sublime performance several times a year. With my own playlist with Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong and the likes of the great Sammy Davis jr and so. World class music that will outlive us. Music that makes you feel music. Sure, you've got some great ones, even legends of today and recent times. But never forget the origins of musicals, R&B etc... Without these legendary stars in heaven, we would probably still dancing naked around fires blaring incoherent noises without sense. Keep this history alive and share it once in a while. Cause sometimes people need to be remembered of beauty... 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌷
Much admired and loved in Britain and not only for his fine voice. Wonderful rendition of this song but wonder why he didn’t sing the low note on ‘jail’
Since this is from the movie, I would guess it was written that way. Also here he sings it with a faster tempo than later performances, and not as dark a tone.
When his American friends moved to the Soviet union to practice true communism,stalin had them thrown in the gulag jest they tell Russians a bout life in the Us as Russians would .marvrl at the quality of the clothes the emigres brought. They were brought back to meet with Robeson and padded him a secret message for tha communists in the US to petition for their release. He never passed the message. A true communist.he would stab his ftie ds in the back for the cause
@@pamelacorbett8774 Epic photo when he supports the workers of Schotland, or was he also in Wales? Paul as a black man in his decent suit and all those workers in their working outfit. What an energy and affinity in one person.
This man stands alone as a symbol... the nanosecond he hits the old man river lines... I can't stop crying .... absolutely beautiful.... this song has sadness, strength, determination, and hope in every line.
I read an interesting report that Dr. King also broke into tears listening to Frank Sinatra sing this exact song. When you move one of America’s finest men that much, you know you’ve got a hell of a voice
One of the greatest voices in my lifetime was Paul Robeson. Unparalleled bass vocals with such emotion and meaning conveyed in all his songs. Unmatched.
Paul Robeson started off as a lawyer in New York City. As powerful as he was on screen, you can imagine what an impression he must have made in the courtroom. The story I heard is that he and his wife were attending a Park Avenue dinner party were the guests were to supply the entertainment. When it came Robeson's turn to perform, he recited a favorite poem of his. Another guest at the dinner was a Broadway producer who told Robeson that he belonged on stage.
Possibly one of the finest voices of the 20th century. Paul Robeson a great man in all senses of the word. He was my hero from when I was a little boy.
A classic. I get goose bumps listening to Paul Robeson. Many of these lyrics were familiar to me as a young kid, either I heard the song, or the lyrics made it into the vernacular.
My father saw him sing in Morocco. There may never be a voice as resonant as his and was truly a Renaissance man, excelling in most all aspects of life. His voice is something my dad said he would never forget.
Happy Birthday Mr. Paul Robeson It would had been your 126th birthday today. Thank you for being a strong man during those dark days of our past. You were definitely a trailblazer!
There is so much debate about which is the best version of 'Ol Man River on film. I honestly can't separate Paul Robeson and William Warfield in magnificence, their greatness for different reasons. The first time I ever cried in a movie was watching Warfield's Showboat. The song truly portrays the pain and struggle of black people in the South in the post-slavery slavery, if you will. The scene of Ava Gardner as the song ends, always makes me cry so hard. That song and that scene just encapsulates pain, loss, suffering, injustice, despair and a myriad of other emotions. I first saw it on TV when I was 12 and I didn't even understand why I was crying. It just got me. Then I saw Robeson's version on the internet, and it equally floored me. It's faster, in line with the actual Broadway production, and I think Warfield's tempo was better, but Robeson's emotion and the scene's of back-breaking work were phenomenal. Again, the goosebumps and tears. He put so much emotion into "I'm tired of living but scared of dying." And the way he sings "And he just keeps rolling along" shows the absolute inevitability of life continuing the way it is, because black people couldn't see life changing for them in any way. Just wow. Then there's Frank Sinatra. Welp. Honestly, his version was good but the ridiculous set design and his whiteness killed it. This is a song for a black man. And the struggles of the black people in those times. I'm white, by the way.
You need to see his version done on his television show featuring Ella Fitzgerald and Jobim, it's the best version I've ever heard, blows this away.......sorry.
It is amazing how well the powers that be in our society were able to block out such a popular singer, actor, and human being as Paul Robeson, but he's making a comeback, and there is nothing that the neoliberals and fascists can do about it. They can't put us down. They can't put down humanity no matter how much they try.
The guts that Rodger’s and Hammerstein had to put this and “you’ve got to be taught” into their musicals in the 50’s have to be admired today almost 100 years later, while we are still fighting this battle.
You know, as a professional singer I've sung many songs and i truly, love this song! But, this is one song i stay away from because, i know i would cry all the way through it just thinking, how much my people must have suffered!❤️❤️😢😢😢😢😢😭
I have my father to thank for me loving this man’s voice. He was an avid fan and from four years old he’d tell me that Robeson’s voice was the best bass- baritone voice I’d ever hear.I can still remember watching the news as a child in 1976 announcing his death. Everytime I hear this or My Curly Headed Baby I can see and hear my dad singing.
Wow! So heart-touching! This is the song by which the legend Bengali singer and lyricist "Bhupen Hazarika" inspired and create another legendary creation: that song "Bistirno dupare"
Later in his concert career,Paul changed the ending lyrics in a defiant uplifting tone: Show a little grit and you land in jail … I keep on laughing, instead of crying I keep on fighting until I’m dying And/But ol’ man river He keeps on rolling along….
Some of the parents and grand parents of the actors in the film would have been liberated from slavery at the end of the civil war.Amazing to seen that clip.
Slavery in most countries of the world was not related to skin color at all, but I always see that America wants to show black people. I always have this shameful stereotype. I feel disgusted by their actions.
The real shame is that this current generation, those who listen to current FM radio, have no idea of the phenom that Robeson was. No one will ever be able to sing this song the way Robeson could. No one. I do not think we should consider Robeson's misguided association with Stalin when we consider Robeson's greatness. A voice like thia comes along, perhaps, once in every two or three generations. I grew up with Robeson, although I never appreciated the magnitude of his magic until later in life. He was truly way ahead of his time and now that his time has arrived he is not around. The greatest deed that any listener can do is to make pass this along to all those you know and, in many cases, those you don't know. Anyone with a modicum of musical sense will hear the magic of Robeson, the magic that only he could make.
Begging your pardon, sir, paul robeson was absolutely brilliant, and im not trying to compare. please listen to samuel rameys rendition!, it was stunning. old man river will always belong to paul robeson, no dought about it. samuel ramey, was just carrying on pauls legacy, robeson was a giant in his own way!!!. all the best to you Louie Vaccaro, tenor, las vegas.
Кино
Who is listening in 2024?!
Me. 74 years old this year. Whenever I hear young men today singing in their wispy, breathy, whiny tinny voices, I look up this video to remind me of what men should look and sound like. Maybe I’m just gettin’ old and tired. But I’m not afraid to die. But I’m also not in a hurry.
I'm 74 as well, and I'm listening to this with great appreciation! The singing in this number is as good as any I've heard in any opera!
Yep, me 2.
61 years old and listening to this sublime performance several times a year.
With my own playlist with Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong and the likes of the great Sammy Davis jr and so.
World class music that will outlive us. Music that makes you feel music.
Sure, you've got some great ones, even legends of today and recent times.
But never forget the origins of musicals, R&B etc...
Without these legendary stars in heaven, we would probably still dancing naked around fires blaring incoherent noises without sense.
Keep this history alive and share it once in a while. Cause sometimes people need to be remembered of beauty...
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌷
@@HydumBosubey-fj5ld you aren’t getting old..you just know great music when you hear it!💛
@@fredschepers5149 sounds like my playlist! 😁 I have rosemary Clooney Lady Day and Della Reese on mine aswell.💛
I'm tired of living and scared of dying 😭
Incredible lyrics. Used to sing this at work 😂
@@NewWaveFilms He, he
The best sentence ever sung, the man is a legend.
Facts
I’ll be 76 in a couple of weeks and this describes me perfectly. 😢
An incredible man. Athlete, Scholar, Activist, Actor and Singer. A man 50 years ahead of his time.
Much admired and loved in Britain and not only for his fine voice. Wonderful rendition of this song but wonder why he didn’t sing the low note on ‘jail’
Since this is from the movie, I would guess it was written that way. Also here he sings it with a faster tempo than later performances, and not as dark a tone.
When his American friends moved to the Soviet union to practice true communism,stalin had them thrown in the gulag jest they tell Russians a bout life in the Us as Russians would .marvrl at the quality of the clothes the emigres brought.
They were brought back to meet with Robeson and padded him a secret message for tha communists in the US to petition for their release.
He never passed the message. A true communist.he would stab his ftie ds in the back for the cause
@@pamelacorbett8774 Epic photo when he supports the workers of Schotland, or was he also in Wales? Paul as a black man in his decent suit and all those workers in their working outfit. What an energy and affinity in one person.
He also supported Stalin and praised the Soviet suppression of the Hungarian revolution.
Who's is listening this masterpiece 2023 ❤❤❤ 😢😢😢
2024!😂
My old Dad absolutely adored Paul Robeson. What a beautiful voice he had.
That's gold my old man too 1919-2003 they weren't wrong!!
This scene always makes me cry. His voice is powerful!
Ditto...as a little girl this song made me cry.
@@janesgems7as a very older man it too makes me cry cause I too am scared of dying.
I think he sang baritone
@@jamesalexander3530xoxo
The farmer's union in Wales begged him to come back over and over again to sing in Wales. They thought he understood and represented them.
He was a friend to labor anywhere on earth, true Christian and true comrade
Bawling watching this. Robeson was a hero to the miners of the South Wales miners
This man stands alone as a symbol... the nanosecond he hits the old man river lines... I can't stop crying .... absolutely beautiful.... this song has sadness, strength, determination, and hope in every line.
Glad I'm not alone that I get in my feelings when I watch this video.
Did you know he was a Communist
I’m In tears at that refrain, reading this comment as well 😢
First time I ever sobbed for real from any song
Same, when I first heard it I wept.
I read an interesting report that Dr. King also broke into tears listening to Frank Sinatra sing this exact song. When you move one of America’s finest men that much, you know you’ve got a hell of a voice
A man of extraordinary talent, morals, courage and conviction. The greatest American who even lived. And he never died said he.
One of the greatest voices in my lifetime was Paul Robeson. Unparalleled bass vocals with such emotion and meaning conveyed in all his songs. Unmatched.
What an incredible man .
An inspiring human being. Among the best of us.
Paul Robeson started off as a lawyer in New York City. As powerful as he was on screen, you can imagine what an impression he must have made in the courtroom.
The story I heard is that he and his wife were attending a Park Avenue dinner party were the guests were to supply the entertainment. When it came Robeson's turn to perform, he recited a favorite poem of his. Another guest at the dinner was a Broadway producer who told Robeson that he belonged on stage.
@mfphoto1 he left the practice of law because of his perceived structural racism in 1920s America
@@ObamaFromKenya From what I have read or heard, Robeson was highly successful as a lawyer.
I heard his first secretary wouldn't take dictation from a black man. Despicable
Possibly one of the finest voices of the 20th century. Paul Robeson a great man in all senses of the word. He was my hero from when I was a little boy.
That ol man river 😌
The Greatest......I am humbled to watch Mr Robeson. A Treasure!
There are parts of my ears I didn't know I had until his singing voice made them vibrate!
The GREAT Paul Robeson.....MY GOD!
A classic. I get goose bumps listening to Paul Robeson. Many of these lyrics were familiar to me as a young kid, either I heard the song, or the lyrics made it into the vernacular.
What a song! 😢
I know he came to Australia and sang for the trade unionists and they loved him, I think he was wonderful.
I'm listening now I'm Ireland 25th April 2024
Hey thats my birthday!
And my granddaughter was born on the same date 🎉
Iconic,historic -- Robeson himself but also the show itself.
My father saw him sing in Morocco. There may never be a voice as resonant as his and was truly a Renaissance man, excelling in most all aspects of life. His voice is something my dad said he would never forget.
How wonderful it is to realize that we live in a time when, thanks to RUclips, you can listen to those songs that existed before our days
What a voice, what a man... Thell never be another 💪💯🆘🙏🇬🇧.
Goosebumps 💝
What a wonderful voice!!🎉🎉🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️
This song is translated in Bengali in India it's a revolutionary song in Bengal for all middle class & poor people.
Happy Birthday Mr. Paul Robeson
It would had been your 126th birthday today. Thank you for being a strong man during those dark days of our past. You were definitely a trailblazer!
such a wonder full voice
Gosh... 1936...he must have passed away by now...2024...yet his image and talent continues forever....
Yes, he went home in 1976! What a powerful voice!
You enchanted me with your beauty
Speak for freedom this man a angel 😇💕😇
A művészúr előadásában ez a dal csodálatos , gyönyörű hangja volt !!!!!!!!!!
Salutes to Mr. Robeson. Power to the 'Bama Brawl warriors, keep rolling along...
Beautiful ♡
Real life back then meant struggle and toil to survive!
yesterday i heard this song and i broke down in tears i love this song it has so much meaning
I know what you mean, really cuts through everything. Powerful stuff! ❤🔥
🙏❤️🙏
A treasure. What a man. Paul Robeson.
one of the best songs of that era
There is so much debate about which is the best version of 'Ol Man River on film. I honestly can't separate Paul Robeson and William Warfield in magnificence, their greatness for different reasons. The first time I ever cried in a movie was watching Warfield's Showboat. The song truly portrays the pain and struggle of black people in the South in the post-slavery slavery, if you will. The scene of Ava Gardner as the song ends, always makes me cry so hard. That song and that scene just encapsulates pain, loss, suffering, injustice, despair and a myriad of other emotions. I first saw it on TV when I was 12 and I didn't even understand why I was crying. It just got me.
Then I saw Robeson's version on the internet, and it equally floored me. It's faster, in line with the actual Broadway production, and I think Warfield's tempo was better, but Robeson's emotion and the scene's of back-breaking work were phenomenal. Again, the goosebumps and tears. He put so much emotion into "I'm tired of living but scared of dying." And the way he sings "And he just keeps rolling along" shows the absolute inevitability of life continuing the way it is, because black people couldn't see life changing for them in any way. Just wow.
Then there's Frank Sinatra. Welp. Honestly, his version was good but the ridiculous set design and his whiteness killed it. This is a song for a black man. And the struggles of the black people in those times. I'm white, by the way.
You need to see his version done on his television show featuring Ella Fitzgerald and Jobim, it's the best version I've ever heard, blows this away.......sorry.
@@JoeBilello1969 Absolutely ridiculous, Paul Robeson's version stands alone. He was unique, and one of a kind, standing on his own unique pedestal.
I love this song and this incredible singer. I grew up with my mom playing our piano while singing along to all the great musicals.
How blessed, I have Dad's old 'fake' books. Full of oldies from musicals.
great song...great lyrics.... great voice... great passion
I'm glad you tube and yt music has classics as these
What a singer he stands alone with the emotion and power he puts into this song.
Amazing song from an amazing film.
One of the best songs of all time
Such a beautiful voice and a powerful song.
One of my all time favourites. What a voice!
He was this song, that's what makes it perfect to me. Amazing man.
Agreed!
Usually in top 5 muscial numbers of all time! The camerawork and set design is astounding, and both Robeson's voice and the arrangement are top-notch.
It is amazing how well the powers that be in our society were able to block out such a popular singer, actor, and human being as Paul Robeson, but he's making a comeback, and there is nothing that the neoliberals and fascists can do about it. They can't put us down. They can't put down humanity no matter how much they try.
I love it!! Makes me think of my parents and how they shared with me their love for music❤
What A Song
The guts that Rodger’s and Hammerstein had to put this and “you’ve got to be taught” into their musicals in the 50’s have to be admired today almost 100 years later, while we are still fighting this battle.
Jerome Kern was the composer for this, not Richard Rogers. You’re point still stands though :)
Classic mighty Mississippi
Have my summer youth program listened to this giant of a human being
Frank Sinatra's version from 1968 is my favorite SONG of all time. Always brings a tear to my eye.
Magical 🙏🏼❤️
You know, as a professional singer I've sung many songs and i truly, love this song! But, this is one song i stay away from because, i know i would cry all the way through it just thinking, how much my people must have suffered!❤️❤️😢😢😢😢😢😭
Open+ of my favorites!
One of my favorites
I have my father to thank for me loving this man’s voice. He was an avid fan and from four years old he’d tell me that Robeson’s voice was the best bass- baritone voice I’d ever hear.I can still remember watching the news as a child in 1976 announcing his death. Everytime I hear this or My Curly Headed Baby I can see and hear my dad singing.
Same here-my dad loved Paul Robeson.
The one and only, never another man like him.
Great song
Love from India 🇮🇳💙
Paul Robeson fue un actor políglota, atleta, cantante de conciertos, bajo profundo, escritor, abogado y activista de los derechos civiles.
Such a powerful, beautiful and sad song
Oh! Ol’man river!
all the workers of the world will leave a like
...if they see
I have always loved his voice! I intend to share his music with my grand children.
i gets weary, and sick of trying, i'm tired of living, and scared of dying... but ol' man river, he just keeps rolling along
Great performance even in 2024. Love it.
Riveting performance! Beautiful!
Wow! So heart-touching! This is the song by which the legend Bengali singer and lyricist "Bhupen Hazarika" inspired and create another legendary creation: that song "Bistirno dupare"
That voice 💔 what a handsome and talented artist he was…
Later in his concert career,Paul changed the ending lyrics in a defiant uplifting tone:
Show a little grit and you land in jail …
I keep on laughing, instead of crying
I keep on fighting until I’m dying
And/But ol’ man river
He keeps on rolling along….
Loved this as a kid what a voice ❤
Powerful
Such a beautiful voice.
What a Strong message! What a voice!
Fabulous......
Some of the parents and grand parents of the actors in the film would have been liberated from slavery at the end of the civil war.Amazing to seen that clip.
Slavery in most countries of the world was not related to skin color at all, but I always see that America wants to show black people. I always have this shameful stereotype. I feel disgusted by their actions.
Doesn't get any better than that
love it, so powerful
Wonderful. Joe Hill was always my favorite song.
what a voice
What an amazing and soulful man , a true socialist , thank you for sharing your amazing talent with the world
This song by his voice is like the best medicine for all my moods... would like to die with it....
The real shame is that this current generation, those who listen to current FM radio, have no idea of the phenom that Robeson was. No one will ever be able to sing this song the way Robeson could. No one.
I do not think we should consider Robeson's misguided association with Stalin when we consider Robeson's greatness. A voice like thia comes along, perhaps, once in every two or three generations. I grew up with Robeson, although I never appreciated the magnitude of his magic until later in life. He was truly way ahead of his time and now that his time has arrived he is not around. The greatest deed that any listener can do is to make pass this along to all those you know and, in many cases, those you don't know. Anyone with a modicum of musical sense will hear the magic of Robeson, the magic that only he could make.
I can, naturally.
God gifted me a voice exactly like this.
Begging your pardon, sir, paul robeson was absolutely brilliant, and im not trying to compare. please listen to samuel rameys rendition!, it was stunning. old man river will always belong to paul robeson, no dought about it. samuel ramey, was just carrying on pauls legacy, robeson was a giant in his own way!!!. all the best to you Louie Vaccaro, tenor, las vegas.
Him being a communist adds to his greatness, workers of the world unite!
Amazing man
@@humanbeing5136 I do not think he was a died in the wool Communist. but I do not know with certainity.
@@humanbeing5136 F---ck the communists, and all of there followers, got it!!!!!!
what a voice....proud.
Emotions garanties.
What talent!
😞 Very sad full of pain but powerful and meaningful song.
My favorite musical number.
beautiful singing
The quality of this is impeccable, thank you for sharing!
Chad communist Paul Robeson
amazing man
He was communist?
@@lylahsworld3930 Absolutely, he visited the USSR and remarked it was the first time he felt he was ever treated like an equal.
@@lylahsworld3930 Never joined the party but refused to tell HUAC his political affiliations, and for that they confiscated his passport.
Paul Robeson did an excellent boy
I'm so sure that 99.9% of people these days, love this talented man.... His singing is 'Life-Long' xoxoxox
His voice gives me goosies! James Earl Jones is the only person today whose voice commands to to listen.
Jones speaks English as if the language was created just for him.
Amazing