Paul Robeson - Ol' Man River (HD) | Film: Showboat (1936)

[@Kinbstdds]

An inspiring human being. Among the best of us.

[@pippofan]

An incredible man. Athlete, Scholar, Activist, Actor and Singer. A man 50 years ahead of his time.

[@pamelacorbett8774]

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’

[@richarddelguidice6416]

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.

[@wilfredruffian5002]

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

[@tonniebaumeister]

@@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.

[@JustPippaNY]

He also supported Stalin and praised the Soviet suppression of the Hungarian revolution.

[@arkangelarkangel1302]

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.

[@osiruskat]

Glad I'm not alone that I get in my feelings when I watch this video.

[@CashelOConnolly]

Did you know he was a Communist

[@Lavenderpanties]

I’m In tears at that refrain, reading this comment as well 😢

[@sunnybeaches1331]

The Big Old River is still rolling.

[@HigHrvatski]

I'm tired of living and scared of dying 😭

[@NewWaveFilms]

Incredible lyrics. Used to sing this at work 😂

[@HigHrvatski]

@@NewWaveFilms He, he

[@davidpowell6098]

The best sentence ever sung, the man is a legend.

[@KingMike-un5vz]

Facts

[@ruthmaryrose]

I’ll be 76 in a couple of weeks and this describes me perfectly. 😢

[@ritab.1676]

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!

[@RenaColeman-n1g]

Happy Birthday sir and thank you my father told me about you when I were young now I'm 64 and going to teach my grandbabies.

[@pauldc1066]

The Greatest......I am humbled to watch Mr Robeson. A Treasure!

[@laytonjones2093]

Bawling watching this. Robeson was a hero to the miners of the South Wales miners

[@elianne4753]

This scene always makes me cry. His voice is powerful!

[@janesgems7]

Ditto...as a little girl this song made me cry.

[@jamesalexander3530]

​@@janesgems7as a very older man it too makes me cry cause I too am scared of dying.

[@LindaMerchant-pm8vn]

I think he sang baritone

[@osiruskat]

​@@jamesalexander3530xoxo

[@Thompson001]

How wonderful it is to realize that we live in a time when, thanks to KZbin, you can listen to those songs that existed before our days

[@subharay]

So true. And thanks to all those who enabled this, including those who "sweat and strain, body all aching and wracked with pain"

[@albertagal46]

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.

[@EdwardPeters-zg7rc]

How blessed, I have Dad's old 'fake' books. Full of oldies from musicals.

[@4HCEO]

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.

[@caseyjonessnr1200]

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.

[@otismutt]

A man of extraordinary talent, morals, courage and conviction. The greatest American who even lived. And he never died said he.

[@AnonYmous-ry2jn]

I always thought: such an amazing human being; but like all amazing human beings, they're only human beings: manifested always in different ways. Sometimes the flaw can be on a scale reflecting the accomplishments, as it the case with some famous athletes and actors and presidents (like John F. Kennedy, if you know what I mean). Paul Robeson's amazing accompishments will always stand, but it's unfortunate that the private "morals" part can't be as unequivocally affirmed as his public achievements, as is so often the case with the most accomplished and multi-talented men. Life is too full of temptation.

[@DarkwingDude-f8w]

He was a piece of shit Communist who literally simped for Joseph Stalin and excused genocide.

[@MFPhoto1]

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]

@ObamaFromKenya From what I have read or heard, Robeson was highly successful as a lawyer.

[@jennifervanalstine6493]

I heard his first secretary wouldn't take dictation from a black man. Despicable

[@jimovergaard1254]

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.

[@vernejenkinson8095]

What a voice, what a man.

[@Moral_Imperative]

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.

[@pauldc1066]

The GREAT Paul Robeson.....MY GOD!

[@RenaColeman-n1g]

I am , and gonna teach my grandbabies about this man of color and great voice, they don't tell this about Mr Roebson,what a voice!!!!!, cannot be copied. 🙏❤️

[@wendyhancock3580]

I know he came to Australia and sang for the trade unionists and they loved him, I think he was wonderful.

[@shantavanee]

Who is listening in 2024?!

[@HydumBosubey-fj5ld]

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.

[@marzipanshepherdess9190]

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!

[@fredschepers5149]

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... 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🌷

[@shantavanee]

@@HydumBosubey-fj5ld you aren’t getting old..you just know great music when you hear it!💛

[@shantavanee]

@@fredschepers5149 sounds like my playlist! 😁 I have rosemary Clooney Lady Day and Della Reese on mine aswell.💛

[@CorpusCrispy42]

The world did not deserve you Mister. Thank you for your incredible voice and service to mankind. Long live Paul Robeson

[@alles.gelogen.]

Goosebumps 💝

[@B007-g4e]

Gosh... 1936...he must have passed away by now...2024...yet his image and talent continues forever....

[@mirrbaby9854]

Yes, he went home in 1976! What a powerful voice!

[@Thompson001]

You enchanted me with your beauty

[@randybenjamin5685]

Paul Robeson is timeless.

[@ghost_anna_reads787]

His voice is like a lullaby. No matter how bad the world gets, his voice can lull me to sleep like a warm blanket. So deep and rich

[@galanis38]

Iconic,historic -- Robeson himself but also the show itself.

[@StephenLuke]

RIP Paul Robeson (1898-1976)

[@davidjgoyne]

What a magnificent singer and magnificent man throughout his life. Just watching his wonderfully expressive face inject this song with all the pathos of life is wonderful.

[@SnowdropWood]

There are parts of my ears I didn't know I had until his singing voice made them vibrate!

[@StephBer1]

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.

[@JoeBilello1969]

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.

[@frankie6954]

​@@JoeBilello1969 Absolutely ridiculous, Paul Robeson's version stands alone. He was unique, and one of a kind, standing on his own unique pedestal.

[@rian5156]

Have you heard Judy Garland sing it? I find her version very affecting

[@TheSinatraCollection]

While I agree and think Paul and William sang the song definitely better, you clearly have no idea what the film was about as it was an original collaborative production made later as a posthumous tribute for the man who wrote the compositions to every song in the film and “Ol’ Man River” was just one of many of them. The all white was supposed to be a signification that Jerome Kern reached the heavens and everyone up in heaven with him (the angels) were singing his songs to him showcasing his importance to the music industry.

[@forwheniamsuperbored8479]

1:21 My favorite part right there, symbolizing the triblations we have to put with in our lives whether is trying to fight for a better life or battling through physical aliments or mental illness or becoming more disiplined all for the sake of self-improvement when you feel like society is against you. You still fight till the end like a man of God.

[@reimourrpower9357]

Salutes to Mr. Robeson. Power to the 'Bama Brawl warriors, keep rolling along...

[@mychannel9965]

Who's is listening this masterpiece 2023 ❤❤❤ 😢😢😢

[@pamelalagree-kanotz6845]

2024!😂

[@dorothyclaretessman2263]

@@pamelalagree-kanotz6845 2024 after reading about it in John Mcaphee’s piece - midway through “The Patch”

[@dorothyclaretessman2263]

McPhee

[@matthewlunde5270]

His smile at the end. That's what really brings me to tears. He was a great guy.

[@martinh.wilson2897]

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.

[@leos4243]

He was a friend to labor anywhere on earth, true Christian and true comrade

[@davidbull5757]

Shouldnt that be MINERS UNION?

[@AI-di7ll]

​@@davidbull5757 I believe so too, but perhaps he was involved with the farmers in Wales also

[@henrydawson8767]

You know, I was very confused by your comment. But then, I hardly knew anything about Paul Robeson. So I decided to change that, and read an article or two. To say I was amazed by the character and the many great abilities of the men is an understatement. To be so capable, yet to still show great and constant feat of humility and compassion to the miners and people Wales, is as unexpected as it is inspiring. And for no better reason then the shared love of singing and a sense of justice for the underdog. And when Paul Robeson was banned from performing and travelling overseas during the McCarthy Era, it was the same welsh people who rallied and helped lead the international ‘Let Paul Robeson Sing!’ campaign and petitioned the US Supreme Court on his behalf. Which eventually helped lead to an end to his ban (an oversimplification I know, but I think I've already written far too much for a comment that I'll be surprised will be seen by any).

[@krsbchris1083]

I love the music. Hearing for the first time. Very soulful.

[@christineemery8686]

Me this was my dad's favorite singer I cherish the songs of freemen albums of Paul Robeson I inherited from my dad and listen to so much the best singer .

[@garybrockwell2031]

What a voice, what a man... Thell never be another 💪💯🆘🙏🇬🇧.

[@martythetickler]

I maintain what I always have. If Paul Robeson got together with Nelson Eddy and Mario Lanza, different generations though they all were... It would have been the greatest collaboration of three men in the history of American music.

[@melanierutherford4676]

yesterday i heard this song and i broke down in tears i love this song it has so much meaning

[@NewWaveFilms]

I know what you mean, really cuts through everything. Powerful stuff! ❤‍🔥

[@cmebans35]

🙏❤️🙏

[@ppumpkin3282]

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.

[@ramkrishnagayen-o6u]

What a song! 😢

[@mightyquinnproductions8672]

What a singer he stands alone with the emotion and power he puts into this song.

[@TheEntryCode]

I was reading an article on this song, and apparently there's... that particular slur... missing from the song. The actors/singers refused to use the original words and there are blanks. That's why is sounds fragmented in one stanza. Good for them.

[@liessmith1085]

Een mooie stem blijft door de jaren heen,zijn waarde behouden en geeft veel luisterplezier!

[@JohnRedcornJr]

Graduated from Paul Robeson High School Chicago ❤💛❤️💛

[@geckogal1024]

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

[@比嘉悟-k1j]

I first heard this song through the Righteous Brothers' version. It's an unforgettable Showboat classic for Americans.

[@marysalisbury9270]

A treasure. What a man. Paul Robeson.

[@dwaynegordon7939]

Such as powerful song. Still can’t believe this was from 1936

[@inagy2792]

A művészúr előadásában ez a dal csodálatos , gyönyörű hangja volt !!!!!!!!!!

[@jillheise4392]

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.

[@monir8209]

great song...great lyrics.... great voice... great passion

[@LindaMerchant-pm8vn]

I'm glad you tube and yt music has classics as these

[@ria8977]

Beautiful ♡

[@deemoore5335]

Real life back then meant struggle and toil to survive!

[@VibrantJuniper]

one of the best songs of that era

[@patrickslade2715]

Of that era? One of the best songs ever!

[@nbenefiel]

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.

[@flloop8178]

Jerome Kern was the composer for this, not Richard Rogers. You’re point still stands though :)

[@joanlowder1376]

What a voice. Awesome. Never seen this movie

[@michellebill8749]

Toujours aussi magique ! Ne vieillit pas .🥰

[@seabreeze4339]

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.

[@PaulGoodeK]

Same here-my dad loved Paul Robeson.

[@souvik310]

This song is translated in Bengali in India it's a revolutionary song in Bengal for all middle class & poor people.

[@Vistaspsam]

Assamese and Bengali, thanks to the amazing Bhupen Hazarika.

[@chimera8421]

One of my all time favourites. What a voice!

[@lisabateman1544]

What a voice! Incredible and like no other

[@anniejoseph8651]

Wonderful,indeed! So relevant today……We have a Bengali freedom song based on this great iconic one which is extremely popular and sung and danced to it.

[@BrooklynArbona]

One of the five greatest American songs of all time!

[@davidpowell6098]

He was this song, that's what makes it perfect to me. Amazing man.

[@NewWaveFilms]

Agreed!

[@duanejones2973]

Beautiful .

[@hortanokilli7608]

Amazing song from an amazing film.

[@jagjitisher]

Great treat for ears to listen Paul Robison.

[@theressamurphy2996]

What a wonderful voice!!🎉🎉🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@Regkam2]

Have my summer youth program listened to this giant of a human being

[@monumentofwonders]

The one and only, never another man like him.

[@mesaeddie]

What an incredible man .

[@MyszTheMouse]

Such a beautiful voice and a powerful song.

[@MONDAYMONDAY22]

I'm listening now I'm Ireland 25th April 2024

[@uniongaming93]

Hey thats my birthday!

[@MONDAYMONDAY22]

And my granddaughter was born on the same date 🎉

[@indianwomenpower]

Who is listening in November 2024?

[@Sam_G666Gaming]

Me

[@lornaturner3611]

Me

[@CaliRed56]

I have always loved his voice! I intend to share his music with my grand children.

[@jamesmoy1728]

One of the best songs of all time

[@squeegeedaniels2105]

The best song and the best singer America has ever produced. They don't make Renaissance men like Paul Robeson anymore. True working class hero.

[@larlar8580]

I love it!! Makes me think of my parents and how they shared with me their love for music❤

[@derekciwell4733]

What an amazing and soulful man , a true socialist , thank you for sharing your amazing talent with the world

[@davidbull5757]

I'm listening since the 1930s!

[@alokhaldar6855]

This song by his voice is like the best medicine for all my moods... would like to die with it....

[@reneecarter6702]

That voice 💔 what a handsome and talented artist he was…

[@kevinmoore9524]

What A Song

[@gb2096]

Magical 🙏🏼❤️

[@funkndrucked]

one of my favorite humans.....

[@KindaTrelawney-x7f]

So sad how unknown this man is in 2024. One of the greatest and most powerful figures of the 20th century.

[@adrianaclark8498]

Riveting performance! Beautiful!

[@glennsprigg2378]

I'm so sure that 99.9% of people these days, love this talented man.... His singing is 'Life-Long' xoxoxox

[@KingMike-un5vz]

Such a powerful, beautiful and sad song

[@barbaraedwards4026]

Great performance even in 2024. Love it.

[@lauranull5946]

This song overflows with heartbreak. It must have been very controversial at the time.

[@TravisLoneWolfWalsh]

he was ahead of his time

[@mcdeadsquirrel]

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.

[@gmpwamae]

I can, naturally. God gifted me a voice exactly like this.

[@louisvaccaro5865]

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.

[@humanbeing5136]

Him being a communist adds to his greatness, workers of the world unite! Amazing man

[@mcdeadsquirrel]

@@humanbeing5136 I do not think he was a died in the wool Communist. but I do not know with certainity.

[@louisvaccaro5865]

@@humanbeing5136 F---ck the communists, and all of there followers, got it!!!!!!

[@LH-fp8kr]

Fabulous......

[@stevenowell]

love it, so powerful

[@tajulislam73]

What a Strong message! What a voice!

[@BarbaraEglitis]

Such a beautiful voice.

[@markciale5246]

Goosebumps

[@thatguy20861]

Paul Robeson should have been nominated for an Oscar for his role. It's hard to tell, but I think the Supporting Oscar nominations were around the year this film came out. Another great performance by a black actor is Louise Beavers in Imitation of Life, I believe in 1934 or 35. She would have easily won (well, should have) a supporting award. Hollywood had a lot of problems with casting non white actors and feret out the films that did; however, we need to cherish the few roles given like the one Robeson had here and made spectacular.