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Paul Robeson, Old Man River |
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There's an ol' man called de Mississippi;
That's the ol' man that I want to be!
What does he care if the world's got troubles?
What does he care if the land ain't free..
Ol' Man River,
That Ol' Man River
He mus' know sumpin'
But don't say nuthin',
He jes' keeps rollin',
He keeps on rollin' along.
He don't plant taters,
He don't plant cotton,
An' dem dat plants 'em
Is soon forgotten,
But Ol' Man River,
He jes' keeps rollin' along
You an' me, we sweat an' strain,
Body all achin' an' racked wid pain -
Tote that barge, lift that bale
Get a little drunk and
You lands in jail...
I gets weary and sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin'
And scared of dyin'
And Ol' Man River,
He just keeps rollin' along
Listen to Ol' Man River
'Old Man River'
Paul Robeson remembered with Black History Month exhibit
Scholar, athlete, linguist, singer, actor, orator and activist these are the words that describe Paul Robeson, who became an American legend despite the racial injustices he endured.
An exhibit at The Gallery at Mercer County Community College features rare photographs, an oil painting, a videotape with scenes from some of Robeson's best performances and an audio tape including "Ol' Man River," "Joe Hill," excerpts from "Othello" and many of his public speeches. Born in Princeton, the son of a former slave and a minister, Paul Robeson towered over his peers. He was the third African American admitted to Rutgers University and one of only two black students on campus in his four years. Excluded from the school dormitory, he lived with a family in the black section of New Brunswick.
Paul Robeson by Lester Walton.
Paul Robeson by Sasha. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year and delivered the valedictorian address at graduation.
Paul Robeson became the first African American to dominate college football. His locker was separate and he roomed alone when the team traveled. Despite this, he also distinguished himself in baseball, basketball and track, and was on the varsity debate team and glee club.
Playing football professionally while studying law at Columbia University, he also supported himself by working in the Post Office, singing, coaching basketball and acting. His first stage appearance was in "Simon the Cyrenian." Eslanda Cardozo Goode, a chemist with a degree from Columbia, became Paul Robeson's wife in 1921. Demonstrating his belief in "the oneness of humankind," Paul Robeson's character infused and informed the popular culture of the 1930s and 1940s. Not only did he command the attention of the top photographic artists of the day, but the leading intellectuals and writers sought his company as well. Eugene O'Neill, George Gershwin, Theodore Dreiser and Langston Hughes were among his friends. Included in the exhibit are photographs by Edward Steichen, Yousuf Karsh, Carl Van Vechten, Gordon Parks and Sasha. One wall of The Gallery includes a series of nude photographs by Nickolas Muray, in which Robeson appears like a Rodin sculpture. Other highlights are photographs of Robeson on Broadway as Othello, in performance at London's Royal Albert Hall, and singing "Ballad for Americans" with the People's Chorus in 1940.
A PAUL ROBESON CHRONOLOGY
1898 Paul Robeson is born
1901 His father, William Drew Robeson, is forced to resign after 20 years as pastor of Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church
1904 His mother, Maria Louisa Robeson, dies in an accidental kitchen fire
1915 Paul plays Othello in high school production
1921 Marries Eslanda Goode
1922 Makes professional acting debut in "Taboo"
Paul Robeson during the 1943-44 Broadway production of "Othello," in an oil painting by Anne Beadenkopf.
Staff photo by Mark Czajkowski
1923 Graduates from Columbia Law School
1927 Son Paul Robeson Jr. is born; Oscar Hammerstein II writes "Ol' Man River" for Robeson in "Showboat," London
1930 Opens in "Othello"
1947 At peak of his artistic career, announces he is temporarily retiring as concert performer; raising money to fight S. African apartheid
1949 Argues before World Peace Congress in Paris that it is unthinkable for American black people to go to war on behalf of those who had oppressed them for generations against the Soviet Union "which in one generation has raised our people to full human dignity." His words are labeled treasonous and he is targeted by the FBI, CIA and State Department. African American organizations denounce him and declare loyalty to U.S. Annual income goes from more than $150,000 to $6,000; his passport is canceled, no recording studio will rent to him, his phone is tapped, his mail is opened. Despite this, he continues his musical career and scholarly activities.
1956 Robeson is subpoenaed by the House Committee on Un-American Activities; the committee votes unanimously to cite him for contempt, but the full House of Representatives adjourns without taking up the matter
1957 Returns to the concert stage
1958 Sings two sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall
1965 Eslanda dies
1972 Paul Robeson is inducted into National Theatre Hall of Fame as charter member
1976 Dies at age 77 |
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