Ol' Man River
Tony Benn, Cleo Laine and Paul Robeson Jr reflect on the emotional power of the song from the musical 'Showboat'. From March 2006.
'Old Man River' flowed out of the 1927 musical "Show Boat" with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein (pictured).
It remains with us today as both a political anthem of oppressed people and a song of deep comfort. Sung by a hospital porter it was the last song that market trader Dave Everett heard before he went into surgery and it calmed his fears.
Tony Benn recalls hearing the great Paul Robeson singing it at the House of Lords Tea Room. Including interviews with Tony Benn, Paul Robeson Jr and Cleo Laine.
Featuring:
Hugh Fordin
Tony Benn
Dave Everett
Cleo Laine
Steve Abrams
Paul Robeson Jr
Ian Bradley
Series about music that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.
Producer: Nicola Humphries
First broadcast on 91热爆 Radio 4 in March 2006.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Broadcasts
- Fri 4 Mar 2016 18:3091热爆 Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 5 Mar 2016 00:3091热爆 Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 13 Oct 2020 18:3091热爆 Radio 4 Extra
- Wed 14 Oct 2020 00:3091热爆 Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 14 Jun 2024 10:0091热爆 Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 14 Jun 2024 16:0091热爆 Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 15 Jun 2024 00:0091热爆 Radio 4 Extra
Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem
Watch the animation - Professor Mary King describes how the song became a symbol of hope.
Podcast
-
![]()
Soul Music
Series about pieces of music with a powerful emotional impact
