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Ol' Man River

Soul Music Series 5

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 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in March 2006.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 15 Jun 2024 00:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

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  • Fri 4 Mar 2016 18:30
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 5 Mar 2016 00:30
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  • Tue 13 Oct 2020 18:30
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  • Wed 14 Oct 2020 00:30
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  • Sat 15 Jun 2024 00:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

Why Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' became a Civil Rights anthem

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