No.58

Paul Robeson 1898-1976

American athlete, singer, actor and civil rights activist

While a student at university, he experienced a great deal of prejudice and even violence because of his colour. He excelled in basketball, baseball and track events, and was twice named to the All-American Football Team.

In 1923 he left university with a lawyer’s degree, but the problem about not being white was always present. When a secretary refused to take dictation from him, he gave up his job with a legal firm and went on the stage.

He appeared in 11 films including “Showboat” (1936).

Here he is with Uta Hagen in "Othello"

In 1944 following his success in “Othello” he won the Donaldson Award for Best Acting performance.

Outside the USA Paul Robeson was welcomed warmly everywhere he went, but at home life was very different for him and all coloured people.

In 1950 he appeared before the All-American Activities Committee and from that year till 1958 his passport was denied him.

Ol' man river,

Dat ol' man river

He mus' know sumpin'

But don't say nuthin',

He jes' keeps rollin'

He keeps on rollin' along.

He don' plant taters,

He don' 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 dat barge, Lift dat bale, 

Git a little drunk an' you lands in gaol,

Ah gits weary an' sick of tryin'

Ah'm tired of livin' an' feered of dyin',

But ol' man river,

He jes' keeps rolling' along.

Interestingly, after he became involved in the struggle for racial equality, he changed 2 lines in the song. At the end, instead of the sad “I’m tired of livin’ and feared of dyin” he substituted the confident declaration “I must keep fightin’ until I’m dyin’!”

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