I am listening to a fine old recording of Paul Robeson's, "Songs of Free Men", and as always he takes me to a point where I relive once again the trauma suffered by Black folk for centuries. It is interesting that Mr. Robeson who sings songs in Russian, German, Hebrew, Spanish, and mostly English speaks for the working man of all centuries. The man bent low under atrocities and inequality, struggling just to feed a scanty meal to their families. Paul Robeson speaks to the souls of all men; deeply and personally. "Balm in Gilead," "Chassidic Chant," "John Henry," "Cradle Song," "My Curly Headed Baby," "I Still Suits Me," "It Ain't Necessarily So," and 18 other spirituals and songs of the working man.
You may remember Paul Robeson as the singer of "Old Man River," in the musical "Showboat." His voice resonates in my entire soul and I spend hours listening to the recording. One of the first black men who toured America and Europe as a operatic and soul singer. The 1930's and 1940's saw this fine man take his voice all over the world speaking to the hearts of the oppressed and changing lives. He spoke out against Nazi Germany and the atrocities of that period.
With a heart as big as the world around him Paul Robeson spoke the truth of the Black folks lot and suffering in a world that regarded anyone not purely white as somehow lower class "citizens"; citizens without the rights of citizens such as voting, equality, and a right to a life of peace. Paul Robeson's voice and his sterling character brought him to the Courts of Europe and Opera stages worldwide where the average Black man was shunned. But the beauty of his voice and the purity of his soul made people have to rethink their positions on color and how people such as the Blacks, the Native Americans, the Hispanics, and any and all immigrants were treated. In a white man's world Paul Robeson spoke out fearlessly about tragic conditions in the mining, steel mills, and average Joe's work place. Conditions were such that the Unions were needed to start giving people the proper pay and benefits that would give them a decent life and not have to fear dying on the job and leaving their families without the breadwinner.
My personal suggestion is for you to take a moment and go to Youtube and pull up Paul Robeson, "Songs of Free Men." Your heart and mind will be so grateful as his magnificent voice soothes, excites, and makes you cry-even if you don't think you would cry over music. This man was blessed by Heavenly Father to take a great message to the entire world and open people's eyes to the intrinsic worth of every single soul.
Thank you for listening and having patience with me. I am finally back to work again and hope to give you some uplifting news everyday.
You may remember Paul Robeson as the singer of "Old Man River," in the musical "Showboat." His voice resonates in my entire soul and I spend hours listening to the recording. One of the first black men who toured America and Europe as a operatic and soul singer. The 1930's and 1940's saw this fine man take his voice all over the world speaking to the hearts of the oppressed and changing lives. He spoke out against Nazi Germany and the atrocities of that period.
With a heart as big as the world around him Paul Robeson spoke the truth of the Black folks lot and suffering in a world that regarded anyone not purely white as somehow lower class "citizens"; citizens without the rights of citizens such as voting, equality, and a right to a life of peace. Paul Robeson's voice and his sterling character brought him to the Courts of Europe and Opera stages worldwide where the average Black man was shunned. But the beauty of his voice and the purity of his soul made people have to rethink their positions on color and how people such as the Blacks, the Native Americans, the Hispanics, and any and all immigrants were treated. In a white man's world Paul Robeson spoke out fearlessly about tragic conditions in the mining, steel mills, and average Joe's work place. Conditions were such that the Unions were needed to start giving people the proper pay and benefits that would give them a decent life and not have to fear dying on the job and leaving their families without the breadwinner.
My personal suggestion is for you to take a moment and go to Youtube and pull up Paul Robeson, "Songs of Free Men." Your heart and mind will be so grateful as his magnificent voice soothes, excites, and makes you cry-even if you don't think you would cry over music. This man was blessed by Heavenly Father to take a great message to the entire world and open people's eyes to the intrinsic worth of every single soul.
Thank you for listening and having patience with me. I am finally back to work again and hope to give you some uplifting news everyday.
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