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 BBC Radio 4 in March 2006.
Last on
Broadcasts
- Fri 4 Mar 201618:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 5 Mar 201600:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Tue 13 Oct 202018:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Wed 14 Oct 202000:30BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 14 Jun 202410:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 14 Jun 202416:00BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 15 Jun 202400:00BBC 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
