Ol' Man River

Available for over a year

'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.