A disciple of Luciano Pavarotti and Zucchero Fornaciari, the blind, Tuscany-born, vocalist has emerged as one of the most exciting voices in contemporary opera. His participation in Pavarotti's 1992 hit, Miserere, and Fornaciari's 1993 world tour brought him international attention. Opera, however, represents only one side of his musical persona. Bocelli has been equally successful as a pop ballad singer, having recorded duets with Celine Dion, Sarah Brightman and Eros Ramazzotti. Al Jarreau, who sang with Bocelli during The Night of Proms in November 1995, praised Bocelli when he said, "I have had the honour to sing with the most beautiful voice in the world." Bocelli grew up on a farm in Lajatico, a rural village in Tuscany. Beginning piano lessons at the age of six, he later added flute and saxophone.
Despite his obvious musical talents, Bocelli didn't consider a career in music until he had studied law at the University of Pisa and had earned a Doctor Of Law degree. Inspired to pursue music, he studied with famed tenor Franco Corelli, supporting himself by performing in piano bars.
Bocelli's first break as a singer came in 1992 when Fornaciari auditioned tenors to record a demo tape of Miserere, which he had co-written with Bono of U2. Successfully passing the audition, Bocelli recorded the tune as a duet with Pavarotti.
After touring with Fornaciari in 1993, Bocelli performed as a guest star in the Pavarotti International festival held in Modena in September 1994. In addition to performing solo and in a duet with Pavarotti, Bocelli sang with Bryan Adams, Andreas Vollenweider and Nancy Gustavsson. In November 1995, Bocelli toured Holland, Belgium, Germany, Spain and France with "Night Of Proms", which also featured Al Jarreau, Bryan Ferry, Roger Hodgson of Supertramp and John Miles.
Bocelli's first two albums -- Il Mare Calmo Della Sera in 1994 and Bocelli in 1996 -- showcased his operatic singing. His third effort, Viaggio Italiano, featured famous arias and traditional songs from Naples. Although released only in Italy, the album sold more than 300,000 copies. With his fourth album, Romanza, released in 1997, Bocelli turned to pop music. The album included the hit, Time to Say Goodbye, recorded as a duet with Sarah Brightman. Bocelli continued to focus on pop balladry with his fifth album, Sogno, released in 1999, which featured a duet with Celine Dion of the David Foster- and Carole Bayer Sager-penned tune, The Prayer, sold more than ten million copies, received a Golden Globe award and led to Bocelli being nominated for a Grammy as "best new artist".
Ol' Man River
Andrea Bocelli Lyrics
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Here we all work, while the white boys play
Pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset
Gettin' no rest till the judgment day
You don't look up, you don't look down
You don't dare make the white boss frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River
He must know somethin', but he don't say nothin'
He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along
He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton
And them that plants 'em is soon forgotten
But Ol' Man River, it just keeps rollin' along
You and me, we sweat and strain
Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain
Tote that barge and lift that bale
Get a little drunk and ya lands in jail
I get weary and so sick of tryin'
I'm tired of livin', but feared of dyin'
And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along
In Andrea Bocelli's song Ol' Man River, he expresses the hardships and struggles of African American laborers who work along the Mississippi river under the oppressive white bosses who neglect and discriminate against them. The lyrics depict the stark reality of the laborers who toil under harsh conditions and face constant prejudice. The first two lines establish the contrast between the leisure of the white boss and the incessant labor of the black workers. The phrase 'pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset' serves to exemplify the laborious nature of this work, which offers no respite until the 'judgment day.'
The chorus of the song, 'Ol' Man River, he must know somethin', but he don't say nothin', he just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along,' refers to the Mississippi river, which has watched over generations of laborers and has seen the plight of the oppressed. The phrase 'he must know somethin', but he don't say nothin'' captures the cynical attitude of the oppressed workers who feel like their struggles and suffering are all in vain. The song's last stanza serves as a lamentation of the toll that this work takes on the workers while the river, impassive, continues to move ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Here we all work 'long the Mississippi
We work hard along the Mississippi River.
Here we all work, while the white boys play
We work while white people have fun.
Pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset
We pull boats from sunrise to sunset.
Gettin' no rest till the judgment day
We don't get any rest until we die.
You don't look up, you don't look down
You don't look up or down to avoid getting into trouble.
You don't dare make the white boss frown
You don't want to make the white boss angry.
Bend your knees and bow your head
You bend your knees and bow your head to show submission.
And pull that rope until you're dead
You pull the rope until you die.
Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River
The Mississippi River that keeps flowing is personified as an old man.
He must know somethin', but he don't say nothin'
The river knows something but doesn't speak.
He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along
The river continues to flow without end.
He don't plant taters, and he don't plant cotton
The river doesn't plant crops.
And them that plants 'em is soon forgotten
Those who plant crops are quickly forgotten.
But Ol' Man River, it just keeps rollin' along
The river continues to flow and doesn't care about those who work on it.
You and me, we sweat and strain
We work hard and suffer.
Bodies all achin' and wracked with pain
Our bodies hurt and are in pain.
Tote that barge and lift that bale
We carry heavy objects all day.
Get a little drunk and ya lands in jail
If we drink and get drunk, we could end up in jail.
I get weary and so sick of tryin'
I am exhausted and tired of trying.
I'm tired of livin', but feared of dyin'
I am tired of living and scared of dying.
And Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along
The river continues to flow no matter what we do.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Ii Hammerstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind