Robeson found fame as an actor and singer with his fine bass-baritone voice. He is one of the few true basses in American music, his beautiful and powerful voice descending as low as a C below the bass clef. In addition to his stage performances, his renditions of old Negro spirituals were acclaimed; Robeson was the first to bring them to the concert stage.
Robeson's repertoire of African-American folk songs helped bring these to much wider attention both inside the US and abroad. Robeson also became interested in the folk music of the world; he came to be conversant with 20 languages, fluent or near fluent in 12. His standard repertoire after the 1920's included songs in many languages (e.g., Chinese, Russian, Yiddish, German, etc.).
Robeson was among the first performers to sing in concert on behalf of the U.S. World War II war effort. He sang and spoke out against racist conditions experienced by Asian and Black Americans; he condemned segregation in both the North and the South.
Like many intellectuals and artists of the time, Robeson supported the Soviet Union. After living as a second-class citizen under Jim Crow laws in the United States, what Robeson saw in the Soviet Union led him to believe that it was free of racial prejudice. In June 1949, Robeson visited the Soviet Union to sing in concert and was given a warm public welcome.
In 1950, after he refused to sign an affidavit that he was not a Communist, the U.S. government took away Robeson's passport and, with it, his freedom to travel outside the United States. The travel ban ended in 1958 when Robeson’s passport was returned to him after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in Kent vs. Dulles, that the Secretary of State had no right to deny a passport or require any citizen to sign an affidavit because of his political beliefs. However, because of the controversy surrounding him, all of Paul Robeson's recordings and films were withdrawn from circulation. From then until the late 1970s, it became increasingly difficult in the United States to hear Robeson sing on records or on the radio, or to see any of his films, including the highly acclaimed and successful 1936 film version of Show Boat.
Welsh miners' organisations were among the most prominent international supporters of the campaign calling for the restoration of his passport and to Let Paul Robeson Sing!. When his passport was returned, Robeson traveled to Wales to appear at the National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale. He then performed at the Miners' Eisteddfod, fulfilling a promise he had made while prevented from traveling. In 1960, Robeson's final performance at the Royal Festival Hall in London included choral accompaniment from the Cwmbach Welsh male voice choir.
Robeson's association with Wales began in 1928 while he was performing in London in the musical Show Boat. There, he met a group of unemployed miners who had taken part in a "hunger march" from South Wales to protest their situation. During the 1930s, Robeson made several visits to Welsh mining areas, including performances in Cardiff, Neath and Aberdare. A number of Welsh artists have celebrated Robeson's life: The Manic Street Preachers' song "Let Robeson Sing" appears on the album Know Your Enemy.
SHENANDOAH
Paul Robeson Lyrics
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Away, you rolling river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away, I'm bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri
Shenandoah, I took a notion
Away, you rolling river
Away, I'm bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri
'Tis seven long years since last I see thee
Away, you rolling river
'Tis seven long years since last I see thee
Away, I'm bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri
Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away, you rolling river
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
Away, I'm bound to go
'Cross the wide Missouri
The song “Shenandoah” is a traditional American folk song which tells the story of a man who longs to return to the Shenandoah River in Virginia. The singer of the song seeks the river out of a deep desire to return home, escaping from the mundane and restrictive life that he currently faces. The lyrics establish a bond between the singer and the river beyond the mere physicality of it. It seems like a metaphor for personal freedom and liberation from the constraints of life. He expresses his desire to leave “across the wide Missouri,” adding that he’s waited for “seven long years” to return to the river, which is also interpreted as the duration of his life.
The song is a heartfelt plea for freedom from a man who wants to leave his troubles behind and indulge in the comfort of his past life. The length of time being seven years might also allude to the biblical idea that states that experiencing the land for seven years entitles the traveler to earn permanent ownership. Overall, Shenandoah portrays a strong yearning for a place that represents the essence of freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer deeply desires to hear from Shenandoah
Away, you rolling river
The river is currently far away from the singer
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer is repeating their desire to hear from Shenandoah
Away, I'm bound to go
The artist is obligated or determined to leave their current location
'Cross the wide Missouri
The artist is heading towards Missouri by crossing a wide body of water
Shenandoah, I took a notion
The singer had an idea or thought about Shenandoah
To sail across the stormy ocean
The singer intends to sail across a dangerous and tumultuous ocean
'Tis seven long years since last I see thee
The artist hasn't seen Shenandoah in seven years
Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The artist still deeply wants to hear from Shenandoah
Away, you rolling river
The river is still far away from the artist
Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you
The singer is emphasizing their previous statements about wanting to hear from Shenandoah
Away, I'm bound to go
The artist is still determined to leave their current location
'Cross the wide Missouri
The singer is still heading towards Missouri by crossing a wide body of water
Writer(s): Faryl Smith, Lewis Dewitt, Don Reid, Paddy Moloney, Phil Balsley, don S. Reid, Jon Cohen, Harold Reid Copyright: Universal Music Publishing Ltd., Unichappell Music Inc., Jon Cohen Music Ltd., Chrysalis Music Ltd.
Contributed by Skyler R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Allan Fineberg
Comrades, there never will be another Robeson. What a tremendous heart, what integrity and decency. He stood up for the workers' world like few artists did.
Stirling Page
Indeed he was one of the greatest men of his era. A brilliant polymath and a motivated humanitarian. He was also admired and befriended by my personal heroine Radclyffe-Hall.
Graham Gibson
I just love Paul Robeson. He had such a powerful and resonant voice, like honey poured over thunder. Besides his obvious talent, I love too how he was one of the most avid supporters of the civil rights movement and never compromised his principles. If the only work available to him was a part that he thought would present a negative image of the black community he just wouldn't work, simple as that. Definitely an all around class act and in my opinion one of the most inspiring and interesting people of the 20th century.
Robert Castle
I agree with you.
H Mackie
u nailed that
adanhawki
"like honey poured over thunder", well put.
Wee Bad Wolf
R Bernard
I think your right ...I've so much more to learn about this fine man.. Although, was Muhammad Ali not the greatest? :) , its a close call between them... The USA has produced two great sons and has much to be proud of indeed...
Sammy Williams
I'm a sixteen year old who's been singing bass since middle school. This is someone who really gives me hope. Theres not really too much appriciation for us outside of choir music. This is beautiful, and I hope to sing even half as beautifully as this one day.
Shroom_Bus
If you’re trying to emulate Robeson, you will surely succeed
Donnie Thor Mac Leod
All the best to you Sammy & I hope you can train yourself to be such a powerful voice on stage or in the silence of your own shower stall.