Paul Robeson (April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) - Ol' Man River (Showboat - 1936) "Ol' Man River" is a show tune from the 1927 musical Show Boat with music by Jerome Kern and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, who wrote the song in 1925. The song contrasts the struggles and hardships of African Americans with the endless, uncaring flow of the Mississippi River. It is sung from the point of view of a black stevedore on a showboat, and is the most famous song from the show. The song is meant to be pe

Composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the American masterpiece, 'Ol' Man River' with the actor, singer and civil rights icon, Paul Robeson in mind. Although he could not be in the premiere production, he went on to star in the 1928 London production, and in June of that year, he released his recording of 'Ol' Man River.' Sung in Robeson's rich, distinctive baritone, it has become for many the definitive version of the song. Here is Morris Robinson's gorgeous rendition in S