Robeson is a very great artist. I wish I/we knew how he felt, personally, about singing songsl ike this, and Ole Man River, which must have been his bread and butter. At some point, obviously, he can identify with the uiversal values that are present in the lyrics -- since he does sing convincingly in this material. Did he feel like hte Israelites by hte waters of Babylon, having to singfor the oppressors? I wish I knew. But the effect he creates is homesickness, pathos, and dignity.
A pure sweet voice, ...( 7 months ago by foreverforgiving)
A pure sweet voice, so melancholy here.
Listen carefully to ...( 7 months ago by CD122344)
Listen carefully to the words of the poignant second verse and the pathos with which Robeson infuses into it. A song like this and Ole Man River(which I consider one of the greatest songs ever written)held a deep personal meaning for him--much more than just bread and butter which they certainly were. And my God how he sings them! Thanks for posting this one.
As a Kentuckian, I ...( 6 months ago by cskirk)
As a Kentuckian, I can tell you this song is an abolishinist song. Listen to the lyrics carefully. The song describes a slave being sold to the deep south and the slave knows that he will have a limited life as well as being ripped from his family. From a slaves stand point KY was the place to be. Deep south meant certain death. The song was meant to demonstrate a slaves plight. I find it intellectually dishonest to not allow the original lyrics of this song to be sang at public functions.
Grandpa would have ...( 6 months ago by dcbernard)
Grandpa would have liked this treatment. He was born in Kentucky in the 1890's.
You said it , and ...( 6 months ago by lunigal)
You said it , and quite elloquently.
great recording( 4 months ago by irontoad123)
great recording
What a great voice.( 4 months ago by mrjackdaniels1850)
What a great voice.
yes he brings tears ...( 3 months ago by incaalpaca)
yes he brings tears to ones eyes with his sensitive sound and how I long to visit Kentucky soon. By the way does anyone know of a rendition with Nelson Eddy and this tune?
i'm proud of being ...( 3 months ago by doucher771)
i'm proud of being a Kentuckian!
You used the term " ...( 3 months ago by purpledynasty)
You used the term "intellectually dishonest", I'd say only that it is not true to the original lyrics and that they have been changed so that they do not offend those that are sensitive the term "darkies". Any intellectual should understand that sensitivity.
Yeah! I am ...( 3 months ago by hiddenbygrace)
Yeah! I am Kentuckian! lol - and yes, I go barefeet sometimes!!!
I understand your ...( 2 months ago by cskirk)
I understand your offense to the term darkie, but listen to the entire song. It is not an anthem for all. The song is about selling a slave to the deep South, and that slave's anxiety about being sold to a deep South owner. The song was written and sang from a Slave's view. While I detest slavery, the p.c. people have told us that this song is wrong because of the word darkie. The song is a testament to the ills of slavery.
Best rendition ever!( 2 months ago by jvbrown95)
Best rendition ever!
History is not ...( 2 months ago by cskirk)
History is not about sensitivity. When you interchange the word people with darkie the song looses meaning. Like I said the song is about a slave's plight. He is being sold from the relative ease of KY to somewhere deep South where death is sure. The song is an anti-slavery song and it should be left alone. What is wrong with accepting a historically significant song the way it was written?
WOOT! BAREFOOT! I ...( 2 months ago by hiddenbygrace)
WOOT! BAREFOOT! I LIVE IN KY TOO!
i am a kentuckian. ...( 2 months ago by morganspencerrr)
i am a kentuckian.
hahaha.
and no. i DONT go barefoot, or sleep with my siblings.
:)
what is it like in ...( 1 month ago by LCBswimmer2112)
what is it like in kentucky. i want to move there but my parents are still thinking about it.
i dont live in ...( 1 month ago by LCBswimmer2112)
i dont live in kentucky. im in indiana. but i go barefoot all the time and people say i belong in kentucky. i love ky.
Array( 1 month ago by ANTOONMAKA)
On l' écouterait des heures et des heures!
Quelle voix!
Thank you for ...( 1 month ago by kaymad)
Thank you for posting this. It was heartbreaking. Reading the comments I now fully understand what the song is about. cskirk was correct that changing the words changes the meaning. I had no idea this song was about slavery until now.
A beautifully ...( 1 month ago by SummerRkl)
A beautifully mournful melody...
Kentucky is great! ...( 4 weeks ago by Xxshizuka18xX)
Kentucky is great! I live in shepherdsvile not too far from louisville. I have no complaints and i have lived here all my life. ^_^
This thing doesn't ...( 1 week ago by HAShaw1)
This thing doesn't preserve punctuation from Word, does it?
hahaha.
and no. i DONT go barefoot, or sleep with my siblings.
:)
écouterait des heures et des heures! Quelle voix!