June 19th: Paul Robeson

This week's Friday's music honors the great Paul Robeson, pro football player, socialist activist, Columbia-educated lawyer, fighter for African independence, warrior who confronted and shamed the McCarthyist-inspired House Committee on Un-American Activities, and without a doubt the greatest bass baritone singer in American history. When asked by that Committee why he didn't move to the Soviet Union if he liked their ideology so much, he replied,

"Because my father was a slave and my people died to build [the United States and], I am going to stay here, and have a part of it just like you and no fascist-minded people will drive me from it!" Here he sings his famous version of "Old Man River," whose words he changed from a message of tragic resignation ("I gets weary/Sick of trying/I'm tired of living/Feared of dying") to one of courage, resistance and continuing to fight ("But I keep laffin'/ Instead of cryin'/ I must keep fightin'/ Until I'm dyin'").

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWdZ3ZrwW9c