Coon Songs

[chibimermaid]

I guess 1928 was an interesting year for African American music (see my previous entry). It was also the year that Paul Robeson (a Phi Beta Kappa and well-known football player at Rutgers) sang "Old Man River" in his London appearance in “Show Boat,” with its original lyrics: “Niggers all work on the Mississippi, niggers all work while the white

Comments

[neku_niku]

nothing to do at all with your deep & interesting post... but my 1st job in Hollywood, I worked at the Tribune lot, which was the original Warner Brothers studio. I worked in the same building where "The Jazz Singer" was filmed all those years ago...

[chibimermaid]

Wow, that's pretty cool!

I used to live across the street from the beautiful Langham Apartment Building in Koreatown which was allegedly built by him: http://www.swelgroup.com/langham.htm

[starlollie]

You are super awesome. Just thought Id let you know I thought that in case Ive never said it.

[chibimermaid]

Aw, thank you!!!!

[sameasiteverwas]

do you collect old records?

[chibimermaid]

78s, yes.

[the_pangolin]

I remember the original lyrics to "Old Man River" -- i guess I always assumed it was intended to be a complaint and a criticism.

Paul Robeson

[anonymous]

Actually "Old Man River"'s original lyrics are a radical cry for social justice; excellent song and excellent musical, too! Robeson was one of the most progressive radicals in America and a fighter against racism and fascism.