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Song of the day

"Ol' Man River" Paul Robeson, 1936

originally written in 1925 by Oscar Hammerstein II, featured in the 1927 musical "Showboat" here

later, the musical was turned into a musical film in 1936 with Paul Robeson playing the character Joe

Old Man River always sends chills down my spine; the depiction of the exploitation of black people and the toiling of black workers, and the contrast between the uncaring and unfeeling river, lead to a haunting song.