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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:13,953 --> 00:00:17,515 There are moments in a great artist's life... 2 00:00:17,617 --> 00:00:19,745 which should be remembered forever. 3 00:00:19,853 --> 00:00:25,121 Yet, for Paul Robeson, those moments were nearly obliterated, blotted out... 4 00:00:25,225 --> 00:00:30,823 by the fears and political anxieties which gripped America in the early 1950s. 5 00:00:31,965 --> 00:00:35,800 One such moment occurred over half a century ago. 6 00:00:35,902 --> 00:00:38,497 Oscar Hammerstein and Jerome Kern wrote a song... 7 00:00:38,605 --> 00:00:42,133 expressly for and dedicated to a young singer. 8 00:00:42,242 --> 00:00:46,179 No one who has ever heard Paul Robeson sing "Ol' Man River"... 9 00:00:46,279 --> 00:00:48,805 will ever forget it. 10 00:00:48,915 --> 00:00:51,544 ♪ Ol' Man River ♪ 11 00:00:51,651 --> 00:00:54,314 ♪ That Ol' Man River ♪ 12 00:00:54,420 --> 00:00:57,083 ♪ He must know somethin' ♪ 13 00:00:57,190 --> 00:00:59,750 ♪ But don't say nothin' ♪ 14 00:00:59,859 --> 00:01:02,658 ♪ He just keeps rollin' ♪ 15 00:01:02,762 --> 00:01:08,668 ♪ He keeps on rollin' along ♪ 16 00:01:09,702 --> 00:01:12,570 ♪ He don't plant taters ♪ 17 00:01:12,672 --> 00:01:15,506 ♪ He don't plant cotton ♪ 18 00:01:15,608 --> 00:01:21,275 ♪ Them that plants 'em is soon forgotten ♪ 19 00:01:21,381 --> 00:01:24,647 ♪ But Ol' Man River ♪ 20 00:01:24,751 --> 00:01:30,657 ♪ He just keeps rollin' along ♪ 21 00:01:30,757 --> 00:01:34,250 ♪ I gets weary ♪ 22 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:36,920 ♪ And sick of tryin' ♪ 23 00:01:37,030 --> 00:01:41,968 "Ol' Man River" was to be associated with Robeson for the rest of his life. 24 00:01:42,068 --> 00:01:45,038 The words he sang were to change gradually... 25 00:01:45,138 --> 00:01:48,836 as Paul Robeson and the world around him changed. 26 00:01:48,942 --> 00:01:52,379 ♪ He just keeps rollin' ♪ 27 00:01:52,478 --> 00:01:59,646 ♪ Along ♪♪ 28 00:01:59,752 --> 00:02:02,449 But even if "Ol' Man River" had never been written... 29 00:02:02,555 --> 00:02:04,456 there was another moment. 30 00:02:04,557 --> 00:02:08,289 It was a performance on stage that still stands in the record books: 31 00:02:08,394 --> 00:02:13,765 the longest-running Shakespearean play in the history of the Broadway theater. 32 00:02:13,866 --> 00:02:16,267 It was a part many actors have played. 33 00:02:16,369 --> 00:02:18,770 Emil Jannings, Walter Hampden... 34 00:02:18,871 --> 00:02:21,431 Walter Huston, Orson Welles... 35 00:02:21,541 --> 00:02:23,533 Laurence Olivier. 36 00:02:23,643 --> 00:02:26,545 But none equaled Robeson... 37 00:02:26,646 --> 00:02:29,241 as Othello the Moor. 38 00:02:29,349 --> 00:02:31,545 A performance that was the culmination... 39 00:02:31,651 --> 00:02:36,055 of 20 years of work and understanding. 40 00:02:36,155 --> 00:02:38,124 Robeson recollects. 41 00:02:38,224 --> 00:02:42,423 I had just come over from America and was likely to say"pass" and "chance"... 42 00:02:42,528 --> 00:02:45,362 and—and "dew" for the morning dew. 43 00:02:45,465 --> 00:02:49,527 And, uh—And I happened to pick up an old script of, uh—of Shakespeare... 44 00:02:49,636 --> 00:02:51,537 and the "dew" was very clear. 45 00:02:51,638 --> 00:02:53,539 It was D-I-E-W. 46 00:02:53,640 --> 00:02:56,769 And the—It was not "chance." C-H-A-U-N-C. 47 00:02:56,876 --> 00:02:59,641 So it was "diew," like in lieu of. 48 00:02:59,746 --> 00:03:03,808 And, uh—And "chance" and "dance." It was very, very Shakespearean. 49 00:03:03,916 --> 00:03:05,942 And, uh—And, uh... 50 00:03:06,052 --> 00:03:08,248 one terrible difficult sound... 51 00:03:08,354 --> 00:03:10,914 was—was my— almost at the beginning of the play. 52 00:03:11,024 --> 00:03:13,516 "My services which I have done the signory." 53 00:03:13,626 --> 00:03:15,822 "My services." "Services." 54 00:03:15,928 --> 00:03:20,389 I would say"my services," "my services." I had to work on that very hard. 55 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:23,163 But later I took some special work, University of London. 56 00:03:23,269 --> 00:03:26,467 And also in my university days I majored in English... 57 00:03:26,572 --> 00:03:28,939 and I have records from the earliest time— 58 00:03:29,042 --> 00:03:32,479 from the time of Anglo-Saxons, as a matter of fact, through Chaucer. 59 00:03:32,578 --> 00:03:34,809 And, uh, I've— And of course, since... 60 00:03:34,914 --> 00:03:38,043 I've worked on my songs with Roger Quilter, and I would have to use drawl. 61 00:03:38,151 --> 00:03:40,052 I couldn't walk out here and say... 62 00:03:40,153 --> 00:03:42,987 "Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine." 63 00:03:43,089 --> 00:03:48,084 It's got to be very— ♪ Drink to me only with thine eyes ♪ 64 00:03:48,194 --> 00:03:52,256 ♪ And I will pledge with mine ♪♪ 65 00:03:52,365 --> 00:03:56,302 Yet Robeson's Othello was more important for another reason. 66 00:03:56,402 --> 00:03:58,371 Simple human dignity. 67 00:03:59,405 --> 00:04:03,809 White men wearing black makeup had been kissing Desdemona for years on the American stage... 68 00:04:03,910 --> 00:04:09,816 but this was the first time a black man would play Othello with a white supporting cast. 69 00:04:09,916 --> 00:04:12,351 Actually, in 1826... 70 00:04:12,452 --> 00:04:15,320 one other black American, Ira Aldridge... 71 00:04:15,421 --> 00:04:18,687 had played Othello throughout Europe with an all-black cast. 72 00:04:18,791 --> 00:04:20,851 Magnificent actor that he was... 73 00:04:20,960 --> 00:04:26,763 Ira Aldridge was not allowed to play Othello in his native land, America. 74 00:04:26,866 --> 00:04:29,631 But in 1943, America had changed. 75 00:04:29,736 --> 00:04:33,935 Margaret Webster directed Robeson in Othello. 76 00:04:34,974 --> 00:04:37,876 The moment he stepped onto that stage... 77 00:04:37,977 --> 00:04:41,277 he was not only a black man, but he was a great black man. 78 00:04:41,381 --> 00:04:43,350 A man of stature. 79 00:04:43,449 --> 00:04:46,191 Somehow or other he put the play in focus. 80 00:04:46,652 --> 00:04:48,814 Shakespeare, the genius that he was... 81 00:04:48,921 --> 00:04:50,856 seemed to foreshadow and understand... 82 00:04:50,957 --> 00:04:53,859 many of the problems that have since arisen in our world. 83 00:04:53,960 --> 00:04:55,861 Perhaps were present then. 84 00:04:55,962 --> 00:04:59,899 First I would say that here is a part which has dignity for the Negro actor. 85 00:04:59,999 --> 00:05:02,264 Often we don't get those opportunities. 86 00:05:02,368 --> 00:05:05,964 And I would say that my people will be very proud of—of—of— 87 00:05:06,072 --> 00:05:09,600 of my or any other Negro actor appearing in such a part. 88 00:05:09,709 --> 00:05:13,874 I think also there—that to me Othello is one of a different culture. 89 00:05:13,980 --> 00:05:16,973 Shakespeare insists that he's African. Some argued whether he's— 90 00:05:17,083 --> 00:05:21,453 The—The word black and—and the fact that he's from Africa is very clear to me. 91 00:05:21,554 --> 00:05:24,388 - Hmm. - And that Shakespeare posed this problem... 92 00:05:24,490 --> 00:05:27,221 of a, say, black man in a white society. 93 00:05:27,527 --> 00:05:31,430 Robeson's career started in the early 1920s. 94 00:05:31,531 --> 00:05:33,966 It was a time of the Negro renaissance... 95 00:05:34,066 --> 00:05:38,561 and the early works of black musicians, poets, writers and painters... 96 00:05:38,671 --> 00:05:41,004 were coming to the attention of the American public. 97 00:05:41,107 --> 00:05:44,134 Robeson was supporting himself through law school by acting... 98 00:05:44,243 --> 00:05:46,678 when he was seen by Eugene O'Neill. 99 00:05:47,780 --> 00:05:51,911 It was his performance as the Emperor Jones in a revival of the O'Neill play... 100 00:05:52,018 --> 00:05:55,853 that first brought Robeson to the consciousness of the theatrical world. 101 00:05:55,955 --> 00:05:57,856 ...enough noise. 102 00:05:57,957 --> 00:06:00,119 Smithers, cigarette. 103 00:06:00,226 --> 00:06:05,221 There is no visual record of Robeson's performance in 1924. 104 00:06:05,331 --> 00:06:09,632 This is a scene from the film, which was made nine years later. 105 00:06:25,718 --> 00:06:27,291 Smithers... 106 00:06:27,721 --> 00:06:32,125 you has just had an audience with de Emperor Jones. 107 00:06:33,226 --> 00:06:35,127 In the next four years... 108 00:06:35,228 --> 00:06:38,027 the sound of Robeson's voice was heard around the world. 109 00:06:38,131 --> 00:06:40,430 ♪ He must know somethin' ♪ 110 00:06:40,533 --> 00:06:44,868 In 1928, Robeson opened in the London production of Show Boat. 111 00:06:44,971 --> 00:06:49,671 And it's interesting that when he recorded "Ol' Man River" for the first time a year earlier... 112 00:06:49,776 --> 00:06:54,339 he sang the original Hammerstein lyrics using the word "niggers." 113 00:06:54,447 --> 00:06:58,316 ♪ Niggers all work on the Mississippi ♪ 114 00:06:58,418 --> 00:07:02,185 ♪ Niggers all work while the white folks play ♪ 115 00:07:02,288 --> 00:07:05,383 ♪ Pullin' dem boats from the dawn to♪♪ 116 00:07:05,492 --> 00:07:11,454 By 1928, Robeson had persuaded Hammerstein to change the word to "darkies"... 117 00:07:11,564 --> 00:07:15,660 which may seem less than any change at all in terms of today's thinking... 118 00:07:15,769 --> 00:07:21,367 but the lyrics of "Ol' Man River" were eventually to change mightily in the years to come. 119 00:07:22,409 --> 00:07:26,005 It was 1930. Success piled on success. 120 00:07:26,112 --> 00:07:31,847 Impresario Max Reinhardt decided to produce one American play in Berlin: 121 00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:33,852 Der Kaiser Jones. 122 00:07:33,953 --> 00:07:36,047 Or as one German newspaper headlined: 123 00:07:36,156 --> 00:07:38,682 Der Schwarze Kaiser. 124 00:07:39,793 --> 00:07:41,762 Robeson set another landmark. 125 00:07:44,798 --> 00:07:48,826 Paul Robeson had still another career: on the concert stage. 126 00:07:48,935 --> 00:07:51,166 It happened almost by accident. 127 00:07:51,271 --> 00:07:56,266 Back in 1924, he was rehearsing the last act of The Emperor Jones... 128 00:07:56,376 --> 00:08:01,508 and the script called for Jones to exit, hands in his pocket, whistling a tune. 129 00:08:01,614 --> 00:08:03,640 Robeson said he couldn't whistle. 130 00:08:03,750 --> 00:08:08,085 The director said, "Well, hum... or sing, if you want to." 131 00:08:08,188 --> 00:08:13,252 ♪ Lord God ofAbraham ♪ 132 00:08:13,359 --> 00:08:18,024 ♪ Isaac and Israel ♪ 133 00:08:18,131 --> 00:08:21,898 ♪ This day let it be known ♪ 134 00:08:22,001 --> 00:08:25,267 - Here. Steady, mate. Steady. - ♪ That though art God ♪ 135 00:08:25,371 --> 00:08:29,502 ♪ And that I am thy servant ♪ 136 00:08:29,609 --> 00:08:32,135 ♪ Lord God ♪ 137 00:08:32,245 --> 00:08:35,613 ♪ OfAbraham ♪ 138 00:08:35,715 --> 00:08:39,846 ♪ Hear Oh, hear me, Lord ♪ 139 00:08:39,953 --> 00:08:43,014 ♪ And answer me ♪ 140 00:08:43,123 --> 00:08:45,319 ♪ Oh, hear me, Lord, and answer me ♪ 141 00:08:45,425 --> 00:08:50,056 ♪ Lord God of Abraham ♪ 142 00:08:50,163 --> 00:08:53,133 ♪ Isaac and Israel ♪ 143 00:08:53,233 --> 00:08:59,139 ♪ Oh, hear me Oh, hear me, and answer me ♪ 144 00:08:59,239 --> 00:09:02,573 ♪ And show this people ♪ 145 00:09:02,675 --> 00:09:05,668 ♪ That thou art Lord God ♪ 146 00:09:05,778 --> 00:09:11,740 ♪ And let their hearts be turned ♪ 147 00:09:11,851 --> 00:09:15,652 ♪ And let their hearts ♪ 148 00:09:15,755 --> 00:09:22,923 ♪ Be turned ♪ 149 00:09:23,029 --> 00:09:26,488 ♪ Lord God ♪ 150 00:09:26,599 --> 00:09:30,627 ♪ Of Abraham ♪♪ 151 00:09:35,275 --> 00:09:38,473 - Here. Was that you? - Yeah. Was it all right? 152 00:09:41,314 --> 00:09:43,783 Robeson sang all over the world. 153 00:09:43,883 --> 00:09:47,581 He sang for the people, and he sang for the royal families... 154 00:09:47,687 --> 00:09:50,589 of England, Romania, Greece, Yugoslavia. 155 00:09:50,690 --> 00:09:55,560 As Robeson's view of the world expanded, so did his music. 156 00:09:55,662 --> 00:09:57,722 He became competent in many languages. 157 00:09:57,831 --> 00:10:01,825 He began to sing folk songs in the languages they were written in. 158 00:10:01,935 --> 00:10:07,806 So the idea of my concert is one suggestion that all men are brothers because of their music. 159 00:10:07,907 --> 00:10:11,901 And in my first group, I do an old English song. 160 00:10:12,012 --> 00:10:16,575 I do an old song from about the 11th or 12th century from Czechoslovakia. 161 00:10:16,683 --> 00:10:20,051 The Moravian chorales of about the 11th and 12th centuries... 162 00:10:20,153 --> 00:10:25,456 preceded the chorales upon which Johann Sebastian Bach based his music. 163 00:10:25,558 --> 00:10:29,154 So I take this, and then I do a Bach chorale. 164 00:10:29,262 --> 00:10:32,926 And then I create slight confusion by doing a Negro spiritual right in the middle. 165 00:10:33,033 --> 00:10:34,934 Because it belongs there. 166 00:10:39,939 --> 00:10:42,966 Two Robeson concerts stand out. 167 00:10:43,076 --> 00:10:45,636 One on a day a war stood still. 168 00:10:45,745 --> 00:10:49,876 It was January 27, 1938, at Teruel, Spain. 169 00:10:49,983 --> 00:10:53,283 Robeson had come to the front to sing to the Republican soldiers. 170 00:10:53,386 --> 00:10:55,821 Somehow the shooting quieted down. 171 00:10:55,922 --> 00:10:58,221 Loudspeakers were put up, and for a day... 172 00:10:58,324 --> 00:11:03,456 a war stopped while two opposing armies listened to a man sing. 173 00:11:03,563 --> 00:11:06,226 ♪ He must know somethin' ♪ 174 00:11:06,332 --> 00:11:09,131 ♪ But don't say nothin' ♪ 175 00:11:09,235 --> 00:11:12,296 ♪ He just keeps rollin' ♪ 176 00:11:12,405 --> 00:11:17,105 In Spain, another change in the words of "Ol' Man River." 177 00:11:17,210 --> 00:11:19,645 "I'm tired of living and scared of dying"... 178 00:11:19,746 --> 00:11:23,877 became "We must keep fighting until we're dying." 179 00:11:23,983 --> 00:11:27,112 ♪ I keeps laughin' ♪ 180 00:11:27,220 --> 00:11:30,452 ♪ Instead of cryin' ♪ 181 00:11:30,557 --> 00:11:34,050 ♪ We must keep fightin' ♪ 182 00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:38,325 ♪ Until we're dyin' ♪ 183 00:11:38,431 --> 00:11:42,459 "Ol' Man River" was beginning to turn from a song of lament... 184 00:11:42,569 --> 00:11:45,767 to a song of political protest. 185 00:11:45,872 --> 00:11:51,140 ♪ Along♪♪ 186 00:11:53,046 --> 00:11:57,177 The other unforgettable concert was in St. Paul's Cathedral in London. 187 00:11:57,283 --> 00:12:03,086 Robeson chose the hymn "Jacob's Ladder," and he sang for 4,000 people in the cathedral... 188 00:12:03,189 --> 00:12:06,591 and 5,000 more who stood outside and listened. 189 00:12:07,694 --> 00:12:13,292 ♪ We are climbing Jacob's ladder ♪ 190 00:12:13,399 --> 00:12:19,066 ♪ We are climbing Jacob's ladder ♪ 191 00:12:19,172 --> 00:12:24,475 ♪ We are climbing Jacob's ladder ♪ 192 00:12:24,577 --> 00:12:30,346 ♪ Soldiers of the cross ♪ 193 00:12:30,450 --> 00:12:35,946 ♪ Do you think I'll make a soldier ♪ 194 00:12:36,055 --> 00:12:41,494 ♪ Do you think I'll make a soldier ♪ 195 00:12:41,594 --> 00:12:46,999 ♪ Do you think I'll make a soldier ♪ 196 00:12:47,100 --> 00:12:50,935 ♪ Soldier of the cross ♪♪ 197 00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:56,542 In 1933, the same Eugene O'Neill play, The Emperor Jones... 198 00:12:56,643 --> 00:13:01,843 which began Robeson's acting career, became his first major motion picture. 199 00:13:03,349 --> 00:13:06,615 ♪ All the way to the jail, boy ♪ 200 00:13:06,719 --> 00:13:10,520 ♪ Yes, back to the jail ♪ 201 00:13:10,623 --> 00:13:16,529 ♪ Water boy ♪ 202 00:13:17,630 --> 00:13:23,536 ♪ Where are you hidin' ♪ 203 00:13:24,904 --> 00:13:27,874 ♪ If you don't a-come ♪ 204 00:13:27,974 --> 00:13:33,436 ♪ I'm goin' to tell your mammy ♪ 205 00:13:34,514 --> 00:13:37,177 ♪ Water boy♪♪ 206 00:13:37,283 --> 00:13:42,221 Robeson's next major performance was in Show Boat in 1936. 207 00:13:43,489 --> 00:13:46,254 Robeson starred in 11 films. 208 00:13:46,359 --> 00:13:49,227 In H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines... 209 00:13:49,329 --> 00:13:53,596 he played the warrior king, Umbopa. 210 00:13:53,700 --> 00:13:57,068 It is agreed. Tomorrow, at the smelling out of the evildoers... 211 00:13:57,170 --> 00:13:59,833 they will lead the people of the Kukuana against Twala. 212 00:13:59,939 --> 00:14:02,568 But I need your help. 213 00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:06,077 And in return, I offer you your lives and the freedom of the mines. 214 00:14:06,179 --> 00:14:09,775 For you, the diamonds, riches. 215 00:14:09,882 --> 00:14:11,908 For you, adventure. 216 00:14:12,018 --> 00:14:14,817 For you, the happiness of the "Inkasikas." 217 00:14:15,922 --> 00:14:17,982 Today you saw how Twala treats strangers. 218 00:14:18,091 --> 00:14:21,459 If your father is alive, he is in the mine. 219 00:14:23,863 --> 00:14:25,764 How can we help you? 220 00:14:25,865 --> 00:14:28,061 Behind Twala stands Gagool. 221 00:14:28,167 --> 00:14:30,227 The people fear her magic. 222 00:14:30,336 --> 00:14:33,795 They will rise only if you show them a greater magic. 223 00:14:33,906 --> 00:14:37,104 But you've lived among us. You know that the white man has no magic. 224 00:14:37,210 --> 00:14:39,611 - I must have magic. - And if we cannot give it? 225 00:14:39,712 --> 00:14:42,773 The drums will roll at the smelling out. 226 00:14:42,882 --> 00:14:44,817 Gagool will give the sign. 227 00:14:44,917 --> 00:14:47,978 Killers will speed to the evildoers. 228 00:14:48,087 --> 00:14:50,215 They will beat us to death. 229 00:14:50,323 --> 00:14:54,055 ♪ They can't stop us singing ♪ 230 00:14:54,160 --> 00:14:57,927 And a coal miner in Sir Michael Balcon's The Proud Valley. 231 00:15:04,904 --> 00:15:08,739 - Hey, lads. What shall we sing? - What about— 232 00:15:08,841 --> 00:15:12,869 Fine. Come on, David, man. Give 'em a lead. 233 00:15:12,979 --> 00:15:18,111 ♪ Back to work with no repining ♪ 234 00:15:18,217 --> 00:15:23,952 ♪ All through the night ♪ 235 00:15:24,057 --> 00:15:29,496 ♪ Overhead the stars are shining ♪ 236 00:15:29,595 --> 00:15:34,659 ♪ All through the night we're singing ♪ 237 00:15:49,349 --> 00:15:54,788 ♪ All through the night ♪♪ 238 00:15:58,925 --> 00:16:01,554 Well, that's that. 239 00:16:01,661 --> 00:16:05,154 - Here, Em. - It's no use, Dave. 240 00:16:05,265 --> 00:16:07,860 People are blind. They're properly in the cart. 241 00:16:08,968 --> 00:16:11,597 - You ought to get out of this place. - Why? 242 00:16:11,704 --> 00:16:13,639 I pay my way. 243 00:16:13,740 --> 00:16:16,972 There's my 17-bob dole money. I do my bit on a slag heap. 244 00:16:17,077 --> 00:16:20,570 - I try not to eat too much. - If you had any sense, you'd go. 245 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,240 - Try the Dutton Valley. - No, Em. 246 00:16:23,349 --> 00:16:25,648 Get to Cardiff. Find a ship. 247 00:16:25,752 --> 00:16:27,687 Why are you staying? 248 00:16:27,787 --> 00:16:30,916 I'll tell ya. Because of mam and the kids. 249 00:16:31,024 --> 00:16:34,256 - They're my responsibility. - Not altogether, Em. 250 00:16:35,295 --> 00:16:38,322 Listen, son. Your father was my friend. 251 00:16:38,431 --> 00:16:41,458 He took me in, gave me food and shelter, found me work. 252 00:16:41,568 --> 00:16:45,300 What kind of a man would I be if I left now when things are bad? 253 00:16:45,405 --> 00:16:46,765 Let's don't talk about it anymore. 254 00:16:48,408 --> 00:16:51,845 Then, in 1939, there was another moment. 255 00:16:51,945 --> 00:16:55,905 Robeson first sang "Ballad for Americans" over CBS Radio. 256 00:16:58,118 --> 00:17:03,056 ♪ In '76 the sky was red ♪ 257 00:17:03,156 --> 00:17:07,423 ♪ Thunder rumbling overhead ♪ 258 00:17:07,527 --> 00:17:11,328 ♪ Bad King George couldn't sleep in his bed ♪ 259 00:17:11,431 --> 00:17:15,994 ♪ And on that stormy morn ♪ 260 00:17:16,102 --> 00:17:18,037 ♪ Old Uncle Sam was born ♪ 261 00:17:18,138 --> 00:17:20,630 Though the ballad, like Robeson himself... 262 00:17:20,740 --> 00:17:23,141 was later nearly wiped from our memories... 263 00:17:23,243 --> 00:17:26,975 in 1940, with America uniting for World War II... 264 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:30,983 "Ballad for Americans" had extraordinary appeal for every man. 265 00:17:31,084 --> 00:17:35,215 ♪ ...who went before ♪ 266 00:17:35,321 --> 00:17:39,918 ♪ For I have always believed it ♪ 267 00:17:40,026 --> 00:17:44,691 ♪ And I believe it now ♪ 268 00:17:44,797 --> 00:17:49,963 ♪ And you know who I am ♪ 269 00:17:50,069 --> 00:17:51,970 ♪ Who are you ♪ 270 00:17:52,071 --> 00:18:01,504 ♪ America♪♪ 271 00:18:05,485 --> 00:18:08,421 When President Roosevelt died in 1945... 272 00:18:08,521 --> 00:18:11,457 it was Paul Robeson who was chosen by his fellow actors... 273 00:18:11,558 --> 00:18:14,221 to read their tribute to the president. 274 00:18:14,327 --> 00:18:17,161 It was written by Carl Sandburg. 275 00:18:18,364 --> 00:18:22,028 However, with Roosevelt's death and the end of World War II... 276 00:18:22,135 --> 00:18:26,231 Robeson's political views separated him from most Americans. 277 00:18:26,339 --> 00:18:31,573 From this point on, his artistic career was almost entirely political. 278 00:18:31,678 --> 00:18:34,341 He only sang for causes in which he believed— 279 00:18:34,447 --> 00:18:36,882 as at the Paris Peace Conference. 280 00:18:36,983 --> 00:18:39,612 ♪ But, Joe, you're 10 years dead ♪ 281 00:18:39,719 --> 00:18:43,121 ♪ I never died, says he ♪ 282 00:18:43,223 --> 00:18:47,991 ♪ I never died, says he ♪♪ 283 00:18:48,094 --> 00:18:53,624 In 1949, he went on a triumphant European concert tour. 284 00:18:53,733 --> 00:18:58,330 Between concerts, Robeson spoke out plainly as to what he believed... 285 00:18:58,438 --> 00:19:01,203 and there was a severe reaction in the United States. 286 00:19:02,542 --> 00:19:07,276 ♪ Tra-la la-la, la-la, la-la bye-bye ♪ 287 00:19:07,380 --> 00:19:11,875 ♪ In your mother's arms be creepin' ♪ 288 00:19:11,985 --> 00:19:16,218 ♪ And soon you'll be a-sleepin' ♪ 289 00:19:16,322 --> 00:19:18,257 ♪ La, la ♪ 290 00:19:18,358 --> 00:19:21,260 ♪ La, la, la ♪ 291 00:19:21,361 --> 00:19:24,195 ♪ La, la, la ♪ 292 00:19:24,297 --> 00:19:29,099 ♪ Lullaby♪♪ 293 00:19:29,202 --> 00:19:33,230 At Warsaw, there were new changes in "Ol' Man River." 294 00:19:33,339 --> 00:19:37,401 The Mississippi was now the old man he didn't like to be. 295 00:19:37,510 --> 00:19:42,244 ♪ There's an old man called the Mississippi ♪ 296 00:19:42,348 --> 00:19:47,514 ♪ That's the old man I don't like to be ♪ 297 00:19:47,620 --> 00:19:52,456 ♪ What does he care if the world's got troubles ♪ 298 00:19:52,558 --> 00:19:54,925 ♪ What does he care ♪ 299 00:19:55,028 --> 00:20:00,660 ♪ If the land ain't free ♪ 300 00:20:00,767 --> 00:20:04,704 ♪ Ol' Man River ♪ 301 00:20:04,804 --> 00:20:08,263 ♪ That Ol' Man River ♪ 302 00:20:08,374 --> 00:20:11,367 ♪ He must know somethin' ♪ 303 00:20:11,477 --> 00:20:14,276 ♪ But don't say nothin' ♪ 304 00:20:14,380 --> 00:20:17,646 ♪ He just keeps rollin' ♪ 305 00:20:17,750 --> 00:20:23,656 ♪ He keeps on rollin' along ♪ 306 00:20:23,756 --> 00:20:27,750 And "You gets a little drunk and you lands in jail"... 307 00:20:27,860 --> 00:20:32,457 became "You show a little grit and you land in jail." 308 00:20:32,565 --> 00:20:37,333 ♪ Them that plants 'em is soon forgotten ♪ 309 00:20:37,437 --> 00:20:40,635 ♪ But Ol' Man River ♪ 310 00:20:40,740 --> 00:20:46,611 ♪ He just keeps rollin' along ♪ 311 00:20:48,314 --> 00:20:52,911 ♪ You and me We sweat and strain ♪ 312 00:20:53,019 --> 00:20:56,922 ♪ Body all achin' and racked with pain ♪ 313 00:20:57,023 --> 00:21:01,188 ♪ Tote that barge Lift that bale ♪ 314 00:21:01,294 --> 00:21:03,991 ♪ You show a little grit ♪ 315 00:21:04,097 --> 00:21:06,726 ♪ And you lands ♪ 316 00:21:06,833 --> 00:21:12,329 ♪ In jail ♪ 317 00:21:12,438 --> 00:21:16,899 ♪ But I keeps laughin' ♪ 318 00:21:17,009 --> 00:21:21,003 ♪ Instead of cryin' ♪ 319 00:21:21,114 --> 00:21:24,778 ♪ I must keep fightin' ♪ 320 00:21:24,884 --> 00:21:28,821 ♪ Until I'm dyin' ♪ 321 00:21:28,921 --> 00:21:32,949 ♪ And Ol' Man River ♪ 322 00:21:33,059 --> 00:21:38,259 ♪ He'll just keep rollin' ♪ 323 00:21:38,364 --> 00:21:46,465 ♪ Along ♪♪ 324 00:21:51,577 --> 00:21:55,378 He also sang the song "Qilai" in Chinese. 325 00:21:55,481 --> 00:21:58,713 It had originally been a marching song for the Chinese Red Army... 326 00:21:58,818 --> 00:22:02,880 and was now the first national anthem of the People's Republic of China... 327 00:22:02,989 --> 00:22:05,754 which at that moment was sweeping to power. 328 00:22:08,928 --> 00:22:10,954 ♪ Qilai ♪ 329 00:22:31,584 --> 00:22:34,144 ♪ Qilai, qilai ♪ 330 00:22:34,253 --> 00:22:36,586 ♪ Qilai ♪ 331 00:22:50,202 --> 00:22:53,077 The reaction to Robeson speaking out politically in Europe... 332 00:22:53,123 --> 00:22:55,405 was to erupt in Peekskill, New York. 333 00:22:55,976 --> 00:22:59,140 He had scheduled on his return a fourth-annual concert... 334 00:22:59,245 --> 00:23:01,578 for the Civil Rights Congress in Peekskill. 335 00:23:01,681 --> 00:23:05,311 However, those who wanted his outspoken voice stilled... 336 00:23:05,418 --> 00:23:07,478 threatened violence if Robeson sang. 337 00:23:07,587 --> 00:23:10,056 Protesters paraded. 338 00:23:20,066 --> 00:23:23,366 Despite the threats, on September 4, 1949... 339 00:23:23,470 --> 00:23:25,598 Robeson came to sing. 340 00:23:25,705 --> 00:23:29,472 Spectators jeered on the sidelines at the people who came to listen. 341 00:23:29,576 --> 00:23:31,704 Go on back to Russia, you niggers! 342 00:23:33,179 --> 00:23:35,205 Go back to Russia! 343 00:23:35,315 --> 00:23:39,719 There's a group of young boys yelling at the people stopped in their cars. 344 00:23:39,819 --> 00:23:42,084 There are hundreds and hundreds of people here... 345 00:23:42,188 --> 00:23:44,783 and if there's a serious outbreak it would be very bad. 346 00:23:49,095 --> 00:23:51,655 ♪ Fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho ♪ 347 00:23:51,765 --> 00:23:54,758 Hey! Go on back to Russia, you niggers! 348 00:23:55,969 --> 00:23:59,098 Because the concert was ringed with a threat of violence... 349 00:23:59,205 --> 00:24:03,142 hundreds of concertgoers volunteered and stood a circle of guard around the audience... 350 00:24:03,243 --> 00:24:06,179 and around Robeson himself. 351 00:24:06,279 --> 00:24:08,180 ♪ And the walls come a-tumblin' down♪♪ 352 00:24:09,282 --> 00:24:14,152 When the concert was over, the police did little or nothing to avoid a confrontation. 353 00:24:19,325 --> 00:24:22,727 The concertgoers were attacked as they left, and a riot developed. 354 00:24:22,829 --> 00:24:27,529 - 140 people were injured. - Skirmishes are breaking out all over here. 355 00:24:27,634 --> 00:24:31,093 The boys are fighting the cops. This is terrible. 356 00:24:31,204 --> 00:24:33,935 And they are beating up a Negro. 357 00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:36,100 They're clubbing him. 358 00:24:36,209 --> 00:24:39,111 After Peekskill, other cities became fearful. 359 00:24:39,212 --> 00:24:41,204 Concerts were canceled... 360 00:24:41,314 --> 00:24:44,546 Robeson records were withdrawn from stores. 361 00:24:44,651 --> 00:24:46,882 Robeson continued to speak out... 362 00:24:46,986 --> 00:24:50,889 and condemnation of the man and his beliefs continued. 363 00:24:50,990 --> 00:24:55,928 Unbelievably, even his selection years before as all-American end for Rutgers... 364 00:24:56,029 --> 00:24:58,225 was wiped from the record. 365 00:24:58,331 --> 00:25:01,927 The 1917-1918 College Football Hall of Fame... 366 00:25:02,035 --> 00:25:05,972 listed the only 10-man all-American team in history. 367 00:25:06,072 --> 00:25:09,531 The 11th man, Paul Robeson, was eliminated. 368 00:25:09,642 --> 00:25:10,802 Erased from the record books. 369 00:25:13,580 --> 00:25:17,881 Then the secretary of state canceled Robeson's passport, stating, quote... 370 00:25:17,984 --> 00:25:22,888 "This action is taken because the department considers that Paul Robeson's travel abroad... 371 00:25:22,989 --> 00:25:26,153 would be contrary to the best interests of the United States." 372 00:25:26,259 --> 00:25:28,387 - Unquote. - ♪ Let my people go ♪ 373 00:25:28,495 --> 00:25:30,987 Blacklisted in America and forbidden to travel... 374 00:25:31,097 --> 00:25:34,329 Robeson was to spend nearly all of the next decade of his life... 375 00:25:34,434 --> 00:25:38,064 fighting for his rights and everyone's rights in the courts. 376 00:25:38,171 --> 00:25:41,471 Most importantly, however, were the questions raised by the State Department... 377 00:25:41,574 --> 00:25:43,475 as to my political opinions. 378 00:25:43,576 --> 00:25:46,410 Here's a question of whether one who wants to sing and act... 379 00:25:46,513 --> 00:25:49,073 can have, as a citizen, political opinions. 380 00:25:49,182 --> 00:25:53,017 And, uh, in attacking me, they suggested that when I was abroad... 381 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:56,647 I spoke out against injustices to the Negro people in the United States. 382 00:25:56,756 --> 00:26:00,454 I certainly did. And the Supreme Court justice just ruled— 383 00:26:00,560 --> 00:26:03,086 uh, Judge Warren— in the segregation cases... 384 00:26:03,196 --> 00:26:05,859 that world opinion had a lot to do with that ruling... 385 00:26:05,965 --> 00:26:09,493 that our children— Negro children— can go to school like anybody else in the South. 386 00:26:09,602 --> 00:26:14,438 I'm very proud to have been a part of directing world opinion to precisely that condition. 387 00:26:14,541 --> 00:26:19,377 ♪ Sometimes I feel like a motherless child ♪ 388 00:26:19,479 --> 00:26:22,779 Because he was forbidden to go even to Canada... 389 00:26:22,882 --> 00:26:26,080 thousands of Canadian miners came to the border to hear Robeson sing. 390 00:26:26,186 --> 00:26:30,214 But despite these occasional shows of support... 391 00:26:30,323 --> 00:26:34,693 in reality, Robeson was effectively barred from the theater... 392 00:26:34,794 --> 00:26:38,196 the concert stage and the movie studios. 393 00:26:38,298 --> 00:26:41,496 Finally, in 1958, to its honor... 394 00:26:41,601 --> 00:26:43,900 the Supreme Court of the United States ruled... 395 00:26:44,003 --> 00:26:48,771 that the State Department had no right under law to deny a passport... 396 00:26:48,875 --> 00:26:52,209 because of a man's beliefs and associations. 397 00:26:52,312 --> 00:26:57,250 The fight had been won, but Robeson had lost 10 years out of his life... 398 00:26:57,350 --> 00:27:01,014 at the height of his career to help win the battle. 399 00:27:01,120 --> 00:27:05,182 It was a battle that destroyed his health as well. 400 00:27:05,291 --> 00:27:09,126 Once again, he was acclaimed and welcomed around the world. 401 00:27:09,229 --> 00:27:12,597 But the years had gone by. 402 00:27:12,699 --> 00:27:15,692 One concert to a group of construction workers in Australia... 403 00:27:15,802 --> 00:27:19,432 tells more of the story than can be written. 404 00:27:20,506 --> 00:27:24,204 ♪ He must know somethin' but don't say nothin' ♪ 405 00:27:24,310 --> 00:27:27,906 - ♪ He just keeps rollin' ♪ - The words of "Ol' Man River" had changed... 406 00:27:28,014 --> 00:27:33,715 from "We must keep fighting until we're dying"... 407 00:27:33,820 --> 00:27:39,623 to "I must keep fighting till I'm dying." 408 00:27:39,726 --> 00:27:41,627 ♪ Lift that bale ♪ 409 00:27:41,728 --> 00:27:43,788 ♪ Show a little grit ♪ 410 00:27:43,896 --> 00:27:49,062 ♪ And you lands in jail ♪ 411 00:27:49,168 --> 00:27:52,832 ♪ But I keeps laughin' ♪ 412 00:27:52,939 --> 00:27:55,499 ♪ Instead of cryin' ♪ 413 00:27:55,608 --> 00:27:58,601 ♪ I must keep fightin' ♪ 414 00:27:58,711 --> 00:28:02,113 ♪ Until I'm dyin' ♪ 415 00:28:02,215 --> 00:28:06,118 ♪ And Ol' Man River ♪ 416 00:28:06,219 --> 00:28:11,590 ♪ He'll just keep rollin' ♪ 417 00:28:11,691 --> 00:28:15,011 ♪ Along ♪♪ 418 00:28:15,120 --> 00:28:17,924 Paul Robeson's fabulous career and his life... 419 00:28:18,026 --> 00:28:23,065 ended on January 23, 1976. 420 00:28:23,803 --> 00:28:27,171 A word or two before you go. 421 00:28:27,274 --> 00:28:30,802 I have done the state some service, and they know it. 422 00:28:32,579 --> 00:28:34,980 No more of that. 423 00:28:36,683 --> 00:28:40,176 I pray you, in your letters... 424 00:28:40,287 --> 00:28:43,780 when you shall these unlucky deeds relate... 425 00:28:44,824 --> 00:28:47,919 speak of me as I am. 426 00:28:49,129 --> 00:28:51,621 Nothing extenuate... 427 00:28:51,731 --> 00:28:54,360 nor set down aught in malice. 428 00:28:54,467 --> 00:28:58,427 ♪ Ol' Man River ♪ 429 00:28:58,538 --> 00:29:03,340 ♪ He just keeps rollin' ♪ 430 00:29:03,443 --> 00:29:13,251 ♪ Along♪♪ 37491

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