I think this is one of the most beautiful, passionate, and heart wrenching performances in musical theater history. It makes my soul ache every time I hear it.
Back in the 1990s, I was a rookie reporter for a mid-sized Midwestern city newspaper when William Warfield came to our city to perform. I was assigned to do the interview. I still remember just the two of us sitting on the stage talking about "Showboat" and his experiences making the movie and interacting with the actors, especially Howard Keel, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. He was in his 70's and suffering from a cold. But he pushed through the performance and received a standing ovation. I have always loved musicals, whether on Broadway or on the big screen and I just sat and listened as he reminisced about his career. He was especially proud of his starring role in the musical "The Green Pastures," which had an all-black cast, and which was very successful on Broadway and a 1959 television production of the show. I was particularly impressed with the dignified way he carried himself and the patience he showed to a young reporter who kept stumbling over his words. He can be summed up in one word: Gentleman. And on my living room wall is a picture of that gentleman with his arm around the shoulders of that young rookie reporter.
❤ thank you for your touching memory of this talented man. You have a gift for great writing & expressing your thoughts. Your story moved me to tears❤🤗
I cried when I read your wonderful story. How wonderful that you got to meet him! It's so wonderful when we admire someone greatly and then find out that the person is just as great in real life as they are on screen/stage. I've loved this song for over 60 years, and while I also love Paul Robeson's rendition, I think Mr. Warfield's cover is the very best of any others.
He's not singing the song. Like all modern versions of it this is not the song. It's a pointless sanitization of the song robbed of meaning. It was written as a song about the wrongs of segregation and racism but now it's just words with a good tune.
I was lucky enough to see the great William Warfield in the London revival production of Showboat around 40years ago .What a performer and a fantastic show!
When I hear this it makes me realize we are all slaves. We are slaves to ourselves and to the sorrow, the suffering, and the disappointments of this life. There is no doubt in my mind that when William Warfield sang this song he was singing it for everyone; blacks, whites, Jews, Christians regardless of race creed or color. This is the most profound expression of the human condition ever put on paper, and praise God for giving us William Warfield to sing it! May he rest in peace.
I'm going home from hospice tomorrow. You go home so your last days are comfortable. The last verse; I get's weary Yes I' am sick of trying I'm tired of living and I'm Feared of dying. Describes my situation to a T. Its been a great 68 years, so long.
This person was going home to die and only one person responded to this comment? @gess, I hope you are happy and free of pain and enjoying the fruits of a life well lived. RIP😇 Go in Peace Friend❤️
A poignant song yearning for understanding and acceptance of fate. No rendition of this song can compare to this performance,....and, I have listened to many. One of the greatest voices of all time.
Agreed, no one will probably ever top Warfield's interpretation. But let's not forget the man who wrote the lyrics : Oscar Hammerstein II. Oscar captured the essence of Life's Story in those lyrics.
The tears in Ava Gardner's eyes at the end is because she's a black woman, passing as white and is so moved by the plaintive words and singing of one of her own kind, she's been, up until that point, denying. Gorgeous. Moving. Excruciating.
I prefer it this way with the (largely) original words, as an expression of the hardness of life and respect for the great river, before Paul Robeson altered the words to make a political point.
Everything is great but what happened to the powerful ending to the song with a strong finish ? You cut it off that is the best part and without that it doesn,t do the trick !!!!!
I think this is one of the most beautiful, passionate, and heart wrenching performances in musical theater history. It makes my soul ache every time I hear it.
I feel the exact same way
I totally agree with you 💯!!! Gives me chills listening to this Jerome Kern song sung by William! 👏👏👏
Absolutely agree
Back in the 1990s, I was a rookie reporter for a mid-sized Midwestern city newspaper when William Warfield came to our city to perform. I was assigned to do the interview. I still remember just the two of us sitting on the stage talking about "Showboat" and his experiences making the movie and interacting with the actors, especially Howard Keel, with whom he formed a lasting friendship. He was in his 70's and suffering from a cold. But he pushed through the performance and received a standing ovation. I have always loved musicals, whether on Broadway or on the big screen and I just sat and listened as he reminisced about his career. He was especially proud of his starring role in the musical "The Green Pastures," which had an all-black cast, and which was very successful on Broadway and a 1959 television production of the show. I was particularly impressed with the dignified way he carried himself and the patience he showed to a young reporter who kept stumbling over his words. He can be summed up in one word: Gentleman. And on my living room wall is a picture of that gentleman with his arm around the shoulders of that young rookie reporter.
Marvelous! You were truly blessed.
❤ thank you for your touching memory of this talented man. You have a gift for great writing & expressing your thoughts. Your story moved me to tears❤🤗
I cried when I read your wonderful story. How wonderful that you got to meet him! It's so wonderful when we admire someone greatly and then find out that the person is just as great in real life as they are on screen/stage. I've loved this song for over 60 years, and while I also love Paul Robeson's rendition, I think Mr. Warfield's cover is the very best of any others.
Absolutely no one sings Old Man River like William Warfield. Perfection! Breaks the heart!
Paul Robeson did a fantastic job to
He's not singing the song. Like all modern versions of it this is not the song. It's a pointless sanitization of the song robbed of meaning. It was written as a song about the wrongs of segregation and racism but now it's just words with a good tune.
I was lucky enough to see the great William Warfield in the London revival production of Showboat around 40years ago .What a performer and a fantastic show!
Sorry, my mistake, It wasn't Mr Warfield that I saw! apologies!
When I hear this it makes me realize we are all slaves. We are slaves to ourselves and to the sorrow, the suffering, and the disappointments of this life. There is no doubt in my mind that when William Warfield sang this song he was singing it for everyone; blacks, whites, Jews, Christians regardless of race creed or color. This is the most profound expression of the human condition ever put on paper, and praise God for giving us William Warfield to sing it! May he rest in peace.
We are slaves to our sin, lost without hope. And then our Lord Jesus offers us freedom and hope.
Believe me, everytime I listen to this version, I feel his pain! And in these days quite a little bit more!
I feel the exact same way
Nobody does this song like William did. Incredible voice.
This is not just a show tune, but a slice of culture!
William rips this classic. It’s so powerful. Beautiful!
I get chills every time I hear his version of this song.
This is an amazing song, i like it so much
This man had a great voice !
What a marvelous song...it is like a devout prayer...
It sure is
Beautiful, watched many musicals with my parents and family...❤
Absolutely beautiful.
I cry every time I see this part of the movie.
I'm going home from hospice tomorrow. You go home so your last days are comfortable. The last verse;
I get's weary
Yes I' am sick of trying
I'm tired of living and I'm
Feared of dying.
Describes my situation to a T.
Its been a great 68 years, so long.
I hope it's lovely where you are now
This person was going home to die and only one person responded to this comment?
@gess,
I hope you are happy and free of pain and enjoying the fruits of a life well lived.
RIP😇
Go in Peace Friend❤️
God bless you , I hope that you found happiness in your new home.
The greatest musical of all time.
AWESOMENESS 🎶💖🎶
NONE LIKE HIM 🎶💖🎶
A poignant song yearning for understanding and acceptance of fate. No rendition of this song can compare to this performance,....and, I have listened to many. One of the greatest voices of all time.
Love this performance.
Absolutely class❤
What a masterful voice❤❤❤
Beautiful heartwarming song ever writtenu! 💙❤️💜
Beautiful voice and performance, golden throat!
I love you....i cry
Me too
A little lower and deeper than Robeson.Warfields was incomparable!
old man river can.be used as a person people in.many.cases trials in life can trying and pushing powerful peace
So true
Stunning. What a joy to listen to.
He was not given proper credit for the title song for “A Walk in the Sun”. No matter, his voice was astounding
It breaks my heart. And it makes me cry.
This is why the last shall be first,and likewise,the first shall be last,one day in Eternity....
Agreed, no one will probably ever top Warfield's interpretation. But let's not forget the man who wrote the lyrics : Oscar Hammerstein II. Oscar captured the essence of Life's Story in those lyrics.
What a voice beautiful
I'm so used to hearing Melvin Franklin of The Temptations sing lead on this. 👍🏾
Did not know he sang this song
The first time to listene ,and its beutiful.
bravissimo.
Bravo indeed
The tears in Ava Gardner's eyes at the end is because she's a black woman, passing as white and is so moved by the plaintive words and singing of one of her own kind, she's been, up until that point, denying. Gorgeous. Moving. Excruciating.
Tearjerker 💚
I prefer it this way with the (largely) original words, as an expression of the hardness of life and respect for the great river, before Paul Robeson altered the words to make a political point.
Exactly
❤❤❤
QUESTA E STORIA DELLA MUSICA E DEL CINEMA
William Warfield is every bit as good as Paul Robeson
The best ever. Period.
Everything is great but what happened to the powerful ending to the song with a strong finish ? You cut it off that is the best part and without that it doesn,t do the trick !!!!!
1:40 (for myself)
❤