Paul Robeson Canoe Song

This video was posted elsewhere on YouTube with a different title.
I understand the African river scene was filmed on the River Thames at Shepperton.
I went with my mother to see the film in the 1940's. The song brings back good memories.

[IanHarwood-rx]

As a 9 year old watched and listened to Paul the strength and passion brought me to tears, still play his music regularly am 72 now and tears still come.

[LordOfLight]

My stepfather had a 78 of this which he inherited from his father. I was 8 years old when I first heard it and I was entranced by it. Still am.

[svensvenkill]

My 76 year old Dad sometimes sings, "Sandy is dead, ah ye oh koe!", and I earlier I finally asked him, "Where the hell did you get that from?" All he could remember was that the movie was called, 'Sanders of the River', so I searched here, found this, played it to him and it put a huge smile on his face. 

No doubt, given the time, etc, this is very problematic and out of sheer fascination I'm about to research the song and movie more. But at the very least this has been a lovely bonding moment between my Dad and me.  

Thanks for uploading this!

[robertshand]

Amazing example of how wonderful humanity when they sing and work together - the amazing message is sung and shown here by Paul and the rest of them💖💖💖

[Beruthiel]

I'm 79 and my Dad was a huge fan of Paul Robeson, so as a little girl in the fifties I was familiar with his wonderful voice. Sanders of the River is very dated in it's philosophy of course, but whenever I hear this song I think of my Dad, who passed away 35 years ago in 1989 aged 79. My Dad sang in a choir so he appreciated a great singer. I'm glad we can still hear this, as well as Robeson's other recorded music. What a voice. 🤗

[oldhippiejon]

I was 8 when I saw this film on TV, sitting on the sofa with my father, took me right back, thank you.

[rogerlawrence]

I too went with my parents in the late 1940s to see the film 'Sanders of the River';.the words (as much as I could distinguish them) and tune have stayed with me my life long (I am now 76). It is good to be able to re-live the memory all these years later thanks to You Tube.

[paullewisweston]

I chose this and Old Man River for my Dad's funeral, he always sang Paul Robeson songs when I was a kid and he used to say how much feeling they had, when I grew up I realized the pathos in those songs. Thanks Dad. X

[OMSBlackout]

I heard this 2 days ago for the first ever time at my Grandad's funeral service. thank you for posting it

[paulroberts]

My dad was a strong socialist and saw the song encompassing all those values he held of people working together to a given end, so I naturally grew up with a deep appreciation of this giant of a man, literally and figuratively, who was ground down by the US imperialist system.

[venessanewcastle]

My grand dad is in this Video ❣ i never got to meet him. Thank you for sharing it. My aunty got pictures of taking this Video back in the days

[john]

A giant of a man both physically and mentally

[sagenowty]

Paul Robeson, a great singer and actor!!

[paulinegallagher]

I love this, and have since I was three years old. Sanders of the River was one of those old classic films that came on most Sundays in Glasgow, and I can remember singing along with this as best I could! Paul Robeson was a magnificent singer, basso profundo, I think, and his singing gives one the right sort of chills. Wonderful.

[williamsanders]

My son and grandson have a canoe and as they paddle it down the Exe river, they usually sing this brilliant song.

[PatriciaFrancisWilson]

By Damn - Paul Robeson Gods Bless !!! your lovely voice still gives me goose-bumps I want my online buddies to see this vid

[tinalewis]

Went to a lot of trouble to get this song, now l can hear it anytime thanks to you.

[DeanJuvenal]

For life is no burden of Labour
When each bends his back with his neighbour

So, each for all
We stand or fall
And all for each
Until we reach
The journeys end

[dvepps]

Paul Robeson hated this movie because of it's white man's burden imperialism was added post-production and against his contract. Still a beautiful song

[rebeccaeversley]

Yes it was filmed at Shepperton. Many of the men in the Canoes were from Cardiff. I'm actually here because I have an origin story about the song but wondered if anyone can translate the words?