William Warfield - Ol´ Man River Remastered (Showboat)

[tetvietnam]

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.

[annecraven]

Absolutely no one sings Old Man River like William Warfield. Perfection! Breaks the heart!

[AuntieMamie]

This is so exquisite. What a perfect performance. Thank you. And the whole film did Mr Kern proud. I am 75 and still hunger for those majestic musicals. Thank you for this slice of joy. Though I’m weeping.

[CitizenOfTheWorld]

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.

[stephenabrowning]

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!

[AndthenthereisCencorship-xcyi]

Nobody does this song like William did. Incredible voice.

[DavidCotovsky]

This is not just a show tune, but a slice of culture!

[adrianaclark]

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.

[TheWanderingWife]

I get chills every time I hear his version of this song.

[jacquelinepeoples]

William rips this classic. It’s so powerful. Beautiful!

[NightExPM]

Believe me, everytime I listen to this version, I feel his pain! And in these days quite a little bit more!

[deeasztalos]

I cry every time I see this part of the movie.

[torlandonsteines]

Beautiful, watched many musicals with my parents and family...❤

[annnoreen]

My dad was a Bass Baratone Singer, & sang this so often in Windhoek at MOTH functions that he got the name of Mr Old Man River .

[wandakuilboer]

It breaks my heart. And it makes me cry.

[tamikoestomo]

What a marvelous song...it is like a devout prayer...

[carterhurd]

This is an amazing song, i like it so much

[michaeldavidfigures]

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.

[bobbyk]

wonderful song and a very great singer!

[carollee]

Beautiful heartwarming song ever writtenu! 💙❤️💜