Deep River (song)
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"Deep River" is an anonymous spiritual of African American origin.
The song was first mentioned in print in 1876, when it was published in the first edition of “The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs”, by J.B.T. Marsh. By 1917, when Henry T. Burleigh completed the last of his several influential arrangements, the song had become very popular in recitals. It has been called "perhaps the best known and best-loved spiritual".[1]
It has been sung in several films, including the 1929 film version of Show Boat, and by Chevy Chase in the 1983 blockbuster hit National Lampoon's Vacation.[2] The melody was also adapted into the popular song "Dear Old Southland", in 1921.
Actor and singer Paul Robeson performed "Deep River" accompanied by a large male chorus in the 1940 movie The Proud Valley.
"Deep River" is one of the five spirituals included in the oratorio A Child of Our Time, first performed in 1944, by the classical composer Michael Tippett (1905–98).
At least one commentator has suggested that the song is intended to offer advice to slaves who want to run away, i.e., you should escape via a "river" to your "home…over Jordan" because the water will wash away your scent.
Contents
Recordings
- Marian Anderson recorded a version in 1938, released on Red Seal, at the time a subsidiary of RCA Victor.
- Adelaide Hall and Kenneth Cantril recorded a version of "Deep River" for their boxed set of Spirituals released in 1949 on London Records.[3]
- Deep River Boys Featuring Harry Douglas with Pete Brown's Orchestra (recorded in Oslo on August 23, 1956, and released on the 78 rpm record HMV AL 6039).
- Odetta recorded a version for her 1957 album At the Gate of Horn.
- The Roger Wagner Chorale recorded Roger Wagner's arrangement, first released on the album The Negro Spiritual for Capitol Records (SP 8600) in 1964.
- Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's rendition was captured on the album Lorraine Hunt Lieberson at Ravinia. The song was a frequent encore in recital concerts by the operatic mezzo-soprano.
- Bobby Womack recorded a version for his 2012 album The Bravest Man in the Universe.
- Barbra Streisand 27th studio album, Higher Ground, recorded (USA) November 11, 1997, on Columbia Label.
- Johnny Mathis third album, " Good Night, Dear Lord ", released 1958 USA.
- The band of the BSAP recorded a version for the album Kum A Kye, released in Rhodesia.
Lyrics
Deep River,
My home is over Jordan.
Deep River, Lord.
I want to cross over into campground.
Deep River.
my home is over Jordan.
Deep River, Lord,
I want to cross over into campground.
Oh, don't you want to go,
To the Gospel feast;
That Promised Land,
Where all is peace?
Oh, deep River, Lord,
I want to cross over into campground.
References
- ↑ The Coming of "Deep River" by Wayne D. Shirley. American Music, Vol. 15, No. 4 (Winter, 1997), pp. 493-534 Published by the University of Illinois Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3052384
- ↑ Show Boat (1929) - Soundtracks
- ↑ Billboard review of Spirituals by Adelaide Hall and Kenneth Cantril, Billboard, 22 January 1949:(retrieved 28 December 2014):https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_B8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=Adelaide+Hall+and+Kenneth+Cantril.+swing+low+sweet+chariot&source=bl&ots=erxYElsFlp&sig=_WekpjReXfhi8VysjbLVIHnMhJc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vvafVJadCpbjaqGogvAP&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Adelaide%20Hall%20and%20Kenneth%20Cantril.%20swing%20low%20sweet%20chariot&f=false
External links
- YouTube video of Marian Anderson singing "Deep River"
