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Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson Quotes

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Famous Paul Robeson Quotes

“When I sang my American folk melodies in Budapest, Prague, Tiflis, Moscow, Oslo, or the Hebrides or on the Spanish front, the people understood and wept or rejoiced with the spirit of the songs. I found that where forces have been the same, whether people weave, build, pick cotton, or dig in the mine, they understand each other in the common language of work, suffering, and protest.”

PeopleHas BeensSpiritSufferingSongFoundLanguageForceCommonFrontsMinesSingingPicksUnderstoodFolksProtestMelodyCottonMoscowCommon LanguagePragueBudapestOslo
Book:Paul Robeson speaks: writings, speeches, interviews, 1918-1974
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“Yes, I heard my people singing!-in the glow of parlor coal-stove and on summer porches sweet with lilac air, from choir loft and Sunday morning pews-and my soul was filled with their harmonies. Then, too, I heard these songs in the very sermons of my father, for in the Negro's speech there is much of the phrasing and rhythms of folk-song. The great, soaring gospels we love are merely sermons that are sung; and as we thrill to such gifted gospel singers as Mahalia Jackson, we hear the rhythmic eloquence of our preachers, so many of whom, like my father, are masters of poetic speech.”

PeopleSoulSongFatherMorningHeardAirSweetMastersSpeechSummerSingingHarmonyFilledFolksSingersRhythmMy SoulSundayPoeticPreacherGiftedThrillCoalSoarSermonsEloquenceChoirPorchStovesSunday MorningParlorLilacFolk Songs
Book:Here I Stand
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