Paul Robeson (1898-1976)

Read Alex Wharton's poem, inspired by the life and achievements of Paul Robeson.

Diolch Mr Robeson

For borrowing your bass notes

to those valley men that marched

half-empty, half-hopeful that

someone would hear them sing.

You swept in, one river into

another. Your voice, deep tone,

Deep as coal – is still remembered in

the miner’s old homes. The slim-streets,

smoke and slate. The mountains,

dark and bold. Cold.

Thunder knows of you, rumbles of you.

Diolch Mr Robeson.  

You knew of pain, son of escaped slave.

Son of God and the good words. Man of

Law, right and wrong. Man of sport and

stage. Man of song. Sing-on,

songs of freedom. Stir us in

in the chilling thrill of low sound.

Underground. Carry us into light.

A thousand heavy souls vibrating

on your throat, into sky.

We are together, we are alive.

And this life is brighter

for everything you gave it.

This life is brighter for

everything you gave it.

(for Paul Robeson)