Ol' Man River
Paul Whiteman Orchestra, Bix Beiderbecke
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Ol' man river That ol' man river He don't say nothing But he must know something Cause he just keeps rolling He keeps rolling along Rollin' along He don't plant tators He don't plant cotton Them that plants 'em is soon forgotten But ol' man river He keeps rolling along You and me We sweat and strain Body all aching And wracked with pain Tote that barge Lift that bale Get a little drunk And you land in jail I gets weary Sick of trying I'm tired of living Feared of dying But ol' man river He's rolling along
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Written by: Jerome Kern, Oscar Ii Hammerstein
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Artist BackgroundBix Beiderbecke, whose full name is Leon Bix Beiderbecke, was an American jazz cornetist, jazz pianist, and composer during the 1920s.
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Song Origin"Ol' Man River" was originally composed by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1927 musical "Show Boat". Bix Beiderbecke performed his version of the song later.
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Song LyricsThe lyrics of 'Ol' Man River' detail the hardships and struggles of African Americans at the time, with symbolic reference to the Mississippi River which keeps rolling along, indifferent to these struggles.
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Bix's InterpretationBeiderbecke was known for his distinctive "cool" jazz style, which would have brought a unique interpretation to "Ol' Man River," compared to the song's original operatic context.
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RecordingBix never officially recorded "Ol' Man River". He only performed it live, and there are no known surviving recordings of his version.
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Style and TechniqueBeiderbecke was known for a softer, more relaxed, lyrical approach to jazz which contrasted with the brasher, more energetic performances typical at the time. This could have brought a unique feel to his rendition of "Ol' Man River".
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Tragically Short CareerBix Beiderbecke's career spanned just about seven years. He died in 1931 at age 28, due to pneumonia and his lifelong problem with alcohol.
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Posthumous RecognitionDespite his early death, Bix Beiderbecke's influence on jazz continues to be recognized. In 1977, he was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
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Song InfluenceThe song "Ol' Man River" has been covered by numerous other artists, including Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Each performer brings their own unique interpretation to the song.
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LegacyBix Beiderbecke's interpretations, even of widely covered songs like 'Ol' Man River', were noteworthy for their unique, melodic tone - a contribution to the jazz genre which has earned him an enduring legacy.
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Citation
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"Ol' Man River Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/3272508/Bix+Beiderbecke/Ol%27+Man+River>.
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