Deep River (song) Last updated April 02, 2025 Anonymous spiritual song of African-American origin
Sheet music for Henry T. Burleigh's influential 1917 arrangement of "Deep River" "Deep River " is an anonymous African-American spiritual , popularized by Henry Burleigh in his 1916 collection Jubilee Songs of the USA .
Overview 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. [ 1] By 1917, when Harry 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". [ 2]
Recordings Marian Anderson recorded a version in November 1923 for the Victor label (catalog No. 19227). [ 7] Paul Robeson recorded the song on May 10, 1927, for the Montgomery Ward label (catalog No. 6054). [ 8] Tommy Dorsey recorded a version on February 17, 1941, for the Victor label (catalog No. 36396B). [ 9] Deep River Boys featuring Harry Douglas with Pete Brown's Orchestra recorded the song in Oslo on August 23, 1956, and released it on the 78 rpm record by His Master's Voice AL 6039). Odetta recorded a version for her 1957 album At the Gate of Horn . Johnny Mathis 's third album, Good Night, Dear Lord , released 1958. The Roger Wagner Chorale recorded Roger Wagner 's arrangement, first released on the album The Negro Spiritual for Capitol Records (SP 8600) in 1964. Mahalia Jackson recorded a version for her 1964 album, Let's Pray Together on the Columbia Records label. St. Jacob's Chamber Choir and Anders Paulsson recorded a version on the choir's 1997 album, Spirituals (BIS Records AB) Bobby Womack recorded the song for the 2012 album The Bravest Man in the Universe Beverly Glenn-Copeland included a live recording of the song on his 2020 album Transmissions. [ 10] References ↑ Marsh, J. B. T. (2003). The Jubilee Singers and Their Songs . New York: Dover Publications Inc. p. 230. ISBN 978-0486431321 – via Internet Archive. ↑ Shirley, Wayne D. (1997). "The Comong of "Deep River" " . American Music . 15 (4): 493– 534. Retrieved 2024-08-07 – via JSTORE. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954 . Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 490 . ISBN 978-0-89820-083-6 . ↑ "Internet Movie Database" . imdb.com . Retrieved September 21, 2018 . ↑ "Internet Movie Database" . imdb.com . Retrieved September 21, 2018 . ↑ "Show Boat (1929) – Soundtracks" ,IMDb. ↑ "The Online Discographical Project" . 78discography.com . Retrieved September 21, 2018 . ↑ "The Online Discographical Project" . 78discography.com . Retrieved September 21, 2018 . ↑ "The Online Discographical Project" . 78discography.com . Retrieved November 21, 2018 . ↑ Moreland, Quinn (30 June 2020). "Beverly Glenn-Copeland Announces New Album Transmissions, Shares New Song" . Pitchfork . Retrieved 2020-09-25 . This page is based on this
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