Deep River (song)

Sheet music for Henry T. Burleigh's influential 1917 arrangement of "Deep River"

"Deep River" is an anonymous spiritual of African-American origin.

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 (page 230).^[1] 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".^[2]

It has been sung in several films, including the 1929 film version of Show Boat (when it was sung by Laura La Plante - dubbed by Eva Olivetti),^[3] Paul Robeson performed it accompanied by a large male chorus in the 1940 movie The Proud Valley,^[4] and it was sung by Chevy Chase in the 1983 blockbuster hit National Lampoon's Vacation.^[5]

The melody was also adapted into the song "Dear Old Southland", by Henry Creamer and Turner Layton in 1921 and it enjoyed popular success in 1922 with versions by Paul Whiteman and by Vernon Dalhart.^[6]

"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).

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]
• Adelaide Hall and Kenneth Cantril recorded a version of "Deep River" for their boxed set of Spirituals released in 1949 on London Records.^[9]
• 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.
• Johnny Mathis's third album, Good Night, Dear Lord, released 1958, USA.
• 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.^[10]
• Barbra Streisand 27th studio album, Higher Ground, recorded (USA) November 11, 1997, on the Columbia Records label.
• Sacred Music Services recorded a version for their album Get On Board in 2000.
• The Mormon Tabernacle Choir recorded a version for the album Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing in 2009.
• Bobby Womack recorded a version for his 2012 album The Bravest Man in the Universe.
• The Wings Over Jordan Choir - recorded in June 1946 for Queen Records (catalog No, 4140).^[11]
• 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.
• The band of the British South Africa Police recorded a version for the album Kum A Kye, released in Rhodesia.
• The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, Fifth Avenue, New York City recorded a version composed by Gerre Hancock for its album "American Voices."

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

External links

• Marian Anderson singing "Deep River", YouTube video.
• The Wings Over Jordan Choir Singing "Deep River" – YouTube Video
• The Wings Over Jordan Choir Singing "Deep River" – The Wings Over Jordan Fanpage video.