Written by Jerome Kern, this is the most famous tune of the 1927 musical, “Show Boat”. Powerfully sung by Paul Robeson in his deep bass, this is one of my all-time favourites.The moving lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein contrast the struggles and hardships of African Americans with the endless, uncaring flow of the Mississippi River. It’s not possible to go as high as Robeson does and the conclusion of the song without moving to the middle string.