Paul Robeson

This is probably Paul Robeson's rarest recording, made for Keynote in May 1941 and released in mid-June. "Spring Song" was a pacifist's plea for peace prior to the start of World War II, written by activist/composer Earl Robinson with lyrics by Harry Schacter. One week after it was released, the German army invaded the Soviet Union, violating their non-aggression pact. The Communist Party, which Robeson supported, instantly reverted to anti-fascism. Keynote Records owner Eric Bernay recalled all existing copies of the record and destroyed them. Only a scant few of these discs, which were sold in leftist shops in New York before the invasion, exist today. Robeson's passionate performance of "Spring Song" remains timely today, especially in light of the Russia/Ukraine war. This rare 78 is in E condition.