Paul Leroy Robeson

Prattlers, this voice on stage tenured its talents well Acme of the art, the rare thespian my father spoke Ubiquitously your destiny's duality, and swell Lauding you, my head, and naught this spell broke Lawyer, and luminary in African people's racial cause Emigre from home tossed on controversial seas, he Revered third of the race from Rutgers, had no pause Overperformer in sport, in scholarship and art, free Yielded fame for freedom liberating black hopes still Respected in politics, honored for stagecraft and will Oyster of our pearl, we thank Princeton for your birth Black and brilliant son, whose shadow shade far flung Europe and the Caribbean. How wide you stride the earth Sensational in song and show, censored and blacklisted Oppressed and despised too in strange minds time-twisted None but honorable death could harm you, O great native son.