Paul Robeson - Gloomy Sunday

[marcusumbris]

This tune was never "written" correctly. One cannot "write" it.

[blondiesayswat]

of all the versions of this song out there....this one and the piano/violin (musical) are my favs

[madsketcher]

This is the real Gloomy Sunday. Not that light jazz crap with a happy ending tacked on.

[loopylukittyify]

oh gosh, these lyrics are...wow

[wakrusgumbo]

Wow! I've heard this version before, but the recording was so degraded you could barely understand the lyrics. Many thanks for tracking down one with such good audio!

[jdjosh1231]

The real Suicide song is Baby by justin bieber

[gr3en3yes]

this song is never song in its original english translation no one ever sings it with the right words

he has a beautiful voice

[temetkezes]

Paul Robeson kommunista volt. Nem önkéntesen. Mint Dean Reed. Azért szeretjük őket.

[twlthteg]

Ah, The Hungarian Suicide Song.

[cesar48404]

wird i lost my laptop charger in a sunday and i felt really sad so it is gloomy sunday

[memphisgrownman]

WOW

[kingstowngalway]

Although Paul Robeson's enthusiastic support for Joseph Stalin shall always remain a black mark against him, no lover of music will ever dispute his artistic gifts.

[gbrioche]

@kingstowngalway Many left wing people in the mid 20th century were naive about the grim realities of Soviet Russia. However, I greatly respect any man who can grow up in a country as conservative at the USA and come out a socialist; Socialism is in theory a beautiful and humane thing, Communism, however, has been shown to breed tyranny and oppression of the many by the few - exactly what socialism attempts to prevent. Robeson was a man for love and justice, and his persecution shames America.

[cart27553]

4 PEOPLE ARE GLOOMY IDIOTS BECUZ AFTER DISLIKING THEY DIED...

[drjackal779]

a footballer who played for all-American team and a singer with a manly killer voice.

If he lived in recent days he would have been the undisputed sex icon

[kingratboy2]

4 people commited suicide after disliking this video

[Brill39e]

The best version!

[triggerfish999]

Wow I used to listen to this when I was 7or 8 yrs old (that's like 43 yrs ago). What a voice

[snakemansnakes1]

This is the version that does it for me. Amazing voice and amazing man. Thank you for this post. I have this on an old LP of Paul Robeson's But no way of playing it just now.

[MrPatboc]

incroyable voix ! one of my favourite versions, thanx

[vuvuska]

the original hungarian version is the best...translation is not enough accurate!!!

[busessuck1]

@vuvuska " translation is not enough accurate!!! "

And of course... you would know lol

[Animettv]

i hate this, creeps the shit out of me...

[FutileExistence]

I heard a christian death cover of this song before this one.

[MelanieMenardArts]

Wonderful! Discovered Mr Robeson yesterday and am now a fan! I always wondered where Diamanda Galas had found her version of Gloomy Sunday, now I've got the answer!

[SMIDJID204]

they should put this song in the game fallout.,.,

[metyuewb]

Best and probably only good sung version of the song. Yeah, including Billie Holiday.

[metyuewb]

why they had to kill the instrumental intro though is a complete mystery. They almost had a good version!

[SJamesGray]

Billie Holiday's is very Americanized but all good music is open to musical interpretation and it's incredible for that.

[Uruguruh]

GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[EbunnyEthereal]

dang, i thought "old man river" was beautiful... this is my new favorite paul robeson song.

[LeanderEve]

this lyrics were the most beautiful and touching of all Gloomy Sunday lyrics in my opinion...

[Dravenswraith]

breaking up can bring out artistry, this song was inspired by one, when a man loves a woman etc.. the music poured out of this man

[VerdandiAudane]

I don't really get the meaning of the song and why the men suicided with such a slow and soft song .. Can someone explain ? I would really appreciate it if you would . Thank you in advance .

[Shikihyrogashi]

@VerdandiAudane Because the 2nd verse of the song is about a funeral. The people that can relate to the song. Will feel such a very unearthed power. It will urge them to end their misery.

[glpman39]

@VerdandiAudane well me either but people killed them selves becasue it was composed in the 30's you know the deep depression, and the people who were depressed well it drew the last straw for them, because even me it makes me very sad, and they were all ready sad. like really sad. close to the ending point

[TR0LLREIGN]

Absolutely the best English version. Billie Holiday's version does not give mi the "szomorú vasárnap"-feeling at all.

[blondiesayswat]

wow i love this of all the differnt versions/styles of this song. would you happen to have the lyrics to this song in particular?

[xXhanniballecterJXx]

Fuck man... Now I know why men use to kill themselves to this song. How can a voice be so powerful?!

[TheJapansanyi]

the original of this song is made by a hungarian!

[victoriaonevictoria]

5*****...so beautiful!

[Entlaufen]

Billie Holiday doesn't sing it well. And this song is far from being sad.

[irishicansk8r]

LOOK UP ARTIE SHAR GLOOMY SUNDAY BEAUTIFUL VERSION TOOOO!

[sukibu]

Well, of course Sundays are gloomy; they are followed by Mondays!

Still, Robeson had one awesome voice.

[CainTheMain]

A dangerous song they say. A song that could kill yet so beautiful from a man like Paul Robeson. Suicide of the evil in one's self.

[triptoheaveandho]

this is the best version i have heard so far -i have become fascinated with it

[SseBb]

beautifull! it's indeed the closest to the original!!

beautifull, beautifull, beautifull!!

[greekpanther1]

amazing

[stevevandien]

There are some who continue to insist, all evidence aside, that Robeson was a baritone. Some get a little closer to the truth by suggesting that Robeson was a BASS-baritone. Good grief. The man was a BASS. His records make that plain enough. Where within them does he assay a baritone's tessitura? OR that of a bass-baritone? There's NOTHING wrong with being a bass, for heaven's sake -- indeed, I'd argue that PR had one of the great bass voices on record --

[Kajomi]

This is so very beautiful... I'm surprised I never stumbled upon this version. I'm having trouble trying to listen to something different. It's just that gorgeous.

[vegasbaby55]

It is one of the best.

[stevevandien]

For me, this is the best English translation; Robeson sings richly and beautifully --

[Crimsonlotus93]

Thank you. That is exactly what i have been saying for a long time. He just adds a certain mood to the song that not a lot of other people can match.

[stevevandien]

@stevevandien I should add that if this was really a suicide-inspiring song, the bodies would have long since been piling up besides the records and CD players. Not to mention the many singers and musicians who have managed to perform "Gloomy Sunday," including Mel Torme, Billie Holiday, Paul Whiteman, Josh White, Marianne Faithful, Artie Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, Lou Rawls, Carmen McRae, Sarah McLachlan, Ray Charles, etc. without killing themselves --

[meltsintowonder]

Stunning.

[RainOnNeptune]

i like the lyrics of this version much better than the Bilie Holiday one.

[GrammaConcept]

Wonderful and moving..

[pezdelviento]

Could you please post the lyrics of this version?

I really like this interpretation. It sounds even more gloomy than Diamanda Galás version.

[sartanko]

Google "Gloomy Sunday Lyrics"

[Kajomi]

lyricsplayground . com / alpha / songs/g /gloomysunday . shtml

You'll need to scroll down. Is the one that starts with "Sadly one Sunday I waited and waited".

[pezdelviento]

@Kajomi Thanks a lot. Someone already gave them to me. Very kind of you.

[TheEMOHase]

beautiful .... realy beautiful i just cry ... :'(

[MrNemy86]

Wow! I did'nt know Paul could sing this good. He was an author,actor,athlete,activist and singer. It's sad most people don't know about him.

[bilstew]

Agree,sad indeed but convenient for those who do not want to publicise his work in the struggle for the rights of the poor and lowly.

[stesan2006]

@MrNemy86 check out his movies.

[wvnr22]

jakolismo

[zelefant]

Seress Rezső / Szomorú vasárnap

Wonderful music+ excellent singer!

[herczy]

Wow, this is a powerfull voice!

[BloodyMina666]

I've never heard this version before! Thank you very much for upload.

I love this song

[pelateo]

przepiękny głos i piękny mężczyzna!

[stevevandien]

I think this English translation is much better than the one more often used, as in Billie Holiday's and Sarah McLachlan's version, for example. Robeson sings it powerfully --

[UnderlordxMusic]

Really Good Song..

[kaohoua14]

did you know that the orignal song made people suicidal

[N3B0R3D]

Think logically, a song can't force you to kill yourself. Those who killed themselves applied their situations to that song.

[universalmystic]

did you know that's not true

[etanielyehuda]

Unfortunately, I was not living in this era. It is QUITE REFRESHING to hear a popular male singer sounds like a MAN! If only the music industry would bring forth more 2nd Tenor/Baritone/Bass singers. The industry is capable in convincing the public of anything....ie. Britney Spears.

[InvisibleCloudKing]

Amen to that!

[EmilieMurmurs]

This version is downright amazing...and this man...this man, he is absolutely astonishing...Paul Robeson's voice blows me away. It's so deep, potent, and haunting.

[daria169]

this is so far the best english version of this song. all the other versions do not compare.

[xOAlyzsagalOx]

the original version kind of sounds scarier

[loseit1011]

im to scared out of my mind to lisen to the origalnol song.

[SpankRamen2]

The depth of his rich voice spawns a sentiment of DOOM.

Am I the only one who feels as though they're sinking as they listen to this? It's like I felt my stomach drop.

[escobarsfriend]

i grieve by myself hearing almost every number ive heard he made was covers.

[ListenerOfShadows]

The voice is awesome, but this happy "harp sound"* is going on my nerves... and it's ruining the song.

*I'm sorry, I'm not an expert and don't really know how to name that.

[kove00]

the happy harp sound make it even more weird and dark, in my opinion...

[greekpanther1]

@ListenerOfShadows harp sound? its a piano.

[greekpanther1]

@ListenerOfShadows or sounded like it when i posted the comment lol

[ListenerOfShadows]

@greekpanther1 I repeat: I don't really know how to name that... not that I really care, anyway. Cheers.

[Czeppelin]

It is the best English version of the song.

[ImanitheDJ]

He's The Gansta Version of Vincent Price

[ImanitheDJ]

THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!

[Achbar]

I love Robeson's voice. This is wonderful

[BrainTornado4]

original version is hungarian- called "szomorú vasárnap"

[lanarv]

Thanks a lot for this version in English with PAUL ROBESON ! Indeed , it sounds very emotionally, and TRAGICALLY I would say... Thanks for sharing !

[magicurty]

PAUL ROBESOOOON!!!

The Best EVER!

[sfirodrepano]

Agree. He was a great singer and a dear comrade. Long live socialism!

[aldrickbarber35]

I heard of this song..Isn't this also known as "The Hungarian Suicide Song"? And this was by Rezso Seress....

[xpuddingx11]

no thats just a name people labeled it as because of the 100 sum ppl that maybe/maybe not killed themselves because of the song. so they nicknamed it that the real name is gloomy sunday. and yeah its by Rezso Seress..and the rest u find by other singers are covers. :]

[nixi16]

It is also due to the mass suicide cult in Budapest that was in place when writing of this song. Many people relate this song to suicide based on this song when also social form was unpleaseant due to the fact that it was still a communist country under brutal rule

Suicides per 100,000 people per year[1] Country ↓Males ↓ Females ↓ Total pop. Year ↓ Lithuania 68.1 12.8 38.6 2005 Belarus 63.3 10.3 35.1 2003 Russia  58.1 9.8 32.2 2005 Hungary 42.3 11.2 26.0 2005

[swingaroo1]

Sure those were hard times in Hungary, but don't just blame it all on communist regime. That's ridiculous.

[Aviva2525]

swingaroo this song has nothing to do with the commnists. It was written in 1933 when Hitler came to power and the Great Depression was at it's worst point. So you are right, we can not blame all shame on the communists.

[Brill39e]

@nixi16 When this Song was Written in the 1930's Hungary was ruled by Admiral Horthy, a Fascist Dictator who later sided with Hitler

[jejebagi]

@Brill39e

Do not forget!!!!

The winners write the history!!

Horty was not so negative as you think.

[lacigajdos]

Horthy was rear-admiral , and he was not fascist. He was a conservative , oldfashioned nationalist. He became ally with that two because he wanted the revison of Treaty of Trianon .

[snipergirl21]

He had such a lovely voice....so perfect for the emotion of the song.

[DorianArcher]

Diamanda Galas also uses this translation. They're the only ones.

[reynaldbell]

Ah, what a happy little song, so uplifting. I could listen to it all day, but I cant right now, I am going to lunch, and I think I will eat my Pistol(lol).

[yorkshireguese]

great voice, great song ,not so great version. in english, lyrically i prefer the billie holiday version. this, however, is still far superior to other versions such as heather nova, and sarah brightman

[ninkampoop0321]

I fucking love that commie

[stef1061]

haha word me too

[BastardProductions]

I just killed myself

[ColonelCognitional]

I love this version.

The Billie Holiday version is horrible! It sounds like pop!

[AceBanyon]

wonderful baritone

[TheForgottenPanzer]

he is a bass not a baritone -_-

[brcmano]

Incredibly collection of such marvellous song, just can stop listening, especially this renditions!

Do you have the original sheet music for Gloomy Sunday?

[UnluckyGambler]

lyrics aint... as good as the original... cant hear very well due to his beautiful bass voice, anyone mind posting lyrics? im still curious, it sounds pretty good.

[danecobain]

Sadly one Sunday I waited and waited

With flowers in my arms for the dream I'd created

I waited 'til dreams, like my heart, were all broken

The flowers were all dead and the words were unspoken

The grief that I knew was beyond all consoling

The beat of my heart was a bell that was tolling

Saddest of Sundays

[danecobain]

Then came a Sunday when you came to find me

They bore me to church and I left you behind me

My eyes could not see one I wanted to love me

The earth and the flowers are forever above me

The bell tolled for me and the wind whispered, "Never!"

But you I have loved and I bless you forever

Last of all Sundays

[sillywabbit1349]

what a man, a hero to me,

you would not have called him a nigger to his face papaya-whatever...

[alessaapathy]

wrong, this isnt anywhere near the closest translation from the origianl hungarian version.. this is completely different. this is just the desomond carter lyrics

[uncannyvalley]

Sorry, were you telling the hungarian they're wrong? XD

[alessaapathy]

no?.. i said this isnt the real version, nor translation..of gloomy sunday..

[danecobain]

it's a closer translation than the one that every other artist seems to use

[UnluckyGambler]

really... its the first and only song from which i heard this version of lyrcs. everywhere else its the other one.

[paulthaddeus1974]

What a gift his voice is/was.

[pennydreadful666]

Though I love Billie Holiday's version, I think Paul's wonderfully rich, deep voice suits this so well.

And not to further the whole 'suicide song' thing, but thinking about that did remind me of his own suicide attempt in Moscow :(

A great, great man and a definite hero of mine.

[moloch49]

That is one of the eeriest renditions of "Gloomy Sunday" I have ever heard. The words are much different, but Paul Robeson's

rich bass voice conveys the funereal quality - the hopelessness of the song.

Frankly, this translation suggests suicide more so than the usual one. A disturbing song, but very compelling, and Paul Robeson's is the BEST interpretation yet of this chilling melody! It is worth ten stars, easily!

[kint90]

I dont see how its depressing

[nugfingr]

I read his father was about 54 when he was born, and his father was a former slave who got free by going to Philadelphia, and joined the Union Army before Paul was born. I also read his father was of the Igbo people in Africa whom believe that they are one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. The blacks have worked as hard as the whites, if not harder, for their freedoms.

[3fishingcats]

Although this song is nicknamed as the "Hungarian suicide song", the composer, Rezso Seress's original Hungarian version is - I think - not as grave as Robeson's - powerful and beautiful- version. The original is rather an expression of the hopelessnes and loneliness of people - actually men - in Central European countries between the two world wars.

[baetterdoe]

Paul Robeson is one of the best male vocalists ever, not many living or dead can match him.

[StopNAZIruSSia]

The best Gloomy Sunday version!

[hiyadroogs]

A haunting sentiment to unrequited love. Sung beautifully, as always, by not only a great singer, but a great human being. Few of us have the moral courage to stand up against the majority to fight injustice, & for what we believe. Paul Robeson was such a man. Praise his name. We won't see or hear his like again.

[joannamichelle72]

wonderful

[EmpathyIsTheDevil]

beautifull version. a great voice + nearest english version.....just great, 5/5!!!

[golaxo]

He was the man to sing this song.

[GeaDancu]

Bravo maestro!

[nzvykq]

To tell you the truth this translate is the closest one to the original as I am hungarian so I could compare it.

It is so nice....

[HalfLord]

Yeah I litened to this song and woke up dead o.o# Damn just wanted to add that joke in there but, I love the song just like being the joker ya' know? :P

[HalfLord]

Yeah I litened to this song and woke up dead o.o# Damn just wanted to add that joke in there but, I love the song just like being the joker ya' know? :P

[goblingirl13]

what a meloncholy song... Emilie Autumn sings this song as well. Check her out

[Kinkichu0x]

I love Paul's voice so much!

[Tenderness6]

I still love Paul after all these years! He was such a lovely human being!

[ColonelCognitional]

Bravissimo! I love it!

[Meddas]

omg now that ive listened to this i must jump from a window..... yehh right! like id do that for a piece of music life is to good to die

[annainess]

anyone know where i can find it in english but with the real english transliteration

[pacowc3]

haha this is not depressing at all... modern day emo is much much much more depressing

[GypsyFairy69]

Beautiful, austrere, basso profundo. One of the most haunting renditions ever.

[planetery]

JESUS. That's spooky as fuck. I've heard 3 or 4 dozen versions of this song, & this may well be the best. Go figure- best version of the most depressing song ever written was sung by a black man in America in the early 20th century...

[tilon2000]

i was in a good mood till i heard this!

[blablawhatev1]

so beautiful

[danecobain]

Oh i don't doubt it but i find it hard to take people seriously that can't/don't type properly :)

[danecobain]

anybody got an mp3 of this?

[TheMendaly]

Well I'm ashamed but you can buy it on Itunes AS i did.. beautiful version indeed

[danecobain]

hXc

[danecobain]

Do remind me what's wrong with injecting a bit of emotion into a composition that has been written with the sole purpose of expressing and sharing the writers feelings at that particular point in time? Or are you posting a comment in order to remind people that the song is based on an emotion? Either way, go home :)

[changiz110]

very good the best

[genia106]

Such a powerful voice. One of the best I have heard. I never knew there were so many different artists who recorded this song. Robeson's version is so dramatic and plaintive. Thank you.