On Paul Robeson’s birthday, here’s Princeton’s own, to sing Beethoven’s celebration of universal brotherhood, his setting of Schiller’s “Ode to Joy.”

At the time of this recording, his U.S. passport had been revoked.

https://www.peoplescollection.wales/items/24367

More about Robeson’s ties to Wales and the plight of the miners:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jul/02/how-paul-robeson-found-political-voice-in-welsh-valleys

Robeson in “The Proud Valley” (1940)

The story behind “Freedom Train,” with audio:

https://njdigitalhighway.org/lesson/paul_robeson/freedom_train

Paul Robeson’s dream of universal brotherhood was a lifelong commitment to the idea that all human beings, regardless of race, nationality, or economic standing, are interconnected and deserving of dignity, equality, and peace – concepts still unfortunately radical in 2026.

The man certainly walked the walk. Happy birthday, Paul Robeson.