African-American US Merchant Marine oiler Arnold Fesser, 1944.

This image of a merchant marine oiler accompanies a recording by Paul Robeson of the popular song “It Ain’t Necessarily So” by George and Ira Gershwin in the exhibit Paul Robeson and the NMU. The exhibit explores a selection of songs that Robeson sang at NMU conventions in the 1940s. It is one in a series of four exhibits honoring the 75th anniversary of the NMU.

Robeson sang, “Li’l David was small but oh my, He fought big Goliath who lay down and dieth … Yes Jonah he lied in de whale … I’m preachin’ dis sermon to show… It ain’t necessarily so.”

Photo Courtsey of US National Archives (#357-G-203-4690)