The song of the day for Wednesday, March 13, 2024, is “De Glory Road.”

About This Song

“De Glory Road” began as a poem written by a white, socialist, native Alabaman lawyer and writer named Clement Wood, who published the poem in 1928. Wood is also the author of the Clement Wood Rhyming Dictionary, the 1939 edition of which was Stephen Sondheim’s preferred rhyming dictionary.

Jacques Wolfe, was a Jewish Romanian-born composer who discovered African-American music while serving in the Army during World War I. In 1928, Wolfe wrote the music for Wood’s “Three Negro Poems” which included “De Glory Road” Wolfe later worked with Langston Hughes and composed for a 1938 musical, John Henry, which starred Paul Robeson.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “De Glory Road” on March 13, 1962, (62 years ago today) for his album On The Glory Road, featuring an arrangement by Ralph Sharon. The album release was canceled at the very last minute, but was included in Bennett’s 2011 Complete Collection box set.

“De Glory Road,” as well as On The Glory Road, is available on Apple Music.