Quote Originally Posted by frenchmon
Man...I think by the time she sang that one it was then understood and well received. I read that the first time she sang it was in a night club before an all white audience in about 1938 or 39. The only blacks where those in the band. The audience was said to be completely silent after she got done singing it and she had a few tears in her eyes. Many in the audience had no idea what the song was about. Not a drop of sound in the entire night club after she got done singing it. She then started walking off the stage when all of a sudden some one in the back of the club started clapping. then another started clapping And then the entire audience stood up and clapped as they where over taken by emotion.


Yes that is the story I had read and I believe it to be true. I just wanted to add the link for those who have never heard the song.