Songs of a Father

I Never Really Knew

Emanuel Mansfield, touted as the Second Roland Hayes, was one of the most extraordinary tenors of his time. Despite his many life challenges, Emanuel managed to hold on to his life dreams and accomplished much more than he ever dreamed. The oldest of 18 children, the grandson of slaves, a high school dropout, and a poor African American raised in a rural environment, he soared to unbelievable heights as a renowned concert tenor. His daughter, Pauline Mansfield, who journeyed to find the story of her father and his family roots, poignantly tells this dreamers story.