"Love" Song

Description

Soprano, Alto, Piano, Violin — When I came across this poem by Dorothy Parker (1893–1967), I thought it was a typical poem about love, but the last lines of each stanza caught my attention, and I couldn’t help but laugh. When I did some research on Ms. Parker, I became fascinated by her interesting life and style. Here are some of the highlights:Born in New Jersey, but also lived in Manhattan and Hollywood.Parents died when she was young, and her uncle died on the Titanic.Was married three times (twice to the same man).Occupations: poet, writer, editor, critic, screenwriter, satiristEmployers: The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Vogue, Life (just to name a few)Descriptors: witty, sarcastic, cynical, sardonic, erratic, salty, cruel but truthfulBequeathed her literary estate to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Upon his assassination, the estate was turned over to the NAACP.Despite her great success, Parker battled with depression and self-doubt. She once said, “Four be the things I'd have been better without: love, curiosity, freckles and doubt.” Her views on love were sometimes skeptical, also saying, “I require three things in a man: he must be handsome, ruthless, and stupid.” The more I discover about Dorothy Parker, the more her poem Love Song makes sense. As you sing this arrangement, really enunciate and make a big deal out of the last phrases of each verse to catch your audience off-guard. Poet Dorothy Parker's tongue-in-cheek humor is illuminated by Jones' whimsical writing - perfect for a somewhat "sassy" treble choir. Accessible and multi-functional throughout the year, this SA piece is appropriate for groups spanning different levels!

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