George Gershwin: The Man I Love (Arr. for piano by Percy Grainger)
Performed by Christian Dillig (www.christiandillig.com)
The world-famous song by George (1898-1937) and Ira Gershwin (1896-1983) "The Man I Love" first appeared integrated into the satirical musical "Lady, Be Good". At the time, the song found no favor with the audience and was initially postponed in the show, then removed altogether and reissued in another work - partly under the title "The Girl I Love". Again without success. Later, of course, the song made a steep career, was included in the Great American Songbook and, after countless cover versions - think Ella Fitzgerald - , finally reached a place in the British charts in 1994 :-) By the way, the melody is an offshoot of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. The Australian-born arranger Percy Grainger (1882-1961), who arranged the song for piano, was a famous concert pianist, university teacher and arranger in his day. In his youth he was a friend of Edvard Grieg, who influenced him, among others. As a university teacher, however, Grainger also championed jazz and organized Duke Ellington as a guest lecturer.
Original lyrics:
Someday he'll come along
The man I love
And he'll be big and strong
The man I love
And when he comes my way
I'll do my best to make him stay
He'll look at me and smile
I'll understand
Then in a little while
He'll take my hand
And though it seems absurd
I know we both won't say a word
Maybe I shall meet him Sunday
Maybe Monday, maybe not
Still I'm sure to meet him one day
Maybe Tuesday will be my good news day
He'll build a little home
That's meant for two
From which I'll never roam
Who would, would you
And so all else above
I'm dreaming of the man I love