Sondheim's "Borrowed" Lyric
Sondheim's "Borrowed" Lyric
#1Sondheim's "Borrowed" Lyric
Posted: 1/19/24 at 5:48am
Reading Jean Rhys' brilliant novel "Voyage in the Dark, published in 1934, and came across this passage -
"You bet I do," Maudie said. "Here's to us. Who's like us? Damned few."
Has he ever cited this reference? Has it been noted before? Does it matter?
Musicaldudepeter
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/18/10
#2Sondheim's "Borrowed" Lyric
Posted: 1/19/24 at 6:31am
The original Merrily non-musical play opened on Broadway in 1934 - did that play originally include this quote that Sondheim used possibly? And therefore is that play quote from this novel?
#3Sondheim's "Borrowed" Lyric
Posted: 1/19/24 at 6:42am
Good point. But would a play opening in September '34 quote a book published that same year? I suppose it's possible.
#4Sondheim's "Borrowed" Lyric
Posted: 1/19/24 at 6:59am
As I understand it the phrase is less common English social expression not something Sondheim invented.
#5Sondheim's "Borrowed" Lyric
Posted: 1/19/24 at 7:09am
Yes! Looks like it is actually a quote from the poet Robert Burns.
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