Ira Gershwin's lyrics to Porgy and Bess

[gypsy101]

Posted: 1/1/16 at 11:13pm

I received the Hat Box for Christmas this year, after several years of frequently checking Look I Made a Hat and Finishing the Hat out from the library, so I'm glad to finally own it (and it was $50 on Amazon, which was a great deal for my boyfriend) and in critiquing Ira Gershwin's lyrics, he mentions specifically two songs from Porgy and Bess that had lyrics written by Gershwin: "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "Oh Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?" After doing some googling, I can't figure it out, so I thought maybe one of you knowledgable people may have a list of specifically which portions from P&B had lyrics by DuBose Heyward (Sondheim is of the opinion -- or may know by fact -- that most of the show's lyrics are Heyward's are among the best of any musical) and which were by Ira Gershwin, and which they collaborated on. Let me know!

Updated On: 1/1/16 at 11:13 PM

[A Director]

Posted: 1/1/16 at 11:37pm

From The Complete Lyrics of Ira Gershwin:

I Got Plenty o" Nuthin' - Lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward

Bess, You Is My Woman Now Lyrics by Heyward and Gershwin

O, I Can't Sit Down! Lyrics y Gershwin

It Ain't Necessarily So Lyrics by Gershwin

I Loves You, Porgy Lyrics by Gershwin and Heyward

A Redheaded Woman Lyrics by Gershwin

The rest of the libretto/lyrics were written by Heyward.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 1/2/16 at 1:37am

Thank you!