"My Child Will Forgive Me," from Parade

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 5/11/05 at 7:47pm

Okay, this is very random, but I was thinking about it and wondered what other people thought.

I was singing this song, the other day, and realized I wasn't exactly sure what kind of delivery would be appropriate. I've never actually seen Parade, just listened to the cast recording, so I only have that to go by. Should Mrs. Phagan still be dealing with the grief of loosing her child, so young, during this song, or should she have accepted it, by then? It's a prayer for her daughter (and herself, too): that she's in a better place, and is happier than she was on Earth, but is she trying to tell herself that through song song, or just stating it through song (or none of the above)?

Am I being clear at all? Basically, should Mrs. Phagan be calm, or on the verge of breaking down, throughout this song (especially that last line/word)?

Sorry if this is kind of a dumb question, but like I said: I never actually saw Parade...