Stephen Schwartz: "Queen of Versailles was a really good show!" - Page 2

[darquegk]

Stephen Schwartz: "Queen of Versailles was a really good show!" #25

Posted: 6/18/26 at 10:14pm

All these quibbles about the lyrics: I won’t say they’re all good lyrics, but it’s not like these are emblematic of this score. Stephen Schwartz has always preferred a whimsical, eccentric use of the English language in his lyrics. This is the guy who has the only use of “pelf” in modern English literature, after all. 

[John Adams]

Stephen Schwartz: "Queen of Versailles was a really good show!" #26

Posted: 6/18/26 at 11:13pm

darquegk said: "Stephen Schwartz has always preferred a whimsical, eccentric use of the English language in his lyrics. This is the guy who has the only use of “pelf” in modern English literature, after all."

Fun fact:  Charlemagne ruled during the 8th and 9th centuries. He died in January of 814. His son, Pepin the Hunchback ("Pippin" in the musical) died from plague in 811. 

The word "pelf" (Money; riches; gain; especially when dishonestly acquired) didn't even exist until the late 14th century (from Old French pelfre).

Schwartz knows how to use a thesaurus, even if his application of the word isn't necessarily in sync with an historical timeline 

Updated On: 6/19/26 at 11:13 PM