A Man Has Dreams
Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Disney
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A man has dreams of walking with giants To carve his niche in the edifice of time Before the mortar of his zeal Has a chance to congeal The cup is dashed from his lips The flame is snuffed aborning He's brought to rack and ruin in his prime My world was calm, well ordered, exemplary Then came this person, with chaos in her wake And now my life's ambitions go with one fell blow It's quite a bitter pill to take A spoonful of sugar that is all it takes It changes bread and water into tea and cakes A spoonful of sugar goes a long, long way 'Ave yourself a 'ealthy 'elpin' ev'ry day You're a man of 'igh position Esteemed by your peers And when your little tykes are cryin' You 'aven't time to dry their tears And see them grateful little faces Smilin' up at you Because their dad, 'e always knows Just what to do You've got to grind, grind, grind At that grindstone Though child'ood slips like sand through a sieve And all too soon they've up and grown And then they've flown And it's too late for you to give Just that spoonful of sugar To 'elp the medicine go down The medicine go down, the medicine go down
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Written by: RICHARD M. SHERMAN, ROBERT B. SHERMAN
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Composition"A Man Has Dreams" is a composition produced by Walt Disney Pictures for the film "Mary Poppins." It features music by Richard M. Sherman and lyrics by Robert B. Sherman.
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Featured FilmThe song was prominently featured in the iconic 1964 musical film "Mary Poppins," which starred stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. It can be heard in a scene between the character George Banks and Bert.
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PerformanceThe song is sung in a duet by David Tomlinson, who played Mr. George Banks, and Dick Van Dyke, who portrayed Bert the Chimney Sweep.
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Meaningful LyricsThe song's lyrics depict a moment of self-reflection for Mr. Banks, who realizes he has neglected his family in favor of his job. It serves as an important turning point for the character in the film.
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Combining Two SongsInterestingly, "A Man Has Dreams" is actually a combination of two songs. They are "The Life I Lead," sung by George Banks, and "A Spoonful of Sugar," sung by Mary Poppins in different parts of the movie.
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Emotional ImpactThe song is considered as one of the most emotional moments in the movie, where Mr. Banks laments about the perils of adulthood and the loss of innocence. The scene is a critical moment in the film where Mr. Banks begins to understand the importance of imagination and play in children's (and his own) lives.
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Broadway Adaptation"A Man Has Dreams" also features in the Broadway adaptation of "Mary Poppins," in a slightly modified form. It is used as a soul-searching song for George Banks on the stage much like in the movie.
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Dick Van Dyke's Singing RoleWhile Dick Van Dyke is best known for his role as a physical comedian in "Mary Poppins," his rendition of "A Man Has Dreams" is a reminder of his underrated singing abilities.
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Original Soundtrack AlbumThe song is also included in the Original Soundtrack Album of "Mary Poppins," which reached number one on the Billboard Chart in 1965.
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Nostalgic AppealDespite being over 50 years old, "A Man Has Dreams" continues to have a nostalgic appeal, encapsulating some of the key messages and themes of the movie "Mary Poppins," such as parenthood, work-life balance, and the importance of maintaining a youthful spirit.
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Citation
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