The Saga of Jenny
Gertrude Lawrence
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There once was a girl named Jenny Whose virtues were varied and many Excepting that she was inclined Always to make up her mind And Jenny points a moral With which we cannot quarrel As you will find Jenny made her mind up when she was three She herself was going to trim the Christmas tree Christmas Eve she lit the candles tossed the taper away Little Jenny was an orphan on Christmas Day Jenny made her mind up when she was twelve That into foreign languages she would delve But at seventeen to Vassar it was quite a blow That in twenty-seven languages she couldn't say no Poor Jenny Bright as a penny Her equal would be hard to find She lost one dad and mother A sister and a brother But she would make up her mind In foreign languages, she couldn't say no Jenny made her mind up at twenty two To get herself a husband was the thing to do She got herself all dolled up in her satins and furs She got herself a husband but he wasn't hers Jenny made her mind up at thirty nine She would take a trip to the Argentine She was only on vacation but the Latins agree Jenny was the one who started the Good Neighbour Policy Poor Jenny Bright as a penny Her equal would be hard to find But passion doesn't vanish In Portuguese or Spanish And she would make up her mind She instituted the Good Neighbour Policy Jenny made her mind up at seventy-five She would live to be the oldest woman alive But gin and rum and whiskeyy play funny tricks And Jenny kicked the bucket at seventy-six Jenny points a moral With which you cannot quarrel Makes a lot of common sense Jenny and her saga Prove that you are gaga If you don't keep sitting on the fence Jenny and her story Point the way to glory To all man and womankind Anyone with vision Comes to this decision Don't make up You shouldn't make up You mustn't make up Oh never make up Anyone with vision Comes to this decision Don't (don't) make (make) up (up) your (your) mind
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Written by: IRA GERSHWIN, KURT WEILL
Lyrics © T.R.O. INC., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Original Composer"The Saga Of Jenny" was composed by Kurt Weill, a prominent German composer known for his collaborations with playwright Bertolt Brecht.
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ConceptThis song is from the musical "Lady in the Dark", which debuted on Broadway in 1941. The musical is about a fashion magazine editor undergoing psychoanalysis.
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Original SingerIconic theater actress Gertrude Lawrence first introduced the song. Lawrence is known for her work in Noel Coward plays and musicals like "The King and I".
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Lyrical DepthThe lyrics of the song are credited to Ira Gershwin. The narrative of the song describes a woman named Jenny and the contrasting decisions she makes throughout her life, reflecting the extreme contrasts within the leading character's psyche in "Lady in The Dark".
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Themes"The Saga Of Jenny" can be seen as a critique of the indecisiveness of the character in the musical, a theme that resonates with general human behavior and decision making.
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Cover by Dawn UpshawA notable rendition of "The Saga of Jenny" was done by soprano singer Dawn Upshaw. She is known for her interpretations of both traditional opera and modern compositions.
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Cultural ImpactThe song has been embraced in popular culture and has been performed by numerous artists over the decades.
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Animation ConnectionThe song was notably featured in an episode of the animated television show Justice League titled "This Little Piggy".
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Popularity in 21st CenturyIn the 21st century, the song gained renewed popularity when it was made part of the score for the 2012 revival of "Lady In The Dark" by MasterVoices at New York City Center. This version was directed and conducted by Ted Sperling.
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Musical StyleThe music style is significantly influenced by jazz, along with typical Broadway show tune ingredients and Kurt Weill's signature melodious style.
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Citation
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"The Saga of Jenny Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/8332756/Gertrude+Lawrence/The+Saga+of+Jenny>.
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