this is from a musical called The Other Franklin. Context: Lizzie is wife to William Franklin, who is Benjamin Franklin’s son. After years of desperately wanting a child, becoming pregnant and ultimately miscarrying, she learns that she will never bear a child. She sings the song to her godson (her best friends’ newborn) in the nursery, while everyone else is in the next room celebrating the christening.
I feel such tenderness and heartbreak every time I hear this song. The lyrics are so pure, and the melody's a bright chime of newborn innocence, even with the undercurrent of sorrow. I don't know how Audra manages to not break down singing this, but grateful she can. This artist and song is a match made in Heaven.
Audra scares me when she sings. At the same time she holds me in rapt attention. She's...good isn't the world, nor amazing either. her voice, singing, presence are just like a dream. Absolutely heavenly.
I've always loved this song, but this performance goes so far beyond the recording. Her stage presence, facial expressions, and visible emotion takes this song to a whole different world. Absolutely gorgeous.
Wow. Audra's rendition of this song just brings me to tears every time. Her voice narrates the story behind this song...how heart-touching it is...I can't even find the words to describe it.
I am sincerely crying at this... what a beautiful song, espesh with THE best singer possible for the job. Feeling such a connection with your music, having only discovered it yesterday! What a talent!
Mr. Blumenkrantz, thank you so much for this song.... even though I cry every time I hear it. I saw Audra McDonald in "Billie Holiday at the...." last month and I contemplated leaving a note for her, thanking her for this particular song. Alas, I didn't, thinking what should that mean to her. But I'm glad to tell you what a gem this is.
won’t mind sitting by your cradle Singing to you softly far into the night. I won’t mind playing peek a boo for hours To see that look of wonder, wonder and delight Soon they’ll be asking “where is baby’s nose? Where is baby’s shoe? Where is baby’s hat?” Clever little boy they’ll say, Lizzie taught him that. I won’t mind telling you a story, Quacking like a duck, chirping like a bird. I won’t mind when you ask me to repeat it ‘Til you can say it with me Knowing every word. You needn’t worry if there’s chocolate on your hands, Jelly on your face, porridge on my skirt Run to me and I’ll be there to hold you when you hurt. They’ll say Auntie Lizzie can’t say no, They’ll say Auntie Lizzie’s spoiling you, They’ll say Auntie Lizzie’s wrapped around your finger I’ll say, “Yes, it’s true.” I won’t mind knowing that your mother Showers you with kisses, bakes your favorite bread I won’d mind when I see your father lift you and Swing you to his shoulders high above my head They may be busy, I can take you skating, I can take you sledding, Sliding down a hill. They won’t build a snowman, Auntie Lizzie will They’ll say Auntie Lizzie holds too tight, They’ll say Auntie Lizzie can’t let go They’ll say Auntie Lizzie’s really not your aunt anyway You’ll say, “no, that isn’t so.” In my heart, I will keep a secret, Foolish little secret, hidden from the rest. In my dreams you’re my own, my very own And I blanket you with love as I hold you to my breast. “Lizzie he’s not yours, Lizzie in his life Your part is very small…” But if one day a toy should break, or maybe playing patty-cake You call me mama by mistake, I won’t mind at all
It's like watching a masterclass in acting through song, total genius
This is heaven. Heartbreak and Joy all at once... I'm a nanny... This song is everything... xo
And, of COURSE, the way Audra sings it... Makes it all the more devastating... xo
this is from a musical called The Other Franklin. Context:
Lizzie is wife to William Franklin, who is Benjamin Franklin’s son. After years of desperately wanting a child, becoming pregnant and ultimately miscarrying, she learns that she will never bear a child. She sings the song to her godson (her best friends’ newborn) in the nursery, while everyone else is in the next room celebrating the christening.
Wow...thank you for the context..
Mkes it even more special, thank u
I feel such tenderness and heartbreak every time I hear this song. The lyrics are so pure, and the melody's a bright chime of newborn innocence, even with the undercurrent of sorrow. I don't know how Audra manages to not break down singing this, but grateful she can. This artist and song is a match made in Heaven.
She truly is incomparable. Breathtaking! Thanks for posting!
Audra scares me when she sings. At the same time she holds me in rapt attention. She's...good isn't the world, nor amazing either. her voice, singing, presence are just like a dream. Absolutely heavenly.
ethereal almost
A transition into the divine.
Totally. This transcends words like "performance" "art" "singing".
She’s brilliant
I've always loved this song, but this performance goes so far beyond the recording. Her stage presence, facial expressions, and visible emotion takes this song to a whole different world. Absolutely gorgeous.
This is the BEST rendition of this song ever. Audra is a goddess.
Utterly and veritably so.
Wow. Audra's rendition of this song just brings me to tears every time. Her voice narrates the story behind this song...how heart-touching it is...I can't even find the words to describe it.
There aren't enough words to describe how beautiful this is.
Mercy.
I love Audra
Watching this for the nth time... I really love this version
Yes. This is what it's all about. Just magic.
Beautiful voice.
This Woman! Just unreal. WOWZA
I love how she acts while singing... You can see and feel so much by looking at her
Audra, Jeff, Annie and Libby are definitely the core four
I am sincerely crying at this... what a beautiful song, espesh with THE best singer possible for the job. Feeling such a connection with your music, having only discovered it yesterday! What a talent!
My God! This woman is just incredible!
Audra's voice is amazing. Art. This song is just so beautiful.
So beautiful- Audra and this performance
I love watching this over and over again. You can just feel the emotion!!!
Beautiful 😍
Happy Mother's Day 2017 to Audra and everyone here.
Except that the song is about a woman who is not the mother -
possibly cannot be a mother but desperately wants to be?
Picture of perfection. As always. Thanks for posting!
gosh this song gets me teary every time... absolutely perfect.
Mr. Blumenkrantz, thank you so much for this song.... even though I cry every time I hear it. I saw Audra McDonald in "Billie Holiday at the...." last month and I contemplated leaving a note for her, thanking her for this particular song. Alas, I didn't, thinking what should that mean to her. But I'm glad to tell you what a gem this is.
You think you have problems? I'm a pianist, and I cry every time I play it with a singer.
@@urmorph Oh you think you have issues? Every time I'm in the audience and any woman sings this song amateur, pro, or trained I burst into puddles.
She is so talented.
wonderful
Audra is amazing and this song is amazing and uuuuuggghhhh 💙💙💙💙💙💕💕💕💕💕😍😍😍😍😍
Just fabalous.
Sigh... always so lovely.
Very nice, great emotion.
Amazing song and voice
this is so beautiful... major chills
simply beautiful...
Hi, people! Try to listen to Lea Salonga's version of this song. That's a good one too!
Can tears short circuit a laptop?
No, but really.
THIS....
Who is the pianist? Audra is perfection, but a lesser partner would ruin the effect.
Beautiful song but Auntie Lizzie sounds kind of creepy.
won’t mind sitting by your cradle
Singing to you softly far into the night.
I won’t mind playing peek a boo for hours
To see that look of wonder, wonder and delight
Soon they’ll be asking “where is baby’s nose?
Where is baby’s shoe?
Where is baby’s hat?”
Clever little boy they’ll say, Lizzie taught him that.
I won’t mind telling you a story,
Quacking like a duck, chirping like a bird.
I won’t mind when you ask me to repeat it
‘Til you can say it with me
Knowing every word.
You needn’t worry if there’s chocolate on your hands,
Jelly on your face, porridge on my skirt
Run to me and I’ll be there to hold you when you hurt.
They’ll say Auntie Lizzie can’t say no,
They’ll say Auntie Lizzie’s spoiling you,
They’ll say Auntie Lizzie’s wrapped around your finger
I’ll say, “Yes, it’s true.”
I won’t mind knowing that your mother
Showers you with kisses, bakes your favorite bread
I won’d mind when I see your father lift you and
Swing you to his shoulders high above my head
They may be busy, I can take you skating,
I can take you sledding,
Sliding down a hill.
They won’t build a snowman, Auntie Lizzie will
They’ll say Auntie Lizzie holds too tight,
They’ll say Auntie Lizzie can’t let go
They’ll say Auntie Lizzie’s really not your aunt anyway
You’ll say, “no, that isn’t so.”
In my heart, I will keep a secret,
Foolish little secret, hidden from the rest.
In my dreams you’re my own, my very own
And I blanket you with love as I hold you to my breast.
“Lizzie he’s not yours, Lizzie in his life
Your part is very small…”
But if one day a toy should break, or maybe playing patty-cake
You call me mama by mistake,
I won’t mind at all
I love how she acts while singing... You can see and feel so much by looking at her