Rodgers & Hart - "Sing For Your Supper" from "The Boys From Syracuse"

Sung by Rebecca Luker, Debbie Shapiro Gravitte and Christine Ebersole
sVHS rip
The Rodgers & Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty (1999)

[@liesljones5987]

Musical and lyrical ambrosia! When Richard Rodgers first heard this Hugh Martin vocal arrangement, he turned to someone and beamed: "There's only ONE thing that compares with this - and THIS is BETTER!"

[@christopherlyons5900]

Definitely one moment where he and Hart were on exactly the same page, not that this happened so rarely. As good a tune as could be imagined, with words perfectly crafted for the titular songbirds to trill. Hart wrote his best words for women, not men. Why? He identified with them. Perhaps more than any other lyricist of this era. And he celebrated them in all their variety of temperament. He did tend to like 'bad' girls best. Adventurous, let's say. I've never seen the original musical--the movie they made in the 30's doesn't seem like a very faithful adaptation (not musically, that's for sure). But regardless of the context in which this song was performed, there's a lot more going on here than an audition. Audition for what, pray tell? The Boys From Syracuse came out when The Depression was still ongoing. Broadway was heavily impacted, which is why Rodgers & Hart went to Hollywood a few years. It was starting to recover when they returned in triumph to create their best work together. But still hard times for songbirds--chorus girls and boys. Hard times for most people. So what's the subtext? How many struggling vocal artists had to literally sing for their supper? And figuratively--"So little swallow swallow now." The double entendre somehow got past the censors. You see it implied in this number, them flirting with the guy who hands them a contract. Courtesans were a thing, in the era the play was set, and the era it was staged. Stars might not have to do it, but few of them ever reached that level--and they still wanted so much to have that glorious moment on stage. And isn't Hart himself, as he sees it, one of the songbirds? Singing for his supper? Rich though he'd become, he was never more than a few flops from destitution, the way he went through money. Rodgers is melody--Hart is meaning. And the meaning of this song is grab onto life, any way you can, long as you can. Music elevates the soul. Song gives voice to our deepest desires. There's always another generation of greedy grasping lechers--the ranks of producers swell with them, on Broadway and in Hollywood--good luck canceling that entirely--but they'll die and be forgotten. The song lives on.

[@tadimaggio]

I came here the moment I heard of Rebecca Luker's death. There is no better tribute to pay to a great artist than to savor the beauty of their accomplishments. The PBS Rodgers and Hart special, from which this delightful trio was taken, was a GORGEOUS experience (why it has never been issued as a CD and/or a DVD is utterly beyond me). Among its many splendors were Rebecca's solo of "Falling In Love With Love", and her duet of "Where or When". The only way to describe her celestial vocals was a line of Hawkeye's on "M*A*S*H", when speaking of an old girlfriend: "When they heard her voice, eight nightingales got out of the business." Rest in peace, Rebecca.

[@andrewbevan4662]

Susan Egan sang "Where or When" on that show

[@CliffMcAulay]

R.I.P. Rebecca Luker. A new angel for the musical heavens.This recording is a treasure that will bring pleasure to millions from all over the world. Thank you for uploading.

[@MrGumby385]

This has to be one of the very best Rodgers and Hart songs. Never fails to put a smile on my face.

[@Howard2006]

So tragic that Rebecca Luker's death in 2020 cutting her career short. She does a super job with this song.

[@chriswhiteauditions]

God's speed, Ms. Luker, and rest in peace!

[@Ignorance96]

This is my favorite rendition of this song. Everyone in the trio are perfectly cast in their vocal parts and they all capture the Andrews Sisters-esq harmonies and style. I wish it was on spotify.

[@mikecallahan1879]

Played this video many times last two days. Thrilling.

[@gregorymilosh8141]

Joyous and uplifting Thank you Mr. Rodgers for that infectious melody and thank you Mr. Hart for those incredibly witty and incomparable lyrics.

[@Howard2006]

Well done! Rodgers and Hart were a great team despite Larry Hart's many problems.

[@jochenstossberg5427]

They were great together because of Hart's personal problems, I think. Like Cole Porter, Hart could disguise what he was really saying behind dazzlingly witty lyrics that some people just didn't get. So get away with it he did! I love this version. It's terrific.

[@missm8067]

Rest In Peace Rebecca Luker 😔

[@UncleOafie]

FABULOUS! Makes You want to get up and sing, and dance along with these very talented Ladies. Any song that up-lifts our spirits, and stirs our emotions, will forever remain priceless. I would've loved to have seen this 2002 Broadway Revival in person. Can you imagine our world without the skills and talents of Rodgers & Hart (and so many others)?

[@RoyFive]

Rodgers and Hart were great together.

[@ziegfeldgirl77]

What harmonies! What talented ladies! And what a beautiful song!

[@dianaaljadeff2983]

One of the best performances of the trio

[@tommyo.8572]

great version of a great and underrated song.

[@adriannalypeckyj2513]

This is an A+ performance by three very talented ladies. Fabulous job. Rebecca Luker was sensational. One of the best singers in the world.

[@tadimaggio]

Can anyone explain to me why the STUNNING PBS special that this segment was taken from -- a tribute to Rodgers and Hart -- has (a) never been rebroadcast and (b) never been released on either CD or DVD? I was practically dancing around my bedroom when I watched it years ago, and I watch the fragments of it that are available on KZbin (especially this one) again and again. I can't believe that I'm the only one.

[@ChasChas9]

Hi Thomas DiMaggio, I know you posted some time ago! I only just saw this! Luckily I have a complete digital recording of this, it was re-transmitted by BBC(4) in 2014. The original documentary was a joint BBC TV and Thirteen/WNET production copyright BBC 1998; (you must have seen a re-transmission on PBS?). Aspect Ratio 4:3. Probably shot on early-ish tape so the video original quality is not quite up to modern digital standards (as transmitted in 2014 anyway) but the audio is top notch. IMHO The trouble is that the show contains what I think are rather disparaging remarks about Larry Hart from some of the commentators (never Richard Rodgers or family). Larry Hart obviously had his demons and died young because of them, but that shouldn't take away from the brilliance of his lyrics. I think the reason for lack of re-transmission probably might relate to this and difficulty of getting permissions. I must say that it is a pity because it was a lovely piece of work (excepting the above remarks) and a real shame that the wonderful performances to the original period orchestrations do not get their deserves and repeat royalties. C+

[@tadimaggio]

To Chas G. Thanks so much for your response to my comment. Is there any way I could arrange to purchase a copy of the digital recording that you have of this special? By the by: Poor Larry Hart did indeed have his share of demons -- he was gay in a homophobic time (as a gay man, I can't imagine how bad it must have been for him), Jewish in an anti-Semitic time, and short in a society that isn't notably kind to any short man not named Napoleon. These three devils probably combined to drive him to the fourth, alcohol, which eventually killed him. I must say, however, that I don't recall any comments on the special that put him down for any of this, and certainly none that denigrated his work. On that last point, I consider Hart to be one of the three greatest theater lyricists of all time, together with W.S.Gilbert and Stephen Sondheim. As a lifelong theater person -- both on stage and in an orchestra seat -- the body of work that Rodgers and Hart did is an everlasting source of joy to me.

[@andrewbevan4662]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6nVpoB3qsingpI

[@arthurboehm]

Bliss! Best version ever--and I've heard lots!

[@jochenstossberg5427]

A deliciously naughty Rodgers and Hart song brilliantly done here. So for those of you who still don't quite get it - spend the night with your date and you'll get breakfast, lunch and dinner - free

[@ldawson61062]

With the always marvelous lyrics of Larry Hart.

[@leprechaunstud582]

Hart was a phenomenal lyricist, and one of my favorites. Sadly, he was a tortured and unhappy man, but what an incredible talent.

[@TheMashedTomatoes]

I think Emmet mixed up his favorite and LP playlist lol

[@remyllebeau77]

Have you heard of the high elves who sing?

[@hunterfogleman7443]

Yeah and he hasn’t taken it down yet lol! Glad to see a fellow lafave bros fan.

[@EmmettLaFave]

lmao sorry guys but it's a great song hope you enjoyed

[@larrygevirtz30]

A thrilling version of a great song. This talented trio have well earned their supper!

[@drbulbul]

That was amazing! Until today, i was only familiar with the Mamas and the Papas' version.

[@pudgeuncle]

All three ladies are great singers No need to compare.

[@SofiaCaloiero]

No one can do it better than Cass

[@lenaponte3989]

Learning this piece right now...So many difficult harmonies and even whole tone scales, and yet I still love it to bits.

[@ProfessorSyndicateFranklai]

0:17 - So I've heard The most beautiful trill harmony that I've ever heard. I checked to make sure that it wasn't the sound of birds outside the window.

[@showtunestarpower]

Great to see the great Ebersole giving her support to Luker and Gravite!

[@helenavat]

Lyrics: Sing for your supper, and you'll get breakfast; Songbirds always eat If their song is sweet to hear Sing for your luncheon, and you'll get dinner--- Dine with wine of choice If romance is in your voice I heard from wise canary Trilling makes a fellow willing; So, little swallow, swallow now Now is the time to Sing for your supper and you'll get breakfast Songbirds are not dumb; They don't buy a crumb of bread It's said... So sing and you'll be fed I heard from wise canary Trilling makes a fellow willing; So, little swallow, swallow now Now is time to sing for your supper, and you'll get breakfast Songbirds are not dumb; They never buy a crumb of bread It is said... So sing, and you'll be fed, oh yeah--- Just sing and you'll be fed

[@GianMarcoTavazzani]

THANKS :-)

[@tadimaggio]

I'd just like to express my support for the magnificently talented Rebecca Luker, as she battles ALS. This is a particularly dreadful disease; I pray that God grants both her and her family and friends the strength to cope with whatever may come. They will all be in my prayers.

[@davidahlstrom7533]

Great. Before there was Rodgers and Hammerstein there was Rodgers and Hart and many classic tunes and shows.

[@suenormanton9034]

Nine people have given this a thumbs down - WHY? Sad Philistines.

[@GianMarcoTavazzani]

Yes, I wondered the same, now 16, as soon as I saw that incredible judgment... I do believe they should be tracked because some people start by acting so and then they become mass murders, isn't it? :-D

[@manonowen1398]

They're probably not broadway lovers

[@mikecallahan1879]

Not only sad but unbelievable.

[@jochenstossberg5427]

They don't understand the song - that's all. Feel sorry for them!

[@joesampson7724]

Outstanding singers.

[@14mathurin]

Is it rebecca's hat,costume, voice or blonde beauty which makes this an adorable & so rare a moment - ?

[@tomshea8382]

Yes.

[@14mathurin]

Brilliant - I watch it time after time -

[@princeandrey]

Wonderful! Beauty, talent, and Rogers and Hart--and no melissma! It's heartening.

[@AlexKaufman92092]

Is that Christine Ebersole belting the last "Fed" up there? 'Cause that was awesome.

[@SuperRegency]

"So, little swallow swallow now"-- lyrics don't come any more risque than that. Terrific rendition of the great song and I just love to watch this version over and over.

[@tadimaggio]

While I love the four masterpiece shows that Rodgers and Hammerstein created together, there is simply no getting around the fact that Rodgers and Hart created a far superior body of music/lyrics. Unfortunately, the shows in which these songs appeared didn't (except for "Pal Joey") have the theatrical longevity, as theater pieces, that the Hammerstein collaborations did. But what GLORIOUS songs they are!

[@baygelldawg3768]

That was by design. The Rodgers and Hammerstein organization did nothing to preserve the Rodgers and Hart shows or to make them available for professional or amateur productions.

[@billsnyder6391]

@@baygelldawg3768 Recently Mary Rodgers said something regarding that, but that Hammerstein did such a better job at integrating the songs into the plot and were really not sale-able. These days audiences can accept a wide variety of forms of musical theatre. For example, Merrily We Roll Along was a big flop because of the formal structure of it. I'd bet that Pal Joey and Boys from Syracuse could work with a re-written book. The song Zip in Pal Joey might not work, since barely anyone remembers Gypsy Rose Lee other than from Gypsy. And, frankly, what does it have to do with the plot?

[@taddyd1]

Cass Elliot period

[@thequeenofkings9628]

The melancholic vibe of Cass' version is amazing. None of the tweeness of this arrangement.

[@abigailsnarr3994]

I can't wait to sing this in my opera grouo

[@kerryincolumbus]

+Abigail Snarr .... don't leave us hanging.. how did it go?

[@greyandalfredo]

YA HOWD IT GOOOO

[@virgoboi24]

i love this song! i also love and did the show this song came from. i dont know about the middle lady but the soprano/rebecca and the alto/debbie were in the broadway cast

[@stephaniekeyes2928]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheSaneHatter]

This is NOT an easy number to sing! Even I can tell that. Wow.

[@SethChristenfeld]

Luker and Gravitte had played Adriana and Luce respectively at Encores!, which is what provided the basis for this TV special. Ebersole is subbing for Sarah Uriarte Berry, who played Luciana.

[@fringelily]

I've been hoping someone would put these performances up for ages ... thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@PussycatGoGo]

I tapped this doc from PBS on VHS years ago and couldn't find it again. Thank you!

[@japagowtrio8008]

Perfect.

[@greatm1000]

wonderful

[@robertobordino7141]

great

[@amsaric]

This is amazing. I have never been so stunned and amused. At least not in a while... :)

[@tooslimnc]

@tommytimp Christine's songs from Grey Gardens are wonderful. They play them often on Sirius Broadway channel. Another Winter in a Summer Town....it just kills you. Also, Around the World....also heartbreaking, what a performer she is.

[@SethChristenfeld]

This was from a PBS special produced in relation to City Center's Encores! series around 2000.

[@krpbdp]

Lovely, but why was Ms. Ebersole not given a solo? I was waiting to hear her amazing voice, not that it didn't shine through with the others. I've always been a giant fan of Ms. Luker. She should have won a Tony years ago. There is no justice.

[@greyandalfredo]

doodle doodle doodle dooo💀😂🙌🏿😍

[@LifeOutsideTheBubble]

The most beautiful and absolutely filthy song lol

[@jochenstossberg5427]

Yes! I love it when people don't get it. Make it even funnier. Great stuff.

[@tommytimp]

@virgoboi24 The other one is Christine Ebersole, who, believe it or not, has an even better voice IMO than the other two (though only a hair better than Rebecca Luker's). She won her second Tony for Grey gardens, so see if you can find her doing "Another Winter in a Summer Town" here on youtube. Heartbreaking.

[@tooslimnc]

I agree, "Another Winter" is so touching when she sings it...And also from Grey Gardens "Around the World"...so poignant. When she sings " a birdcage for a bird that flew away..." it makes you want to weep.

[@BardCoennius]

"There is a certain holiness about Richard Rodgers' music." - Cole Porter I did notice a slight deviation from Rodgers' original score toward the end - other than that, an amazing performance.

[@toddavis8603]

Rogers and Hart had a gift from God, they definitely were not selfish socialist bastards, like we have today!!!Blonde/brunette/redhead is my fave.

[@Vancoin]

I'd love to hear Foxes and Fossils do a cover of this.

[@stloupenbray]

Wonderful risqué lyric. Lovely performance!

[@JoshFreilich]

@LaCageAuxGypsy I think that was Christine who had that note...

[@EmmettLaFave]

Max don't forget to equip your higher level armor

[@tarotbear]

I love it! But what was this produced for ... ? TV? Special???

[@diplomog]

Thanks

[@musa4539]

This is not a skyrim let's play. Ok nice song tho

[@adamengstrom5349]

i love the turkish

[@adamengstrom5349]

ily ily ty

[@Moribus_Artibus]

Civilization

[@susanf6509]

What is this from and I don't mean Boys From Syracuse, I mean a PBS special or a recording of an Encores presentation? If you know, please post the answer. This is great!

[@tooslimnc]

+Susan F PBS Great Performances "The Rodgers & Hart Story: Thou Swell, Thou Witty", broadcast January 1999. I adore Christine Ebersol !

[@bobkosovsky1370]

When Encores did Boys from Syracuse, Sarah Uriarte Berry had the role which Ebersole does here. It was one of the best out of all the Encores (the best being Chicago - still running on Broadway after 20 years).

[@christopherlyons5900]

Rodgers & Hart didn't write jazz songs, weren't even particularly into jazz (Hart wrote one line about 'jazz bands screeching detestable tunes', when working in Hollywood, but probably a lot of the ones at parties he had to attend for business were pretty awful). Somehow the jazz world went mad for them, translated from one idiom to another, often with astounding success, though sadly, more after Hart was gone. Rodgers later admired what Ella Fitzgerald did with his and Hart's work--recognizing that Rodgers & Hart had developed a second string to their bow that Rodgers & Hammerstein couldn't--and the Rodgers & Hart musicals were being produced less and less often, which I think is a damn shame. I think in this case Hugh Martin's arrangement Rodgers hired him to do for the musical, does flirt a little with jazz rhythms. With three women singing at the same time, a first-rate arranger was needed, and that's what makes this so interesting. The casting here is right--a very developed star soprano at the center--an actress with strong comic chops as well as vocal prowess--and an up and comer, who would become one of Broadway's greatest songbirds in a short time.

[@moo639]

Why no credit for Rob Fisher conducting the orchestra and pretending to play the piano.

[@DiabloSandwich59]

Man, Christine was really wasted in this.

[@tomshea8382]

Christine is kind of left-sharking the choreography. But no one cares, because queens get to do whatever they want.

[@jpk0498]

Debbie Gravitte just hosted the CT Highschool Musical Awards (Her son was also nominated for lead actor I think but didnt win) and half the crew and alot of the audience and schools performing was pretty sure she was pretty tipsy.

[@drsunshine1959]

Why must Debbie Shapiro Gravitte always throw that annoying heimlich maneuver sound she makes into everything she sings?

[@MrRhickok1109]

They sound good individually but I think they really sound terrible singing together.

[@jochenstossberg5427]

Hello????