Mama, A Rainbow

Covered by Rob Dorn. From the musical "Minnie's Boys," about the young Marx Brothers and the relationship with their mother.
Book by Arthur Marx and Robert Fisher, music by Larry Grossman, and lyrics by Hal Hackady.
Sung in the show by Harpo Marx.
I own nothing. This is solely for entertainment purposes.

[@chesslerbooks]

Daniel Fortus who played Harpo and originated this song on Broadway was my first cousin. He was about my age or younger, I was 26 in 1970 when the show opened. I remember him from our large family gatherings on Long Island in the 1950s. He was very talented and often sang for all his cousins, aunts and uncles. He died not longer after the show closed, with symptoms that now sound like he had Aids. I wish I could hear him sing again. Another small world factoid, Shelley Winters who was the star of this show went to my high school, Thomas Jefferson, in Brooklyn which is also the alma mater of Danny Kaye and Steve Lawrence. So I have always felt connected to this show because of Danny.

[@dave.thayer]

I went to high school, with Danny - Professional Children’s School, In Manhattan. Lot of talent there. We had some amazing assembly programs with performances by students who went on to careers, in the arts. Danny sang at one of the assembly’s - probably, in 1967. He sang “Why Did I Choose You?” from the musical> “THE YEARLING.” Nice voice. Perfect choice, for Harpo. Gone too soon.

[@Liza_s.o.l.e]

My close friend, classmate, and scene partner sang this song in class our first semester. He passed away that same semester. Today is the 1 year anniversary. He is dancing in another life now. RIP Eric. I'll always love and miss you.

[@chocolatesouljah]

Beautiful!

[@karima313]

I have sung this song many Mother's Days in Church. This is a special dedication to my mom, in Heaven with Jesus, tomorrow ..... forty years!!!!

[@richardwhite3924]

I have managed to sing this song in public only twice - once at my mother's memorial service and once, by request, at the memorial service for a close friend's mother. It's just too emotional for me.

[@RollOnToVictory]

Make sure you call your mother every mother's day....... I wish I could call mine.

[@agcmusic3925]

Respect man! Lots of respect!

[@flannerymonaghan-morris4825]

This song always makes me think of my Grammy. The lyrics to this were printed out in both her scrapbook she got filled with love from friends and family during her 60th birthday party back in 2005…and also, the lyrics were printed on the program for her funeral last year. Cannot stop crying. In fact, I had NO idea it started out originally as a musical theater song, as I had never heard of it before. I thought it was originally a poem before I found out it was a song. But anyway…this makes me cry remembering her and her warm heart. RIP Grammy (1945-2022). God I miss you sooooo much.

[@vinnyjoseph1]

i still cry when I sing it what a great song what a show sad it did not do more vinny joseph

[@frankie6771]

What do you give to the lady who has given All her life and love to you What do you give to the reason you are livin' I could window shop the world Before I'm through Mama, a rainbow Mama, a sunrise Mama, the moon to wear That's not good enough No not good enough Not for Mama Mama, a palace Diamonds like door knobs Mountains of gold to spare That's not rich enough No not rich enough Not for Mama Mama, a life time crowded with laughter That's not long enough Not half long enough What can I give you That I can give you What will your present be Mama, young and beautiful Always young and beautiful That's the Mama I'll always see That's the Mama with love from me

[@VicMartino]

My older brother Michael took me to see Minnie's Boys when I was a child in the 70's. It was the first Broadway play I ever saw. I loved the Marx Brothers and still do. I am in the process of learning this song to sing/dedicate to my Mother Rose for a documentary I am working on about my mother and her friends living in Williamsburg Brooklyn back in the day before it became trendy as it is now. The problem is I keep breaking down crying as I am learning/singing this song.

[@showtunestarpower]

I immediately put Rob Dorn's rendition of this terrific number from MINNIE'S BOYS on my favorite list. What a great interpretation. I love the piano accompaniment also. Thanks!

[@2015Drama]

The unofficial song for Mother’s Day

[@VicMartino]

My dearly departed older brother Michael took me to see Minnie's Boys when it was on Broadway in NYC. I sing this song in my documentary film "Williamsburg Brooklyn then and now/My Mother and her friends" that can now be viewed here on You Tube!!

[@VicMartino]

I sing this song in my documentary film "Williamsburg Brooklyn then and now/My Mother and her friends" now available for viewing here on You Tube.

[@sophiehanssel2017]

Love this

[@Bribrandyn489]

Why is that when I look for the accompaniment online, I don't find this version? The one on PianoTrax doesn't even begin like this song....

[@MollyMorrell]

Do you have a copy of the song "Minnie's Boys" (the title song of the show)? Track 11, act 2? My mom wants to listen to it, and I can't find it anywhere.

[@SarahcBee]

Where did you find this version? I'm singing this song in a play and all I can find are crappy karaoke versions

[@lindajay7695]

Who is singing this? I just found out the name of Minnie Marx's book re: raising her five irrepressible sons in a New York tenement: Minnie's Boys. Am going to get a copy very soon!

[@zackgrant7981]

I believe it's Daniel Fortus.

[@antonyoflaherty3532]

Who is singing this rendition?

[@Idontwantomakeupahandle]

Rob Dorn

[@motherbrain2000]

Can't find this version for piano. Frustrating. I can find dozens of versions that just aren't even close to this one. Had to learn this oneby ear like some sort of jazz luddite .

[@danielnovak16]

What do you give to the lady who has given All her life and love to you What do you give to the reason you are livin' I could window shop the world Before I'm through Mama, a rainbow Mama, a sunrise Mama, the moon to wear That's not good enough No not good enough Not for Mama Mama, a palace Diamonds like door knobs Mountains of gold to spare That's not rich enough No not rich enough Not for Mama Mama, a life time crowded with laughter That's not long enough Not half long enough What can I give you That I can give you What will your present be Mama, young and beautiful Always young and beautiful That's the Mama I'll always see That's for Mama with love from me

[@chloe-gs5no]

What do you give to the lady who has given All her life and love to you What do you give to the reason you are livin' I could window shop the world Before I'm through Mama, a rainbow Mama, a sunrise Mama, the moon to wear That's not good enough No not good enough Not for Mama Mama, a palace Diamonds like door knobs Mountains of gold to spare That's not rich enough No not rich enough Not for Mama Mama, a life time crowded with laughter That's not long enough Not half long enough What can I give you That I can give you What will your present be Mama, young and beautiful Always young and beautiful That's the Mama I'll always see... That's the Mama with love from me What can I give you What will your present be Mama, young and beautiful Always young and beautiful That's the Mama I'll always see... That's the Mama with - love - from - me...