1934

Dreamin’ Town

Composed by Florence Price
"Dreamin' Town" sets the text of Paul Laurence Dunbar from his volume Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadow of 1905. The song was published by Southern Music Company as the first song of Florence Price's Four Songs (in Volume 15 of Art Songs by American Women Composers). Price depicts the rocking motion of a lullaby in the 6/8 meter of the piano accompaniment. She uses chromaticism sparingly to maintain the serenity and hope of a mother's dreams.

Audio

Dreamin’ Town
Alexis Davis-Hazell, mezzo-soprano and Rosalyn Wright Floyd, piano3:12

Florence Price

Composer

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Poet(s)/Writer(s)

2022

Date

University of California, Irvine, Winifred Smith Hall

Location

This recording was part of a 8pm concert ("My Sister’s Keeper") on Friday, October 14, 2022 during the 25th Anniversary African American Art Song Alliance Conference. The concert venue was Winifred Smith Hall at the University of California, Irvine.

Text

Dreamin’ Town
by Paul Laurence Dunbar

Come away to dreamin’ town,
Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou,
Whaih de skies don’ nevah frown,
Mandy Lou;
Whaih he streets is paved with gol’,
Whaih de days is nevah col’,
An’ no sheep strays f’om de fol’,
Mandy Lou.

Ain’t you tiahed of every day,
Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou,
Tek my han’ an’ come away,
Mandy Lou,
To the place whaih dreams is King,
Whaih my heart hol’s everything,
An’ my soul can allus sing,
Mandy Lou.

Come away to dream wid me,
Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou,
Whaih our hands an’ hea’ts are free,
Mandy Lou;
Whaih de sands is shinin’ white,
Whaih de rivahs glistens bright,
Mandy Lou.

Come away to dreamland town,
Mandy Lou, Mandy Lou,
Whaih de fruit is bendin’ down,
Des fu’ you.
Smooth your brow of lovin’ brown,
An’ my love will be its crown;
Come away to dreamin’ town,
Mandy Lou.

Related Information

African Diaspora Music Project

africandiasporamusicproject.org/items/show/3642

Sheet Music

Art Songs by American Women Composers, Vol. 15: Florence Price

Florence Price
Dreamin' Town
What's the use?
Go down, Moses
My little soul's goin' to shine
Medium/High
Find at your Local Library (Out-of-print)