1937

What’s the Use?

Composed by Florence Price
"What's the Use?" sets the text of Paul Laurence Dunbar. The song is published by Southern Music Company as the second song of Florence Price's Four Songs. Price modifies the poetry of Dunbar to include more standard English while keeping the essence of the original dialect. The use of syncopation in the accompaniment highlights Price's belief that "...All phases of truly Negro activity- whether work or play, singing or praying- are more than apt to take on a rhythmic quality."

Audio

What’s the Use?
Alexis Davis-Hazell, mezzo-soprano and Rosalyn Wright Floyd, piano1:13

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

What’s the Use?
by Paul Laurence Dunbar

What’s the use o’ folks a-frownin’
When the way’s a little rough?
Frowns lay out the road fur smilin’
You’ll be wrinkled soon enough.
What’s the use?

What’s the use o’ folks a-sighin’?
It’s an awful waste o’ breath,
An’ a body can’t stand wastin’
What he needs so bad in death.
What’s the use?

What’s the use o’ even weepin’?
Might as well go long an’ smile.
Life, out longest, strongest arrow,
Only lasts a little while.
What’s the use?