The NYT recently highlighted "There's a Boat" as one of the apex moments in musical theater history. People say this really belongs to an opera, but lines can be blurry.
"Boat" is a sales pitch. Sportin' Life wants Bess's company. He is trying to win her away from Porgy. He lures her with promises of an exciting new life in Manhattan; the promises are purely superficial. There will be nothing meaningful in New York City, but there will be sequins and bright lights.
I'll buy you the swellest mansion--
Up on upper Fifth Avenue.
And to Harlem we'll go struttin'....
We'll go a struttin'.....
And there'll be nothin' too good for you.
I'll dress you in silks and satins--
And the latest Paris styles--
And all your blues you'll be forgettin'...
You'll be forgettin'....
There'll be no frettin'.....
Just nothing but smiles....
Sportin' Life shows his contempt at the end of the song. "Don't be a fool. Come along." It's a demonic and frightening number. The apparent simplicity of the lyrics is the result of hard work.
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