While editing the two-volume set of Stephen Sondheim’s complete lyrics, Peter Gethers learned

While editing the two-volume set of Stephen Sondheim’s complete lyrics, Peter Gethers learned that the Broadway great, who turned 90 last month, “insists” that lyrics are not poetry. But Gethers, who has now co-edited a new pocket volume of the lyrics with our late colleague Russell Perreault, quotes the OED definition of poetry in his introduction, inviting readers to judge for themselves: “A piece of writing in which the expression of feelings and ideas is given intensity by particular attention to diction (sometimes involving rhyme), rhythm, and imagery.” Offering selections from favorites such as A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum (1962), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd (1979), Sunday In the Park with George (1984), and many more, the collection is a tour of the wit, heightened feeling, and life lessons these lyrics bring to us on wings of song. Below, a piece of “Children Will Listen,” the finale of the dark musical fairy tale Into the Woods (1986).from “Children Will Listen”WIFESometimes people leave youHalfway through the wood.Do not let it grieve you,No one leaves for good.You are not alone.No one is alone.Hold him to the light now,Let him see the glow.Things will be all right now.Tell him what you know …WITCHCareful the things you say,Children will listen.Careful the things you do,Children will see.And learn.Guide them along the way,Children will glisten.Children will look to youFor which way to turn,To learn what to be.Careful before you say,“Listen to me.”Children will listen.ALLCareful the wish you make,Wishes are children.Careful the path they take—Wishes come true,Not free.Careful the spell you cast,Not just on children.Sometimes the spell may lastPast what you can seeAnd turn against you …WITCHCareful the tale you tell.That is the spell.Children will listen …ALLThough it’s fearful,Though it’s deep, though it’s darkAnd though you may lose the path,Though you may encounter wolves,You can’t just act,You have to listen.You can’t just act,You have to think.There are always wolves,There are always spells,There are always beans,Or a giant dwellsThere,So:Into the woods you go again,You have to every now and then.Into the woods, no telling when,Be ready for the journey.Into the woods, but not too fast,Or what you wish you lose at last.Into the woods, but mind the past.Into the woods, but mind the future.Into the woods, but not to strayOr tempt the WolfOr steal from the Giant.The way is dark,The light is dim,But now there’s you,Me, her and him.The chances look small,The choices look grim,But everything you learn thereWill help when you return there.More on this book and author:Learn more about Sondheim: Lyrics, edited by Peter Gethers and Russell Perreault.Learn more about Stephen Sondheim.Browse other books in the Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets Series.Peruse other poems, audio recordings, and broadsides in the Knopf poem-a-day series.To share the poem-a-day experience with friends, pass along this link. -- source link

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