The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, but it was initially sung on the opera ‘Porgy and Bess’. This opera was first performed back in 1935, with music created by George Gershwin. The libretto was provided by DuBose Heyward, and the lyrics were provided by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward - so these two were the real masterminds behind the song.
The opera was originally based on DuBose Heyward’s novel ‘Porgy’. This then went on to become the play ‘Progy and Bess’, which he co-wrote with his then wife, Dorothy Heyward. Every one of the three works, though, deal with the life of African-Americans in the fictitious place ‘Catfish Row’. The place was based on Cabbage Row, in Charleston, South Carolina. They’re all set in the 1920s, too.
The song has been sung by many including modern pop stars, including Beyonce.
The play that gave birth to the song was originally conceived as an American Folk Opera. It premiered in New York during the Autumn of 1935, and it had a whole case of African-American singers that were classically trained. This was indeed an artistic and daring choice at the time.
Here’s one of the more iconic verses:
Summertime, and the living is easy
Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich, and your ma is good looking
So hush little baby, don't you cry.
For more information on the play, go online to Wikipedia. There is a huge range of information available on the website about this song and the play.
The opera was originally based on DuBose Heyward’s novel ‘Porgy’. This then went on to become the play ‘Progy and Bess’, which he co-wrote with his then wife, Dorothy Heyward. Every one of the three works, though, deal with the life of African-Americans in the fictitious place ‘Catfish Row’. The place was based on Cabbage Row, in Charleston, South Carolina. They’re all set in the 1920s, too.
The song has been sung by many including modern pop stars, including Beyonce.
The play that gave birth to the song was originally conceived as an American Folk Opera. It premiered in New York during the Autumn of 1935, and it had a whole case of African-American singers that were classically trained. This was indeed an artistic and daring choice at the time.
Here’s one of the more iconic verses:
Summertime, and the living is easy
Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high
Your daddy's rich, and your ma is good looking
So hush little baby, don't you cry.
For more information on the play, go online to Wikipedia. There is a huge range of information available on the website about this song and the play.
