DULCINEA from Man of la Mancha
lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh
I have dreamed thee too long,
Never seen thee or touched thee.
But known thee with all of my heart.
Half a prayer, half a song,
Thou hast always been with me,
Though we have been always apart.
Dulcinea... Dulcinea...
I see heaven when I see thee, Dulcinea,
And thy name is like a prayer
An angel whispers...
Dulcinea... Dulcinea!
If I reach out to thee,
Do not tremble and shrink
From the touch of my hand on thy hair.
Let my fingers but see
Thou art warm and alive,
And no phantom to fade in the air.
Dulcinea... Dulcinea...
I have sought thee, sung thee, dreamed thee
Dulcinea!
Now I've found thee,
And the world shall know thy glory,
Dulcinea... Dulcinea!
...coda: Dear Prudence (Lenon/McCartney)
Song Notes: My wife Suzanne requests I play this song more than any other. I have played it in many different ways for her. What I tried to bring to this version is the sense of passion, especially in the 3rd stanza. Those single forté notes represent the barely restrained intensity that absolute belief in someone births.
I can barely sing it in this key anymore, as my breath and vocal strength ebbs. I hope it brings to the song a happy desperation.
Using Dear Prudence as a coda is my way of having the song end on a sweet, quiet note (as opposed to the sense of tragedy that it might otherwise imply). I hope you agree. I also wonder what it would be like to meet the love of one's life as a child - even though deep love makes it seem we've known each other forever.
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