George Gershwin at the Piano
It was 1931 and Ira and George Gershwin were working on “Of thee I sing” right at the outset of The Great Depression. The musical is parody of American politics which is equally as applicable today as it was then. Now read the lyrics to “Who Cares?” which discusses the power of love in overcoming the economic woes of the time.
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Who Cares (George and Ira Gershwin)
Let it rain and thunder,
Let a million firms go under.
I am not concerned with
Stocks and bonds that Ive been burned with!I love you and you love me
And that’s how it will always be
And nothing else can ever mean a thingWho cares what the public chatters
Loves the only thing that mattersWho cares if the sky cares to fall in the sea
Who cares what banks fail in Yonkers
Long as you’ve got a kiss that conquers?Why should I care?
Life is one long jubilee,
So long as I care for you
And you care for me!Who cares how history rates me
As long as your kiss intoxicates me?Why should I care?
Life is one long jubilee,
So long as I care for you
And you care for me!
Note how applicable the lyrics are today as they were then. I’m not sure this proves that history is cyclical as much as is shows that US Financial Policy is. However, to borrow from another great songwriter, love, one of the fundamental things, will always apply as time goes by.
