From 'Pins and Needles'

 Sing Me A Song With Social Significance

I'm tired of moon-songs of star and of June songs,

They simply make me nap

And ditties romantic drive me nearly frantic

I think they're all full of pap

History's making, nations are quaking

Why sing of stars above

For while we are waiting father time's creating

New things to be singing of

Sing me a song with social significance

All other tunes are taboo

I want a ditty with heat in it,

Appealing with feeling and meat in it!

Sing me a song with social significance

Or you can sing 'til you're blue

Let meaning shine from ev'ry line

Or I won't love you

Sing me of wars and sing me of breadlines

Tell me of front page news

Sing me of strikes and last minute headlines

Dress your observation in syncopation!

Sing me a song with social significance

There's nothing else that will do

It must get hot with what is what

Or I won't love you.

I want a song that's satirical

And putting the mere into miracle

It must be packed with social fact

or I won't love you

Sing me of kings and conf'rences martial

Tell me of mills and mines

Sing me of courts that aren't impartial

What's to be done with 'em tell me in rhythm

Sing me a song with social significance

there's nothing else that will do

It must be tense with common sense

or I won't love you.

Music: Harold Rome

Lyrics: Harold Rome

Book: various

Premiere: Saturday, November 27, 1937