Poor Baby - Stephen Sondheim

Poor Baby

Stephen Sondheim

00:00

02:54

Song Introduction

"Poor Baby" is a song written by Stephen Sondheim for the acclaimed musical **Follies**. Premiering on Broadway in 1971, the song is performed by the character Carlotta Campion, a former showgirl reflecting on her past and the passage of time. Through its poignant lyrics and memorable melody, "Poor Baby" captures the themes of nostalgia and lost dreams that are central to the musical. **Follies** is celebrated for its intricate compositions and deep emotional resonance, with "Poor Baby" standing out as a highlight that showcases Sondheim's masterful storytelling and character development.

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Lyric

Darling--

Yes?

Robert.

What?

I worry.

Why?

He's all alone.

There's no one--

Where?

In his life.

Oh.

Robert ought to have a woman.

Poor baby, all alone,

Evening after evening by the telephone.

We're the only tenderness he's ever known.

Poor baby!

David--

Yes?

Robert.

What?

I worry.

Why?

It's such a waste.

There's no one--

Where?

In his life.

Oh.

Robert ought to have a woman.

Poor baby, sitting there,

Staring at the walls and playing solitaire,

Making conversation with the empty air.

Poor baby!

Robert...

Bobby...

Robert, angel...

Bobby, honey...

You know,

No one

Wants you to be happy

More than I do,

No one,

But isn't she a little bit, well,

You know,

Face it,

Why her?

Better,

No one--

...wants you to be happy

More than I do,

No one,

But--

SARAH & JENNY:

Isn't she a little bit, well,

You know,

Face it--

You know, no one

Wants you to be happy

More than I do--

AMY & JOANNE:

You know, no one

Wants you to be happy

More than I do,

No one,

But--

Isn't she a little bit, well--

Dumb?

Tacky?

Vulgar?

Old?

Tall?

Aggressive?

Where is she from?

Neurotic?

Peculiar?

And cheap?

She seems so dead.

She's tall enough to be your mother.

And gross?

Depressing?

She's very weird.

And immature?

Goliath!

Poor baby, all alone,

Throw a lonely dog a bone, it's still a bone.

We're the only tenderness he's ever known.

Poor baby!

- It's already the end -