Artificial Flowers (by Bobby Darin)
Posted: Tuesday, March 25, 2008
by David Tanguay
In May of 1961, Bobby Darin release an album titled "The Story of Bobby Darin" in this album he sings a song written by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick titled "Artificial Flowers"
This song alone wasn't all that popular however it shows the character of Bobby Darin. Singing about a little girl by the name of Anne who lost her parents at only nine years old and worked at making artificial flowers to earn money…
Alone in the world was poor little Anne
As sweet a young child as you'd find.
Her parents had gone to their final reward
Leavin' their baby behind.
((Did you hear?)
This poor little child was only nine years of age
when mother and dad went away;
Still brav-el-y worked
At the one thing she knew
to earn her few pennies a day.
She made artificial flowers, artificial flowers,
Flowers for ladies of fashion to wear;
She made artificial flowers, you know those artificial flowers,
Fashions from Annie's despair.
With paper and shears, with some wire and wax
She made up each tulip and mum.
As snowflakes drifted into her tenement room
Her baby, little fingers grew numb.
From makin' artificial flowers, those artificial flowers
Flowers for ladies of high fashion to wear.
She made artificial flowers, artificial flowers
Made from Annie's despair.
They found little Annie all covered in ice
Still clutchin' her poor frozen shears
Amidst all the blossoms she had fashioned by hand
And watered with all her young tears.
There must be a heaven where little Annie can play
In heavenly gardens and bowers.
And instea-a-ad of a halo she'll wear 'round her head
A garland of genuine flowers.
Bobby Darin
No more artificial flowers;
Throw away those artificial flowers,
Flowers for ladies of society to wear.
Throw away those artificial flowers,
Those dumb-dumb flowers,
Fashioned from Annie's,
Fashioned from A-a-a-Annie's
Des-pa-a-a-air.
(Give her the real thing!
Hi David, I'd never heard (or read) this song before. It's a very poignant piece that pulls at the heart string. Great imagery, albeit sad. Thanks for sharing this with us! Regards, Ben.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you Ben, yes listening to this song I can imagine little Anne toiling at this job.Please log in to respond to this comment.
What I've always thought about this song is the arrangement (cheery, up-tempo) is completely opposite of the lyrics. The first couple of times I heard it, I didn't pay attention to the words and found it to be an 'uplifting' song simply based on its arrangement. Then I paid attention to the lyrics ... very strange arrangement!Please log in to respond to this comment.I understand what you're saying, it does have a good beat to it.Please log in to respond to this comment.