Francis Burritt Thorne, Jr. was born in Bay Shore, New York. His father was a ragtime pianist and his grandfather, Gustav Cobbe, author of The Complete Opera Book, was a musical critic, particularly of the Wagnerian canon. Thorne was a student of Paul Hindemith at Yale University, before entering the U.S. Navy in 1942 where he served during World War II. After the war, he pursued a career on Wall Street and later, as a jazz pianist, after Duke Ellington heard him play the piano, and arranged an engagement for him at a New York jazz club.
From 1959-61, he studied composition in Florence, Italy with David Diamond, who encouraged Thorne to incorporate his jazz sensitivities into his symphonic compositions. In December 1961, Thorne's first opera, Fortuna, premiered in New York City. In 1964 Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra premiered his Elegy for Orchestra. In 1968, he was inducted into the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. He spent much of his career championing the works of emerging composers. He served as director of the Walter W. Naumburg Foundation and the Thorne Music Foundation from 1965–1974, organizations which commission new works by young composers. In 1977, he founded the American Composers Orchestra with Dennis Russell Davies. The orchestra focuses on performing new compositions by American composers.
Francis Thorne married Ann Chauncey Cobb on December 9, 1942. Thorne died at Geer Nursing and Rehab in Canaan, Connecticut on March 7, 2017, aged 94. He was survived by his three daughters, four grandsons, five great-grandchildren, and a brother.
Many of his more than 100 compositions are characterized by a distinct jazz flavor. He was also one of the first classical composers to write for the electric guitar and electric bass guitar (Sonar plexus, 1968; Liebesrock, 1968–69). A discussion of his works appears in R. Tomaro: Contemporary Compositional Techniques for the Electric Guitar in United States Concert Music. The Francis Thorne Papers (1956–2004) are held by the New York Public Library.
Awards
1995 Rome Prize
Isn't This A Lovely Day
Francis Thorne Lyrics
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The thunder and lightning
Seem to be having their way.
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day.
The turn in the weather
Will keep us together
So I can honestly say,
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in the rain.
You were going on your way, now you've got to remain.
Just as you were going, leaving me all at sea,
The clouds broke, they broke and oh what a break for me.
I can see the sun up high, though we're caught in a storm.
I can see where you and I could be cozy and warm.
Let the rain pitter patter
But it really doesn't matter
If the skies are gray.
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day.
The lyrics of Isn't This A Lovely Day by Francis Thorne portrays a situation where the weather seems to be frightening with the sounds and impact of thunder and lightning being hardly bearable. However, the singer sees the good in the situation, believing that the turn in the weather will keep them together, and as far as he is concerned, it's a lovely day. He dismisses the weather elements' impact, stating it doesn't matter as long as he can be with his lover.
The singer believes that the heavy rain had prevented his lover from leaving him alone, and as such, he sees the rain as a positive element as it brings them together. They could be cozy and warm within the confines of their relationship. The pitter-patter of the rain is inconsequential as long as he can be with his partner.
The song's interpretation could point to how people in relationships see the positive aspects of a situation despite the difficulties that come with it. The rain symbolizes the difficulties in a relationship or what could lead to the end of the relationship, but the positivity and love of the partners could imply that the rain will work in their favor, drawing them closer.
Line by Line Meaning
The weather is frightening.
The current weather condition is fearful.
The thunder and lightning
The occurrence of thunder and lightning.
Seem to be having their way.
The force of nature is dominating the weather.
But as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day.
Despite the harsh weather, the day is still beautiful to me.
The turn in the weather
The change in the weather.
Will keep us together
The weather will prevent us from departing each other.
So I can honestly say,
Thus, I can confidently say,
That as far as I'm concerned, it's a lovely day
From my point of view, this is still a wonderful day.
And everything's okay.
Everything is alright.
Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in the rain.
The day is so lovely it's enjoyable to be in the rain.
You were going on your way, now you've got to remain.
Initially, you had plans to leave, but the rain forced you to stay.
Just as you were going, leaving me all at sea,
As you were leaving, I was feeling lost and uncertain.
The clouds broke, they broke and oh what a break for me.
Suddenly, the clouds dispersed which was a lucky break for me.
I can see the sun up high, though we're caught in a storm.
Despite the storm, the sun can still be seen shining brightly.
I can see where you and I could be cozy and warm.
I can envision a future where we are comfortable and content.
Let the rain pitter patter
Let the rain make a soft, gentle sound.
But it really doesn't matter
But it's truly insignificant.
If the skies are gray.
Even when the sky is dull and lifeless.
Long as I can be with you, it's a lovely day.
As long as I'm with you, the day remains beautiful.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind