Speak Low
Mary Martin & Kenny Baker Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Speak low when you speak,
Our summer day withers away too soon, too soon
Speak low when you speak, love
Our moment is swift, like ships adrift, we're swept apart, too soon
Speak low, darling, speak low
Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon
I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is near, tomorrow is here and always too soon
Time is so old and love so brief

Love is pure gold and time a thief
We're late, darling, we're late
The curtain descends, ev'rything ends too soon, too soon
I wait, darling, I wait
Will you speak low to me, and love and soon

Speak low when you speak,
Our summer day withers away too soon, too soon
Speak low when you speak, love
Our moment is swift, like ships adrift, we're swept apart, too soon
Speak low, darling, speak low
Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon
I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is near, tomorrow is here and always too soon
Time is so old and love so brief
Love is pure gold and time a thief
We're late, darling, we're late
The curtain descends, ev'rything ends too soon, too soon

I wait, darling, I wait
Will you speak low to me, and love and soon

Overall Meaning

The song "Speak Low" by Mary Martin Kenny Baker speaks about the fleeting nature of love and time. The lyrics implore the listener to speak low when they speak about love, as the moment is swift, and endings come too soon. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels the constant presence of tomorrow and the inevitability of endings. The tone is melancholic, and there is a sense of urgency to the request to speak low and love soon.

The lyrics highlight the theme of the fleeting nature of love and life. The phrases, "our summer day withers away too soon," and "our moment is swift, like ships adrift" convey how moments of happiness are quick to pass. The song juxtaposes the concept of time and love, with time seen as old and love as pure gold, but time is the thief. The lyrics illustrate how time can steal precious moments and love, and everything ends too soon. The singer waits for their beloved to speak low and love soon, but the curtains descend, and everything ends too soon.

Line by Line Meaning

Speak low when you speak,
Don't speak too loudly or the moment will pass too quickly. Our time together is fleeting.

Our summer day withers away too soon, too soon
Our time together is short, like a summer day that passes quickly.

Speak low when you speak, love
Keep your voice soft and gentle, like our love for each other.

Our moment is swift, like ships adrift, we're swept apart, too soon
We are like ships on the ocean that drift away from each other too quickly.

Speak low, darling, speak low
Quiet whispers of love are all we need to express our feelings.

Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon
Love is a bright flame that disappears quickly in the darkness of time.

I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is near, tomorrow is here and always too soon
No matter where I am, tomorrow always comes too quickly.

Time is so old and love so brief
Time is long and love is short in comparison.

Love is pure gold and time a thief
Love is precious, but time steals it away too quickly.

We're late, darling, we're late
We are running out of time to be together.

The curtain descends, ev'rything ends too soon, too soon
Life is like a play and it ends too quickly.

I wait, darling, I wait
I am waiting for you to speak softly and express your love.

Will you speak low to me, and love and soon
Can we speak softly and love each other before time runs out?

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kurt Weill, Ogden Nash

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS

No Related Genres

More Genres

No Artists Found

More Artists Load All

No Albums Found

More Albums Load All

No Tracks Found

Genre not found

Artist not found

Album not found

Search results not found

Song not found

Most interesting comments from YouTube:

varadero1839

Hi RAFfc!
So good to hear from you! Wish I'd seen this show since I'm a big-time Mary Martin fan. I hope these 2 that follow will work. Neither are videos, and only the 1st one comes from "One Touch..."
The second one is also Ms. M, but I've read the show was a flop; rare for a Mary Martin show! Either way this song is a winner. Hope you like, and hope they work! My best wishes accompany this message!

http://jdm364.net/Videos/FoolishHeart.mp3

http://jdm364.net/Videos/MountainHighValleyLow.mp3

varadero

Luis Rodríguez Imaz

Habla bajo cuando hables, amor
Speak low when you speak, love

Nuestro día de verano se marchita demasiado pronto, demasiado pronto
Our summer day withers away too soon, too soon

Habla bajo cuando hables, amor
Speak low when you speak, love

Nuestro momento es rápido, como barcos a la deriva, somos barridos demasiado pronto
Our moment is swift, like ships adrift, we´re swept apart, too soon

Habla bajo, cariño, habla bajo
Speak low, darling, speak low

El amor es una chispa, perdido en la oscuridad demasiado pronto, demasiado pronto
Love is a spark, lost in the dark too soon, too soon

Siento donde quiera que vaya que mañana es
I feel wherever I go that tomorrow is

Cerca, el mañana está aquí y siempre es demasiado pronto
Near, tomorrow is here and always too soon
El tiempo es tan viejo y el amor tan breve
Time is so old and love so brief

El amor es oro puro y el tiempo un ladrón
Love is pure gold and time a thief

Llegamos tarde, cariño, llegamos tarde
We´re late, darling, we´re late

El telón desciende, todo termina demasiado pronto, demasiado pronto
The curtain descends, everything ends too soon, too soon

Espero, cariño, espero
I wait, darling, I wait
Me hablarás en voz baja, me hablarás de amor y pronto
Will you speak low to me, speak love to me and soon

Fuente: LyricFind
Autores de la canción: Kurt Weill / Ogden Nash
Letra de Speak Low © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

All comments from YouTube:

Al Biondi

4y↑7

kenny was so unique, when you heard him you knew from the very first note who was singing. thats so important to an artist. he had a beautiful gift of a voice, a joy to listen to. thanks kenny

TheRAFfc

13y↑1

My Heart Beats so fast when i hear Mary sing she was an angel I will never forget even now as i listen at 85 years of age Time goes back when I was very young and at war she lifted my spirits as i flew I had a picture of her flying may Heaven let her still fly God bles You Mary Martin

unkadoe

12y

Thanks for the chance to hear the song as originally performed (to bite sized bits), and to float away on the duet harmonies from Mr. Baker. It really is a dance of seduction, not a flat-out ballad. And the gallery of Mary pix is another delight.

kerryincolumbus

12y↑2

Hollywood's two most under-rated singers, Mary Martin and Kenny Baker, what a blend !

Bronxboy47

11y↑1

A gem from a legendary era of Broadway musicals.

Richard Lee

Mary Martin at her most vocally sublime in this number. Nobody ever sang it better.

varadero1839

Your comment is so welcome! Also, wish I'd seen this show! Old as I am, even that would be impossible! I loved both Mary Martin and Kenny Baker. At 9 years of age I marveled at watching her fly over much of the theater in "Peter Pan!" I saw her "twice!" Still feel blessed! Thanks so much for writing.
varadero

lemorab1

7y↑7

Thanks for posting this! I saw Mary Martin in "Peter Pan" at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in October, 1954, when I was six years old. It remains the most thrilling live stage show I've ever seen, in only the way that a six year old can be enchanted when her favorite story comes to life. Cyril Ritchard was Captain Hook, Margalo Gilmore was Mrs. Darling, Kathy Nolan was Wendy, and Mary's daughter, Heller, was Liza the maid. No, this musical hasn't aged well, but never mind that. When Mary came down to the edge of that stage and asked us to clap if we believed in fairies and save Tinkerbell's life, to say there was pandemonium in the audience would be an understatement. I dashed backstage to get her autograph, but Richard Halliday barred the way: "Sorry kids, she's got another show to do tonight and she needs to rest." What a jerk! Cyril Ritchard, however, chatted with us while removing his makeup. You'd never know that having his dressing room overrun with young children wasn't his favorite thing in the world. Years later, on a TV talk show, he said meeting all the kids was one of the highlights of his career. Mary's Peter Pan costume is on display at the Museum of the City of New York in Manhattan.

9aspengold5 brown

14y

One of the most phenominal performers of all time. I just adore Mary Martin. Thank you for posting this.

Hyramess

11y↑3

Mary Martin, who was in her heyday when I was still a child, was known for being bright, upbeat, sparkling, funny and enlivening, but I realized she was much more than that. Though definitely a comic genius she also projectec also a wistful tenderness and rare sensitivity that could break your heart. Who could miss this in the way she sang "Once Upon A Time and Long Ago" as Peter Pan, or the opening of The Sound of Music? And she did Born Yesterday on TV. Her Billie Dawn was deeply affecting.

David Marohl

Nice rendition of a beautiful song. I have been a Kurt Weill junkie for many years and this is my favorite of his songs. I practice it regularly on both flute and piano, but I'm no Mary Martin or even Kenny Baker. The older I get the more poignant it seems and, as James Thurber noted, the rose lipped girls of my youth are as dreams. The curtain descends and everything ends and always too soon.

That girl!

9y↑10

Heard this haunting melody as a very young child -- the movie, "One Touch of Venus" with Ava Gardner. Even at a young age -- around seven years of age, the melodic song touched something inside me that remained forever - thank you for posting Mary Martin at her best!

varadero1839

9y↑3

amalfi348 I'm so glad that you liked this! There's no questioning the powers that be chose Ava for the role. At the time she was the newest Hollywood goddess! Her beauty was astonishing. Years later I heard that Ms. Martin had originated this show on Broadway. I don't think I have enough fingers to count all her B'way triumphs! I saw her 2x live in "Peter Pan," and she was superb. I think it was during the second time I saw her that she either sprained or broke her wrist while she was flying. Some jerk of a stage-hand hadn't placed the "asbestos" padding on the wall correctly, and she smashed into said wall full-force. She immediately flew back across the stage with an odd look on her face. She was in pain, but she finished the show. Talk about "the show must go on!" That's a portrait of a real trooper! Wonderful to hear from you, and thanks!
varadero

RMPsumma

9y↑1

+varadero1839 As I recall from my reading, she smashed into the wall during a rehearsal when the person handling the flying rig was so engrossed with her flying and her singing and the story itself, that he lost concentration for a second or two and Bam! Fortunately Miss Martin had turned just in time to avoid a head on collision, thus avoiding possibly worse damage. When she returned (the next day, I believe), the crew had hung a sign on that wall, so when she flew toward it again, she read, "Mary Martin Slapped Here."

Jerome Litton

ditto; identical memory and feeling.

varadero1839

First, I apologize for reading this 1 year after your comment! Think I may have committed a Kellyanne Conway number here and presented alternative facts! I was 9 years old when I saw this at, I think, The Winter Garden in Manhattan. Still, your story makes more sense than mine! Way things are now I've got a lot more yesterdays than I have tomorrows, so I'm OK with lapses like these.
Thanks again, and best wishes,
varadero

That girl!

varadero1839 , like you, my yesterdays far outnumber my tomorrows, but those "yesterdays" are overflowing with indelible memories of a simpler and a happier time; those cherished life experiences will sustain me through all of my tomorrows.

1 More Replies...

William Guerriero

14y

Arguably the prettiest recording of the prettiest song ever written...and an Ogden Nash lyric, to boot.

RMPsumma

9y↑7

My beloved Mary Martin. Losing her was like losing a dear and treasured friend. I saw her live twice. Nothing like it. She (and many others) represent what once was but is no more, having given way to the coarse, the crappy, and the clever over the truly talented.

varadero1839

9y↑3

RMPsumma Your message is a breath of fresh air! Mary Martin was the all-time class act! Wish I'd seen her in so many other of her Broadway triumphs! We've one thing in common; I also saw her 2x! I watched her fly as "Peter Pan" twice during her run in the show, and will never forget her! It's discouraging to note that so few could even come close to her superb performance, without a microphone strapped to their heads! Thanks so very much for writing!
Best wishes,
varadero

varadero1839

12y

I think all 3 songs may be reminiscent of a time in our lives when we still had big hopes for our futures, and many of the melodies, even then, brought us to tears. I only hope that whatever you may have wished for, and continue to desire may come true! Thanks so much for your message! I'm grateful to hear from you.

Leslie T

11y↑1

Mary Martin is great. But the version of this song that really sends me, is Jane Morgan's version. WOW !!! If you're a fan of this song, check it out.

Juliane Jones

12y

You have no idea what this "Haunting Song" does to me,it's like the "Theme from a Summer Place",and "Clair de Loon". they bring on the tears whenever I play them.

varadero1839

12y

@kerryincolumbus Great to hear from you! I wish they'd done more together; their voices were both unique, and they made an amazing pair! Thanks again!

dianavictoria Aljadeff

8y↑5

I agree this song was composed for Mary Martin s voice so the singer who dubbed Ava Gardner in the film sound like Mary who should have made the film with Baker who had made many films .

copernicus633

A song of the fleeting time we have, the brevity of our existence. We may or, may not, find real love. We so often realize how late it is, too many times when it is too late.

varadero1839

14y

@sealman546 Thank you sealman546! What a tribute! Can't loose with MM, KB and Ogden Nash! Also, nothing here would have been possible without the brilliant Kurt Weill! So happy to hear from you!

Perry Weiner

6y↑1

I think they do a very good job, and onstage it must have been glorious. But the song has sophisticated overtones that can best be captured by a dusky voice, and wonderful Mary Martin has a bright voice, albeit with lovely diction. Kurt Weill, a wonderful German-Jewish composer wrote this, with Ogden Nash, more renowned as a comic poet, writing the classy, haunting lyric. Weill composed Dreigroschenoper, better known here as the "Threepenny Opera," and a lesser known but perhaps greater "Mahagonny,' a more operatic venture rarely played by the Met Opera. When Weill came here as a refugee and took to writing very successful musicals. "September Song" is also by Weill.

Moreno Donato

There are many, many versions of this great song by many other stars. Still, Mary Martin's rendition remains the best. Not too much, not too little.

RWP108

13y

I'll never forget seeing her in Peter Pan as a boy. I never wanted to grow up and I wanted to fly. Funnily enough, years later after learning Transcendental Meditation, I heard that Mary too was a TMer.

tuxguys

8y↑2

It's hard to believe that the same composer that wrote the music to this masterpiece, Kurt Weill, also wrote the all-too-often badly-performed "Mack the Knife."

varadero1839

8y↑1

Hi tuxguys,
He was such a genius! Think I'm preaching to the choir here, but when you have time, please go to kwf.org. It says so much more than I can! I'm really glad you wrote, and the song you chose will always be one of my favorites. It's especially fine since it's from the OBC! Best wishes,
varadero

tuxguys

8y↑1

varadero1839
What a nice response, thank you!

Eisen J Eisen

6y↑2

Thank you for this upload Mary Martin was a beautiful woman and a beautiful voice! and today what you hear is very heartbreaking to what you had!

varadero1839

11y↑2

Hi bronxboy47! Thanks so much for your comment. I wish I'd heard or seen this one live! It probably took me another decade or more to see Mary Martin fly over the audience in Peter Pan. She amazed me! I lived in "The Bronx," for about 3.5 years, and really felt at home. I'm honored to hear from you, and I send my best regards.

varadero1839

14y

@9aspengold5 There was very little Mary could not do! Wish I'd seen this amazing show, but made up for it 2x by seeing her flying 30-40' above the stage and audience, singing in a harness as the very best "Peter Pan!" There's not room anywhere to recount all her Broadway conquests. My friend, thanks so much for having noticed and commented!

TheRAFfc

7y↑1

I WAS SERVING MY KING AND COUNTRY WHEN I FIRST HEARD MARY AND KENNY SING THIS . THANK YOU FOR A MEMORY SO LONG, LONG AGO :):):)

varadero1839

TheRAFfc

THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING TO MY COMMENTS . WE ALL FLOP AT SOME TIME, I FLOP ALL THE TIME NOW, IN AN ARMCHAIR, THAT IS. :) TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS. :):):)

Whitney Ryan Garrity

A rare time when Mary sang a duet. Only much later with Robert Preston in I Do! I Do!

varadero1839

12y

@unkadoe Thanks so much for the double compliment! I saw Ms. Martin 2x on stage, but much later in her career. Watching the 2 of these legends live would have been too much!

varadero1839

14y

@hechtNmacarthur Wonderful to hear from you! Glad you liked the amazing Mary, and wish I'd seen her in this show! Thanks so much!

TheRAFfc

12y

Hello again thanks for sharing, the tune is haunting makes one feel so melancholy

Luis Rodríguez Imaz

varadero1839

3y↑1

Thank you for your wonderful translation to Spanish! I’m very grateful to you.

Luis Rodríguez Imaz

@varadero1839
You are very kind. Thank you very much. Greetings

JamesStuart Brice

It is a beautiful performance, reminds me of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. I think the singing style would be different in Broadway musicals today, I am not sure how, but different. This sounds to me more like an operetta than a musical.

varadero1839

Thank you Mr. Brice! They were both such amazing performers, and probably two who could really put over this unique production. With music by Kurt Weill, and lyrics by Ogden Nash their amazing voices just kind of clinched the deal! Best wishes!
varadero

varadero1839

13y

@klaralarick32 Thank you very much for your generous remark! This haunting rendition is one of my favorites!

9aspengold5 brown

14y

@varadero1839 mary Martin was great in the Broadway hit Sound of Music (my favorite version). Mary also made some appearances with Ethel Merman which was fun. Just say enough of such a wonderful person.

varadero1839

13y

@TheRAFfc Your message really made my day! I agree that Ms. Martin was an angel! I was too young to see her "wash that man" right out of her hair, but saw her fly 2x in "Peter Pan!" I was only 9 at the time, but will never forget it! I'm so grateful to hear from you. Please send me another message for more MM information. I'm honored that you wrote!

Perry Weiner

Check out the 12-tone harmonizing. Oh Kurt, you dog you!

TheRAFfc

THANKS, I REMEMBER BEING ON LEAVE IN LONDON, DURING AN AIR RAID AND SEEING THIS FILM, LOVED HER, WITH A PASSION!! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SWEET MEMORY. :):):)

varadero1839

+TheRAFfc Hello friend,
You're so welcome! Sometimes memories can be confounding, but this one obviously stuck with you! Grateful to hear from you.
Best regards,
varadero

TheRAFfc

6y↑7

THANK YOU MY HEART ACHES I DO REMEMBER MARY HERE IN LONDON OH SO LONG ' LONG AGO I AM SO OLD NOW AND I FEEL SO ALONE WITH OUT ALL OF MY FRIENDS AND ALL OF THE GREAT PEOPLE NO LONGER HERE , THAT I KNEW AND NOW LONG FOR OH SO LONG AGO WHY AM I STILL HERE TO LAMENT THEM AND SO LONG TO SEE AND HEAR THEM AGAIN.

Jerry Flynn

4y↑1

Just read ur comment love, I hope ur still alive and kicking 💯 chin up up love ❤️

varadero1839

11y↑1

Thanks so much for your comment. I first saw Ms. Martin in "Peter Pan," and remember the lullaby "....And Long Ago." I recall buying some of the LPs, especially "Sound of Music." Wondering where I could see her in Born Yesterday? Plan to look here on YT. I don't know if it's still there but some years back I went to the Museum of Broadcasting in Manhattan. They had so many great shows on tape! Again, glad to hear from you.

Len Giuliani

Mary had many great moments and deserved successes onstage and in films with Crosby. Her rendition of My Heart Belongs To Daddy is an all-timer! In my opinion, though, her performance in Born Yesterday ranks nowhere near that of Judy Holliday (Whaaat? and Maybe I should take this pencil and put a circle around you.) in that role.

Perry Weiner

@Len Giuliani Yes, Judy Holliday was a wonder. Mary Martin had a different talent. But of course, Judy H died so young, she might well have diversified greatly!

Obdúlio Rincón

7y↑1

..i agree with "amalfi348"saying: A hauting melody..
..unforgetable, although the orchestra could be more present..

varadero1839

7y↑1

Thank you so much for your comment! I'm very grateful. Just sayin,' the only other name that even comes close to yours in mystery and glamour is that of the infamous playboy, Porfirio Rubirosa! Sorry the orchestra was not so present. This post is from the OBC of this show.
Thanks again, and consider copyrighting your name....soon!
varadero

charles wrightman

Pictures of Kenny Baker can be found at imdb.com

varadero1839

12y

@TheRAFfc Please, your feeling melancholy was never my intention! Sometimes I hear or see something from my past, get that "sad" feeling, then try and turn it into a happy memory! It doesn't always work, but please know that you're in good company! Best regards.

rottencat240

13y

1:08 - I WANT THAT DRESS.

Lilly Lucas

8y↑1

great voice but for me not the right voice for this song....

varadero1839

8y↑1

Hi Lilly Lucas,Lilly, are you referring to Mary Martin or Kenny Baker? I ask only because these two heard here are singing from the Original Broadway Cast recording, having opened in 1943 and closing some 567 performances later. Please let me know, OK?Best wishes,varadero