Upon coming back to live in New York City, he went to work as a producer for RCA Records, but shortly thereafter began to work in the Broadway theatre. His first major credit was the title song for the play Butterflies Are Free; the song was eventually used in the movie version as well.
In 1971, he wrote the music and new lyrics for Godspell, for which he won several awards including two Grammys. This was followed by the English texts, in collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, for Bernstein's Mass, which opened the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
The following year, he wrote the music and lyrics for Pippin and two years later, The Magic Show. Next were the music and lyrics for The Baker's Wife, which closed before reaching Broadway after a disastrous out-of-town tryout tour in 1976. However, the cast album went on to attain cult status, leading to several subsequent productions, including a London revival directed by Trevor Nunn in 1988.
Mr. Schwartz's next Broadway project was a musical version of Studs Terkel's Working, which he adapted and directed, winning the Drama Desk Award as best director, and contributed four songs to the score. He also co-directed the television production, which was presented as part of the PBS "American Playhouse" series.
Next came songs for a one-act musical for children, The Trip, and a children's book, The Perfect Peach. He then wrote music for three of the songs of an Off-Broadway revue, Personals, and lyrics to Charles Strouse's music for Rags.
In 1991, Mr. Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the popular Children of Eden, book by John Caird. He then began working in film, collaborating with composer Alan Menken on the scores for the Disney animated features Pocahontas, for which he received two Academy Awards, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He also provided songs for DreamWorks' first animated feature, The Prince of Egypt, for which he won another Academy Award for the song When You Believe. Mr. Schwartz provided music and lyrics for the original television musical, Geppetto, seen on The Wonderful World of Disney.
In 2003, Schwartz returned to Broadway in earnest, as composer and lyricist for Wicked, a musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which uses L. Frank Baum's Oz characters as a base for a tale of two witches. Schwartz won a Grammy Award for his work as composer/lyricist and producer of Wicked's cast recording.
Ironically, Schwartz has won every major award in his field (3 Oscars, 4 Grammys, 3 Drama Desk Awards and a self-described "tiny handful of tennis trophies") except the Tony Award, which his scores have been nominated for numerous times but have never won.
Day By Day
Stephen Schwartz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day by day,
Day by day,
Oh, dear Lord, three things I pray.
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.
Day by day,
Day by day,
Oh, dear Lord, three things I pray.
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.
(All)
Day by day,
Day by day,
Oh, dear Lord, three things I pray.
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.
(repeats)
Day by day,
Day by day,
Day by day,
Day by day,
Day by day,
Day by day,
Day by day. (etc)
The lyrics of Stephen Schwartz's song Day by Day are a uplifting and hopeful prayer to God. The repetition of the phrase "day by day" reinforces the idea of a daily spiritual journey that requires daily renewal and reinforcement. The prayer is simple and straightforward, asking for three things: to see God more clearly, to love Him more dearly, and to follow Him more nearly. This suggests that the singer is seeking a deeper connection with God and a more committed spiritual life.
The first part of the prayer, "to see thee more clearly," implies a desire for greater understanding and insight into God's nature, teachings, and actions. The second part, "to love thee more dearly," implies a desire for a deeper emotional connection with God, a love that transcends intellectual understanding. Finally, the third part, "to follow thee more nearly," suggests a desire for greater imitation of God's example, to live a life that is more like God's ideal.
The repetition of the prayer serves to reinforce the message that spiritual growth and connection with God require constant effort and attention. The song is meant to encourage listeners to renew their commitment to God on a daily basis and to strive for a deeper relationship with Him.
Line by Line Meaning
Day by day,
Everyday, without fail,
Oh, dear Lord, three things I pray.
Oh God, I beg of you for three things,
To see thee more clearly,
To have a clearer understanding of you,
Love thee more dearly,
To love you more deeply,
Follow thee more nearly,
To follow you more closely and faithfully,
Day by day.
Everyday, without fail.
Contributed by Gianna P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.