Hello, Young Lovers
Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein II Music By Richard Rodgers
When Anna shares a photo of her late husband Tom with Lady Thiang and the royal wives, they find it hard to believe there is a world where one man and one woman can connect for all time. In response, Anna recalls her time with Tom, the love of her life.
Uncharacteristically, Oscar Hammerstein II took a long time to write the lyrics to “Hello, Young Lovers.” In a letter to John Van Druten, the show’s director, Hammerstein admitted to having been “stuck” on it for about a month before moving on to other songs.
When he finally finished the miniature masterpiece, Joshua Logan called it “the single greatest dramatic song I have ever heard in my life, and probably ever will.”
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"Hello, Young Lovers" Lyrics
When I think of Tom
I think about a night
When the earth smelled of summer
And the sky was streaked with white
And the soft mist of England
Was sleeping on a hill,
I remember this
And I always will.
There are new lovers now on the same silent hill,
Looking on the same blue sea,
And I know Tom and I are a part of them all,
And they're all a part of Tom and me.
Hello young lovers,
Whoever you are,
I hope your troubles are few.
All my good wishes go with you tonight,
I've been in love like you.
Be brave, young lovers,
And follow your star,
Be brave and faithful and true.
Cling very close to each other tonight,
I've been in love like you.
I know how it feels
To have wings on your heels
And to fly down a street in a trance.
You fly down a street
On the chance that you'll meet,
And you meet not really by chance.
Don't cry, young lovers,
Whatever you do,
Don't cry because I'm alone.
All of my memories are happy tonight,
I've had a love of my own.
I've had a love of my own,
Like yours,
I've had a love of my own.
“Hello, Young Lovers” (Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II)
© 1951, Copyright Renewed, Williamson Music Company (ASCAP) c/o Concord Music Publishing.
All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.