Porgy and Bess synopsis
The citizens of the Cat?sh Row neighborhood are relaxing in the Charleston heat. Clara comforts her baby with a lullaby while a group of men throw dice. Crown, a hot-headed drug addict, joins the game of craps. In a drunken ?t of passion, Crown kills another gambler, then ?ees the scene, leaving his lover Bess behind. As the crowd waits for the police, only Porgy, a disabled beggar, is kind to Bess.
A month later, Porgy and Bess have found happiness together. Bess refuses dope from the drug dealer Sportin’ Life, who invites her to go to New York with him; Porgy chases Sportin’ Life away from Bess. Bess and the community enjoy a church picnic on nearby Kittiwah Island; Porgy stays behind in Cat?sh Row. When it is time to catch the steamboat home from Kittiwah, Bess is cornered by Crown, who has been hiding on the island since the murder. Crown wants Bess to come away with him, but Bess explains that she’s with Porgy now. Crown won’t take no for an answer.
A week has passed; a storm is on the horizon. Bess has been feverish since her return from Kittiwah Island. Bess tells Porgy that she can’t refuse Crown if he comes for her; Porgy tells Bess that he will protect her. The next day, the residents of Cat?sh Row gather to pray for safety from the oncoming hurricane. There is a knock at the door: Crown has come to claim Bess. The group watches a boat capsize and Crown rushes out to try to save a drowning man.
The following evening, the women mourn for those lost in the storm. They assume Crown is among the dead, but that night he sneaks back to steal Bess away. Porgy kills Crown and is taken to jail. Sportin’ Life takes advantage of Porgy’s absence and tempts Bess into taking dope. A week later, Porgy returns from jail to ?nd that Bess has gone to New York with Sportin’ Life. Undaunted, Porgy sets out in search of Bess.
Last Update:October, 24th 2023
Porgy and Bess Lyrics
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Introduction and Jasbo Brown Blues Lyrics
- Summertime
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Oh, Nobody Knows When de Lord Is Gonna Call Lyrics
- A Woman is a Sometime Thing
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Here Come de Honey Man; Porgy's Entrance Lyrics
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Here Comes Big Boy! Lyrics
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Oh Little Stars, Little Stars Lyrics
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Wake Up an' Hit It Out Lyrics
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Gone, Gone, Gone Lyrics
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Overflow Lyrics
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Well, Well, Well, a Saucer-Burying-Setup Lyrics
- My Man's Gone Now
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How de Saucer Stan' Now, My Sister? Lyrics
- Leavin' for the Promise' Lan' Lyrics
- It Takes a Long Pull to Get There
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Mus' Be You Mens Forgot About de Picnic Lyrics
- I Got Plenty o' Nuttin
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Lissen There, What I Tells You Lyrics
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I Hates Yo' Struttin' Style Lyrics
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Mornin' Lawyer Lyrics
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Dey's a Buckra Comin' Lyrics
- Buzzard Keep on Flying
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Lo, Bess, Goin' to the Picnic? Lyrics
- Bess, You Is My Woman
- Oh, I Can't Sit Down
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What's de Matter Wid You, Sister? Lyrics
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I Ain't Got No Shame Lyrics
- It Ain't Necessarily So
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Dance; Shame on All You Sinners Lyrics
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Crown! Lyrics
- What you want wid Bess
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Lemme Go, Hear dat Boat Lyrics
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Honey, dat's All de Breakfast I Got Time for Lyrics
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Take Yo' Hands off Me, I Say Lyrics
- Oh, Doctor Jesus
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Strawberry Woman; Honey Man; Crab Man Lyrics
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Now de Time, Oh, Gawd Lyrics
- I Love You, Porgy
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Why You Been Out on That Wharf So Long, Clara? Lyrics
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Oh, Doctor Jesus (Hurricane Scene)/Summertime (Reprise) Lyrics
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What Make You So Still, Bess; Oh, Dere's Somebody Knockin' Lyrics
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You Is a Nice Parcel of Christians Lyrics
- A Red-Headed Woman
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Jack's Boat Is de River Lyrics
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Clara, Clara Lyrics
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You Low-Lived Skunk Lyrics
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Summertime (Reprise) ; Death of Crown Lyrics
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Wait For Us at the Corner, Al Lyrics
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What Is Your Name? Lyrics
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Oh, Gawd! They Goin' Make Him Look on Crown's Face! Lyrics
- There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York
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Catfish Row Interlude Lyrics
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Good Mornin', sistuh! Good Mornin', brudder! Lyrics
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It's Porgy Comin' Home Lyrics
- Oh, Bess, Oh, Where's My Bess
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Bess Is Gone Lyrics
- O Lawd, I'm On My Way