Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  

Torch Song

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1977 Schroder Music Company, renewed 2005.

If I'm going to carry a hopeless love,
It will be for Al Pacino
For Izzy Stone or Yves Montand,
Why should I waste it on you?

If I'm going to spend my life dreaming
It will be about Jane Fonda or Lily Tomlin,
Robert Redford or George Scott,
You it will be not.

If I'm going to reach for the stars,
I'm not going to settle for a neon sign,
I might as well eat out my heart
For something worth wasting my time on.

If I'm going to carry a flaming torch
For someone who's out of reach,
It's going to be someone I admire,
Some great spirit of fire.

Theodorakis or Anna Magnani,
Julian Bond or Melina Mercouri,
And if I'm going to be monumentally blue,
It won't be about you.

Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
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Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
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