This song beautifully expresses a message that’s always important, but feels even more so now: each of us can do something to make the world a better place. Even writing musicals

The Zellnik brothers - Joseph and David - are best known as the composer and lyricist/librettist (respectively) of Yank! which premiered Off-Broadway in 2010, and has since had award-winning regional runs across the US – in Chicago, San Diego, Columbus, Louisville and more – and around the world – with productions in Manchester, London and Rio de Janeiro (in Portuguese!). An Original Cast Album is available from PS Classics. Other works include City of Dreams, and the upcoming Roof of the World.

This song was written for a TheatreWorks USA musical for kids, 'First in Flight', about the Wright brothers. This was a number for their mom, in which she – knowing she doesn't have much longer to live – gives her sons her most prized possession: her toolbox. Along with some motherly advice (cue ballad).

Unfortunately… well, I’ll let Joe tell you about the fate of the song: “Ballads and children are not a good fit, and the moment the song started (hell, about 3 seconds into the intro) the audience of 8-10 year-olds started squirming and fidgeting and vocally expressing their displeasure. While we didn't actually lose the song entirely, we cut it down to just the first part, and the actress playing the mom performed it as fast as humanly possible (it lasted about 45 seconds).” 

This is the demo of the song as originally conceived, performed by the brilliant Nancy Anderson (and recently outfitted with a new digital orchestration). 

All you singers - sheet music is here.

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