A Man Has Dreams

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"A Man Has Dreams" is a song from Walt Disney's film Mary Poppins, and it is composed by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. The song combines the leit motif of the character "George Banks" with lyrics that express his despair. The song is performed as a conversation between Bert, the chiminey sweep (Dick Van Dyke) and George Banks (David Tomlinson). It is operatic in nature, sung dialogue, and was highly unusual for a musical film of that era.

The melody first appears as George Banks marches into the front door of his home. At that point in the film, the song is bouncy in nature to reflect Banks' triumphant spirit. The song is then titled, "The Life I Lead". It is then reprised several more times throughout the motion picture. The final reprise is sung when Banks thinks he has lost everything. The music is now more somber and is retitled, "A Man Has Dreams".

[edit] Trivia

The lyrics of the song begin:

“

A Man Has Dreams of walking with giants — To carve his niche in the edifice of time....

”

According to Disney archival records, the song was originally titled "Mr. Banks and Bert Converse" but the title was changed to its present one, prior to first print publication of sheet music. "A Man Has Dreams" are the first four words of the song; they are not repeated even once after that.