Download Instrumental    I walked into a convenience store the other day and there was a young lady behind the counter with a tatoo around her neck. Upon closer investigation (I had to lean in), I realized it read “Que Sera Sera”.  That made me remember a song I hadn’t heard in years and I told her so.  Her reply was, “It’s a song?”  After assuring her that, indeed, it was a very nice song, she told me she also had a tatoo on her back and did I want to see it?  “Uh…. no, thank you – I’ll take your word for it.”  Sheesh!

Anyway, “Que Sera Sera” IS a song and quite a good one at that.  Some may consider it a bit “hokey” (me included), but it has a nice set of lyrics that tell a little story.  The entire life of the narrator is portrayed in just three verses – no, it’s not you’re born, you live, you die (well, maybe).  First there’s childhood – “When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, what will I be?”  Then there’s the young adulthood stage –  “When I was young I fell in love, I asked my sweetheart, what lies ahead?”  Finally, parenthood – “Now I have children of my own, they ask their mother, what will I be?”  Of course the answer to all three questions is  – “whatever”.  That’s my convenience store clerk’s interpretation.  Rather blunt, I think.

The translation is actually a much sweeter “whatever will be, will be” and is of French origin, or Italian, depending on how it’s spelled.  Doris Day introduced the song in the film The Man Who Knew Too Much in 1956, and also used it as the theme song for her TV series.  It’s a wholesome tune – innocent and not of this time, but sometimes a little nostalgia does us all some good.  Try it onstage, but choose your audience carefully – not everyone will like this one. I used an Italian accordion for the lead because I thought it fit the style of the song and I happen to like everything Italian.  You, of course, will sing it – beautifully, I hope.  Arriverderci…