" I Had Myself A True Love" Poignant aria from St. Louis Woman. Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer wrote a wonderful score for St. Louis Woman which depicted the characters and lively culture of African Americans . It was based on a play set in turn-of-the century St. Louis. Alec Wilder, song scholar and critic that this was " A long song and very nearly an aria but so beautifully made and under such adroit control that it never gets out of hand as ambitious, highly emotional songs often do."
The song requires a singer of the capacity of a Broadway diva like Audra McDonald to mater the complexity and vocal demands of this unique song aria.
