There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax
There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game) Sheet Music Preview

There Once Was a Man (from The Pajama Game): Choral SoundPax

From the Musical The Pajama Game

Words and music by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross / arr. Andy Beck

Item: 00-PK-0001307
Digital Download
$45.00

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Description
It's a Broadway-style hoe-down when you sing this raucous arrangement from Adler and Ross' hit musical The Pajama Game. The men and women of your choir will enjoy this battle of the sexes in an attempt to prove who loves the other more by citing famous literary characters, clapping hands, stomping feet, and singing their hearts out. Perform with the optional SoundPax or SoundTrax CD.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 38
SKU: 00-PK-0001307
Instrumentation: SoundPax

More about this title

About the Composer: Richard Adler

Richard Adler composed the music for The Pajama Game alongside Jerry Ross, creating one of Broadway's most enduring comedies when it premiered in 1954. His gift for writing accessible melodies that serve comedy without sacrificing musicality made him a standout voice in mid-century musical theater. Adler's work continues to appear in school and community choirs because his arrangements respect singers' abilities while delivering genuine entertainment.

Beyond The Pajama Game, Adler composed Damn Yankees and contributed to numerous other theatrical productions. His songs remain standards in both professional and educational settings, valued for their singability and their capacity to engage audiences of all ages.

Why we love this

Andy Beck's arrangement captures the playful antagonism between the men and women in this number without overshadowing the song's melodic charm. The physical comedy built into the vocal parts (hand claps, foot stomps) energizes singers and gives them permission to have fun on stage, which singers at this level need and deserve. Programming this guarantees audience laughter and genuine ensemble connection.

What to expect

A joyful clash of wits set to music, full of sass and swagger. Men and women trade affectionate insults through song, bolstered by hand claps and stomping that transform the singers into percussionists. The energy is infectious; this number leaves audiences grinning and singers energized.

Who it's for

Choirs looking for a Broadway showstopper with built-in audience appeal and genuine ensemble fun. This works for mixed choirs in schools, churches, and community settings where singers want a piece that lets them celebrate their voices while embracing comedy and theatrical energy.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish clear, crisp hand claps and foot stomps in rehearsal before layering the vocal lines; these rhythmic elements anchor the battle-of-the-sexes dynamic and must land together for full comic effect.
  • Divide the men's and women's sections strategically during rehearsals so each group builds confidence in their material before staging the competitive interplay.
  • Balance the recorded accompaniment volume so it supports without drowning the singers; this allows the clapping and stomping to register clearly in performance.
  • Work the literary references (which famous characters are cited in your arrangement) into a brief program note or spoken introduction so the audience catches the wit.

How to use it

Use this as a pops concert opener or closer to set a celebratory tone, or slot it into a Broadway-themed concert where it can anchor a block of musical theater favorites. The theatrical stakes and physical staging make it a natural centerpiece for a spring concert or end-of-year celebration.

Skills your students will build

  • Rhythmic precision in clapping and stomping while maintaining vocal accuracy
  • Singing in two-part or multi-part harmony with clear sectional identity
  • Comic timing and theatrical confidence in a competitive staging context
  • Balancing humor and musicality without sacrificing either
  • Blend and intonation while executing physical choreography simultaneously

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