Respectfully Yours, Dudley Malone Lyrics

Song Facts:

• Genre: Musical Theatre


• Lyricist: Shaina Taub


• Composers: Shaina Taub


• Musical: "Suffs"


• Year: 2024

The Evolution of a Song

"Respectfully Yours, Dudley Malone" is one of the few songs that remained largely unchanged throughout its development, except for minor tweaks. The songwriter wanted Dudley to have a distinct musical language, characterized by the absence of rhymes and a discernible musical structure, capturing the essence of him speaking in draft form.

Using a combination of real quotes from Dudley's letter and imagined thoughts, the songwriter crafted a piece that feels both authentic and personal. A notable line from Dudley's letter, “I hereby resign, to take effect at once—or at your earliest convenience,” stood out for its character-revealing nature. It highlighted Dudley's blend of boldness and considerate demeanor.

The song requires precise conducting, expertly handled by maestra Andrea Grody. Tsilala Brock's performance, from her audition to every night on stage, has been exceptional. The songwriter also experimented with musical "buttons"—the bumps at the end of songs—opting to hold tension throughout Act II until a significant release after "Fire & Tea." However, the cast album includes a warm, final chord for Dudley and Tsilala, providing a satisfying conclusion for listeners.

Annotations and Meaning of Respectfully Yours, Dudley Malone:

The track Respectfully Yours, Dudley Malone from the musical "Suffs" is a poignant and powerful statement of support for the women's suffrage movement by Dudley Field Malone, a prominent political figure. The song takes the form of an open letter addressed to President Woodrow Wilson, expressing Malone’s resignation and his reasons for supporting women's right to vote.

Dear Mr. President,
I address you today in an open letter in the Washington Post.
For seven years I have served you with the most humble affection and unshadowed devotion,
So it is no small sacrifice for me now to sever our political relationship.

Malone begins by acknowledging his loyalty and service to President Wilson, emphasizing the gravity of his decision to resign. The public nature of the letter, published in a major newspaper, underscores his commitment to making a bold and visible statement.

But I think it is high time that men of this generation, at some cost to ourselves,
Stood up in support of the women of the country.

Malone calls on his peers to support the women's suffrage movement, recognizing that this support might come at a personal and political cost. His words highlight the necessity of male allies in the fight for equality.

For if men had been peacefully demanding our right to vote for over half a century,
If men had been repeatedly ignored or met with evasion by Congress as have the women,
You, Mr. President, as a lover of liberty,
Would be the first to understand and forgive their natural impatience.
And righteous indignation, I took a vow to defend the Constitution,

Malone draws a parallel between the women’s suffrage movement and a hypothetical situation where men are denied the right to vote. By appealing to President Wilson's principles and love of liberty, he argues that the President should empathize with the suffragists' frustration and righteous indignation.

And I may not be a great man, but I am a man who upholds his vows,
So I hereby resign to take effect at once, or at your earliest convenience.

He humbly acknowledges his own limitations but underscores his integrity and commitment to his principles. By resigning, he chooses to act in accordance with his values rather than maintain his political position.

I'd also like to make known my esteem for the woman,
For the women who opened my eyes to this inequality,
Respectfully yours,
Deadly Malone.

Malone credits the suffragists for enlightening him about the deep-rooted inequalities faced by women. His resignation letter ends with a respectful acknowledgment of their influence on his perspective.

Overall, Respectfully Yours, Dudley Malone serves as a powerful testament to the importance of male allies in the suffrage movement. Malone's public resignation highlights the moral imperative for men to support women's rights and acknowledges the profound impact that the suffragists have had on him personally.