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Over The Rainbow
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true
Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?
My pleasure.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Over the Rainbow" is a popular song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg). It was written to showcase Judy Garland's talents in the star vehicle movie The Wizard of Oz, and it became her signature song. She would forever be called upon to sing it in all her public appearances.[citation needed]
The song's plaintive melody and simple lyrics depict a pre-adolescent girl's desire to escape from the "hopeless jumble" of this world, from the sadness of raindrops to the bright new world "over the rainbow." It expresses the childlike faith that a door will magically be opened to a place where "troubles melt like lemon-drops".
The song tops the "Songs of the Century" list compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts. It also topped the American Film Institute's "100 Years, 100 Songs" list.
Along with Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", the song was adopted by the American troops in Europe in World War II as a symbol of the United States, the faraway land that, after long years of war, seemed like a dream beyond the rainbow. Modern listeners may be unaware that the song had an introductory stanza, as this was not sung in the film by Garland.
The song has come to epitomize the gesture of the rising octave, which makes its opening so distinctive. Sight-singing instructors and other musicians use the song as an example and a reference point for hearing the interval.
The Wizard of Oz
A time-honored story tells that this classic song was nearly cut from the film, because the song slows the pace of the film. Most of the music in the film is medium-to-high energy, in contrast to this gently paced melody. However, the frequent instrumental references to the song throughout the film, including its title sequences, meant that any such consideration must have been short-lived. The song was, in any case, a favorite of the film's associate producer, Arthur Freed.
Part of the song was cut from the film. An additional verse was to play when Dorothy was locked in a room in the witch's castle, helplessly awaiting death as the witch's hourglass ran out. A rehearsal recording of the song survives and was included in the Deluxe CD set. In that rendition, Dorothy weeps her way through it, unable to finish, concluding with a tear-filled, "I'm frightened, Auntie Em; I'm frightened!"
That phrase was retained in the film, followed immediately by Auntie Em's appearance in the witch's crystal, and then replaced by the image of the witch, mocking and taunting Dorothy and then turning toward the camera and laughing hideously, directly at the audience.
Garland's tearful rendition of this extra verse was reportedly deemed so heart-rending that it was edited from the film, in order to spare young viewers from its powerful emotions, especially given the startling scene that immediately followed it.
Lyrics
The song is often referred to as Somewhere Over The Rainbow, however the actual title of the song is simply, Over The Rainbow. The intro was never used in the movie, nor was there ever intentions of using it in the movie. The intro is used more often for theatrical productions of The Wizard of Oz. However contemporary singers often use the intro to lengthen the single for their album. Verse two was intended to be used when Dorothy was locked in the witch’s castle. However that decision was never followed through, and Dorothy simply re-sang the main verse. The only time verse two has been used was during the recording of The Wizard of Oz In Concert, where it was performed by singer/songwriter Jewel. The second verse is used occasionally in theatrical productions also, and is the most unknown verse of the entire song.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_rainbow