Songs of the Swinging Thirties

Speranza

Songs of the Swinging Thirties


1930
Johnny Marvin


where is the song I had in my heart
that harmonized with the pines
anyone can see
what's troublin' me
CRYIN’ FOR THE CAROLINES
where is the brook that kisses the lane
covered with glory vines
anyone can see
what's troublin' me
I'm CRYIN’ FOR THE CAROLINES



How can I smile mile after mile,
There's not a bit of green here.
Birdies all stay far far away,
They're seldom ever seen here.
where is the gal that I used to meet
down where the pale moon shines
anyone can see
what's troublin' me
I'm CRYIN’ FOR THE CAROLINES.


Big town you lured me,
Big town you cured me,
Tho' others hate to say goodbye to you
I'm leavin' but I'll never sigh for you.
Big town you robbed me of ev'ry joy I knew.

Small town you've sold me,
Small town you'll hold me,
You said that I'd have nothing but regret,
I've cried the blues to ev'ry one I've met,
Small town you gave me all that I'll ever get.



1930
Bennee Russel. The song without a name.











1930
Recorded by Chester Gaylord and by Rudy Vallee.


I’m CONFESSIN’ that I love you
tell me, do you love me too
I’m CONFESSIN’ that I need you
Honest I do -- need you every moment
in your eyes I read such strange things
but your lips deny they’re true
will your answer really change things
making me blue.



I’m afraid someday you’ll leave me,
say’n can’t we still be friends?
if you go, you know you’ll grieve me,
all in life on you depends . . .


am I guessin’ that you love me
dreamin’ dreams of you in vain
I’m CONFESSIN’ that I love you
over again.




1930
Vivian Ellis – Carter.
After the rain the wind is blowing
It’s the wind in the willows sadly they sigh
It’s the wind in the willows, saying goodbye






1930
Noel Coward. Cavalcade, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Londra.





all my life I have been waiting
dreaming ages thru
until today I suddenly discover
the form & face of she who is
my lover


no more fear or hesitating
love has sent me you
time & tide will never sever
those whom love
has bound for ever
dear LOVER OF MY DREAMS
come tru



1930


my heart is sad & lonely
for you it sighs for you dear only
why haven't you seen it
I’m all for you
BODY & SOUL


I spend my days in longin'
& wond’ring why
it's me you're wronging
I tell you I mean it
I’m all for you
BODY & SOUL







I can't believe it
it's hard to conceive it
that you turn away romance



are you pretending
it looks like the ending
unless I could have one more chance
to prove dear




my life a wreck you're making
you know I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender myself to you
BODY & SOUL.


1931
Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons. First performed by Belle Baker over the radio.


ALL OF ME
why not take all of me
can't you see
I'm no good without you
take my lips
I want to lose them
take my arms
I'll never use them
your goodbye

left me with eyes that cry

how can I

go on dear without you

you took the part

that once was my heart

so why not take

ALL OF ME





1931


WHERE THE BLUE OF THE NIGHT
MEETS THE GOLD OF THE DAY
someone waits for me
& the gold of her hair
crowns the blue of her eyes
like a halo tenderly



if only I could see her
oh how happy I would be





1931
w.m. Herman Hupfeld



you must remember this
a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh
the fundamental things apply
AS TIME GOES BY
& when two lovers woo
they still say I love you
on that you can rely
no matter what the future brings
AS TIME GOES BY


moonlight & love songs never out of date.
hearts full of passion jealousy and hate.
woman needs man & man must have his mate
that no one can deny.
it's still the same old story
a fight for love and glory
a case of do or die.
the world will always welcome lovers
AS TIME GOES BY


This day and age we're living in
Gives cause for apprehension
With speed and new invention
And things like fourth dimension
Yet we get a trifle weary
With Mr. Einstein's theory.
So we must get down to earth at times
Relax relieve the tension
And no matter what the progress
Or what may yet be proved
The simple facts of life are such
They cannot be removed



1931
w. Billy Rose & Mort Dixon m. Harry Warren (Salvatore Antonio Guaragna, b. Brooklyn, New York).


it was a lucky April shower
it was a most convenient dorm
I FOUND A MILLION DOLLAR BABY
IN A FIVE & TEN CENT STORE.
the rain continued for an hour
I hang around for three to four
around a million dollar baby
in a five & ten cent store



she was selling china & when she made those eyes
I kept buying china until the crop got wise incidentally
if you should run into a shower
just step inside my cottage door
& meet the million dollar baby
from the five & ten cent store
I


1931


I DON’T KNOW WHY
I LOVE YOU LIKE I DO
I don’t know why
I JUST DO
I don’t know why
you thrill me like you do
I don’t know why
you just do


you never seem to want my romancing
the only time you hold me
is when we’re dancing

1931
Hey folks here's the story 'bout Minnie the Moocher
she was a red-hot hoocie coocher
she was the roughest toughest rail
but Minnie had a heart as big as a whale


she messed around with a bloke named Smokie
she loved him though he was cokey
he took her down to Chinatown
and showed her how to kick the gong around

she had a dream about the king of Sweden
he gave her things that she was needin'
he gave her a home built of gold and steel
a diamond car with platinum wheels

he gave her his townhouse and his racing horses
each meal she ate was a dozen courses
had a million dollars worth of nickels and dimes
she sat around and counted them all a million times










1931


LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES
don’t make it serious,
life’s too mysterious
you work, you save, you worry so
but you can’t take the dough
when you go
So keep repeating it’s the berries
The strongest oak must fall
The best things in life to you were just loaned
So tell me how can you lose
What you never owned
LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES
So live and laugh at it all.





People are queer, they’re always crowing
Bothering about
Why don’t they take this way
Why are we here, where are we going
It’s time that we find out, we’re not here to stay
We’re on a great holiday.



1931

Got a date with an angel got to meet her at seven
Got a date with an angel and I’m on my way to heaven
She’s so lovely beside me and whatever betide me
Got an angel to guide me and I’m on my way to heaven.
Soon the gates will swing out
When she beckons to me
I’ll be waiting a lifetime
For this evening at seven
Got a date with an angel and I’m on my way to heaven.




1931


I'M THRU WITH LOVE
I'll never fall again.
I said adieu to love
don't ever call again.
for I must have you or no one
& so I'M THRU WITH LOVE
I've locked my heart
I'll keep my feelings there.
I have stocked my heart
with icy frigid air
& I mean to care for no one
because I'M THRU WITH LOVE



why did you lead me
to think you could care
you didn't need me
for you had your share
of slaves around you to hound you & swear
with deep emotion & devotion to you.
goodbye to spring
& all it meant to me
it can never bring
the thing that used to be
for I must have you or no one
& so I'M THRU WITH LOVE.


I have given you my true love,
But you love a new love.
What am I supposed to do now
With you now, you're through?
You'll be on your merry way
And there's only this to say:



1932
With me little ukelele in me hand,
Of course the people do not understand.
Some say, "Why don't you be a scout? Why don't you read a book"?
But I gets much more pleasure when I'm playing with me uke.
Of course, I take no notice you can tell.
For mother's sound advice will always stand.
She sais, "My boy, do what I say,
"And you'll never go astray,
"If you keep your ukelele in your hand - yes son,
"If you keep your ukelele in your hand".

1932
Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart, “Love me tonight: a musical comedy”.




LOVER
when I'm near you
& I hear you speak my name
softly in my ear you breathe a flame
LOVER
when we're dancing
keep on glancing in my eyes
till love's own entrancing music dies



all of my future is in you
your every plan I design
promise you'll always continue
to be mine
LOVER
please be tender
when your tender fears depart
LOVER
I surrender to my heart




1932
Noel Coward
Blues twentieth century blues they’re getting me down.












1932
Dorsey and his orchestra


never thought I’d fall
but when I hear you call
I’M GETTING SENTIMENTAL OVER YOU
things you say & do
just thrill me thru & thru
I’M GETTING SENTIMENTAL OVER YOU.



I tho’t I was happy I could live without love
now I must admit love is all I'm thinking of.
won't you please be kind
& just make up your mind
that you'll be sweet & gente
be gentle with me
cause
I’M GETTING SENTIMENTAL OVER YOU.

1932
Jerome Kern-Hammerstein, “Music in the Air: a musical comedy”-- sung by Tullio Carminati



I hear music when I look at you
a beautiful theme of ev'ry
dream I ever knew
down deep in my heart
I hear it play
I feel it start
then melt away.
I hear music when I touch your hand
a beautiful melody
from some enchanted land
down deep in my heart, I hear it say,
is this the day
I alone have heard this lovely strain
I alone have heard this glad refrain
must it be forever inside of me
why can't I let it go
why can't I let you know
why can't I let you know the song
my heart would sing
that beautiful rhapsody
of love & youth & spring
the music is sweet
the words are true –
THE SONG IS YOU



1932
Noel Coward.“Family reunion: a play”

HEARTS & FLOWERS
dreamy hours
Under skies of blue
You were white camellias in your hair
All I did was look and stare
Have we faltered
When discloses
The perfume of the roses
HEARTS & FLOWERS and you.

1932
Noel Coward. “Operette”, His Majesty’s Theatre, London.



THE STATELY HOMES OF ENGLAND
how beautiful they stand
to prove the upper classes
have still the upper hand.
tho’ the fact that they have to be rebuilt
and often mortaged to the hilt
is inclined to take
off the gingerbread
& certainly takes the fun
of the eldest son

but still we won’t be beaten
We’ll scrimp and screw and save
the playing fields of Eton
have made us frightfully brave
And if the van Dyks has to go
And we pawn the Steinway grand
we’ll stand
by
THE STATELY HOMES OF ENGLAND









1932
Noel Gay. “Hold my hand”, Londra. West End show. Dueto Jessie Matthews/Sonnie Hale.


HOLD MY HAND no matter what the weather
just you HOLD MY HAND we’ll walk thru life together
for you’ll find in me that kind of a friend
who will see you thru to the end
so if you’ll HOLD MY HAND we both shall walk more steady
for understand you hold my heart already
In that dreamland where I have planned
That I shall HOLD MY HAND forever.
You need a lot to looking after










1932
Noel Coward
Mad dogs and Englishmen
Go out in the midday sun.







1932
Cole Porter, “The gay divorcee: a musical comedy”, introduced by Fred Astaire.
NIGHT & DAY you are the one
only you beneath the moon & under the sun
whether near to me or far
it's no matter, darling, where you are
I think of you NIGHT & DAY
day & night why is it so
that this longing for you follows wherever I go
in the roaring traffics boom
in the silence of my lonely room
I think of you NIGHT & DAY
NIGHT & DAY under the hide of me
there's a oh such hungry yearning burning inside of me
& its torment won't be thru
'til you let me spend my life making love to you
day & night NIGHT & DAY
Like the beat beat, beat of the tom tom
When the jungle shadows fall
Like the tick tick tock of the stately clock
As it's standing against the wall
Like the drip, drip, drip of the rain drops
When the summer shower is through
So a voice within me
Keeps repeating you, you, you.
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/tony_bennett/night_and_day.html

1932
w. Al Dubin m. Harry Warren (A. S. Guaragna)



every kiss every hug
seems to act Just like a drug
YOU’RE GETTING TO BE A HABIT WITH ME



let me stay in your arms
I'm addicted to your charms
YOU’RE GETTING TO BE A HABIT WITH ME




I used to think your love
was something I could take or leave alone
but now I couldn't do without my supply I need you for my own
O I can't break away
I must have you everyday
as regularly as coffee or tea
you've got me in your clutches & I cant break free
YOU’RE GETTING TO BE A HABIT WITH ME
1932
Joe Young, John Siras, “The crooner”.



it’s ONLY a shanty
in old shanty town
the roof is so slanty
it touches the ground
there’s a tumbledown shack
by the old railroad track
like a millonaire’s mansion
is calling me back
I’d give up a palace
if I were a king
it’s more than a palace
it’s my everything
there’s a queen waiting there
with a silvery crown
in a shanty
in old shanty town.






1932
Written and composed by the Western Brothers (Kenneth & George).

no wonder dad was angry
no wonder dad was wild
she never had no father
poor little orphan child

She was only a fisherman’s s daughter















1933
Armitage (“Noel Gay”).
I TOOK MY HARP TO A PARTY
but nobody asked me to play
the others were jolly & hearty
but I wasn't feeling so gay
they might have said, play us a tune we can sing I felt so ashamed at not striking a note
but somehow I don't think they noticed the thing that I tried to hide the thing under me coat
I TOOK MY HARP TO A PARTY
but nobody asked me to play
so I took the darned thing away.
Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming
Christmas is coming again.
But that never thrills me, the thought of it chills me
I tell you it fills me with pain.
It makes me remember a Christmas gone by,
When I was extremely upset
A night in December, an evening that I,
Would very much rather forget





They asked Mrs. Morgan to play her mouth-organ
And somebody else did a dance
They Let Mrs. Carter perform a sonata
But I wasn't given a chance.
Anorth country person called Sandy McPherson
Played bagpipes and took off his coat.
While both the Miss Fawcetts bust out of their corsets
In trying to take a top note.
They sang "Home Sweet Home" and "The Banks of Loch Lomond"
And "All the King's Horses" and "Trees"
While nephews and nieces kept playing their pieces
And spreading their jam on the keys.
A daughter called Lena, played her concertina
We all played ridiculous games,
'Til old Mr. Dwyer, set his whiskers on fire
And a fire engine played on the flames.



1933
Noel Coward
Half caste woman
Down along the river









1933

& when we meet, music starts
upon the strings of our hearts
& we don't keep to the song
for words are weak when love is strong
& when we kiss there's a sound
like violins all around
& then the moment when
we kiss again
our song becomes a thrilling
CONCERTO FOR TWO
for me & you

1933
R. Noble



LOVE IS THE SWEETEST THING
what else on earth could ever bring
such happiness to ev'rything
as love’s old story.
love is the strangest thing
no song of birds upon the wing
shall in our hearts more sweetly sing
than love’s old story.



whatever heart may desire
whatever fate may send
this is the tale that never will tire.
this is the song without end.
love is the greatest thing
the oldest yet, the latest thing
I only hope that fate may bring
love’s story to you.

1933
Can’t we meet again and let’s be sweethearts
can’t we meet again & let’s be friends
what’s the use of parting










1933
w. E. Y. Harburg & Billy Rose m. Harold Arlen



say IT’S ONLY A PAPER MOON
sailing over a cardboard sea
but it wouldn't be make-believe
if you believed in me
yes it's only a canvas sky
hanging over a muslin tree
but it wouldn't be make-believe
if you believed in me



without your love
it's a honky-tonk parade
without your love
it's a melody played in a penny arcade
it's a Barnum & Bailey world
just as phony as it can be
but it wouldn't be make-believe
if you believed in me



I never feel a thing is real
When I'm away from you
Out of your embrace
The world's a temporary parking place
Mmm, mm, mm, mm
A bubble for a minute
Mmm, mm, mm, mm
You smile, the bubble has a rainbow in it





1933
Noel Coward. “Words and music”.
Mad about the boy
I know it’s stupid to be mad about the boy




1933
Rodgers and Hart were contracted to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1933 and were soon commissioned to write the songs for “Hollywood Party”, that was to star many of the studio's top artists. One of their ideas was a scene in which Jean Harlow plays an innocent young girl singing her prayers ('Oh Lord, if you're not busy up there,/I ask for help with a prayer/So please don't give me the air . . .')." The song was not even recorded and MGM Song #225 "Prayer “Oh Lord, make me a movie star" was registered as an unpublished work in 1933. Hart wrote new lyrics to create a title song for the 1934 film Manhattan Melodrama "Act One: You gulp your coffee and run;/Into the subway you crowd./Don’t breathe, it isn’t allowed". The song, also titled "It's Just That Kind of Play", was cut from the film before release. The studio then asked for a nightclub number for the film. Rodgers still liked the melody so Hart wrote a third lyric, "The Bad in Every Man" ("Oh, Lord . . . /I could be good to a lover,/But then I always discover/The bad in ev’ry man"), sung by Shirley Ross. The song, which was also released as sheet music, was not a hit. After the film was released by MGM, Jack Robbins—the head of the studio's publishing company —decided that the tune was suited to commercial release but needed more romantic lyrics and a punchier title. Hart was initially reluctant to write yet another lyric but he was persuaded. The last line of this extra verse is "Life was a bitter cup for the saddest of all men."



BLUE MOON
you saw me standing alone
without a dream in my heart
without a love of my own
BLUE MOON
you knew just what I was there for
you heard me saying a pray'r for
someone I really could care for


& then there suddenly appeared before me
the only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
& when I looked, the moon had turned to gold!
BLUE MOON now I'm no longer alone
without a dream in my heart
without a love of my own



Once upon a time
Before I took up smiling
I hated the moonlight!
Shadows of the night
That poets find beguiling
Seemed flat as the moonlight
With no one to stay up for
I went to sleep at ten
Life was a bitter cup
For the saddest of all men
Once upon a time
My heart was just an organ
My life had no mission
Now that I have you
To be as rich as Morgan
Is my one ambition
Once I awoke at seven
Hating the morning light
Now I awake in Heaven
And all the world's all right



1933
w. Ted Koehler m. Harold Arlen


don't know why
there's no sun up in the sky
STORMY WEATHER
Since my man and I ain't together,
Keeps rainin' all the time



life is bare
gloom & mis'ry everywhere
STORMY WEATHER
just can't get my poorself together
I'm weary all the time
So weary all the time.



when he went away the blues walked in and met me
if he stays away old rockin' chair will get me.
all I do is pray the Lord above will let me walk in the sun once more
can't go on, ev'ry thing I had is gone
STORMY WEATHER
since my man & I ain't together
keeps rainin' all the time






1933
“Going Hollywood”, w: Arthur Freed, m: Nacio Herb Brown. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer



take me where the daisies cover the country lanes
WE’LL MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES
we'll make love when it rains
take me where the song birds thrill you with sweet refrains
WE’LL MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES
we'll make love when it rains.



from the hustle and the bustle of the city,
we'll become a pair of country folks;
in a little cottage sittin' pretty,
we'll be Mister and Missus Doakes.


I'm tired of all the hurry of modern city ways.
I'm tired of all the worry of those city days.
I'm thru with all the riot of glaring city lights:
Give me the gorgeous quiet of those country nights.



1933
w. Charles Newman m. Isham Jones. Featured by Dennies Potter, “Pennies from Heaven.”


YOU’VE GOT ME CRYING AGAIN
YOU’VE GOT ME CRYING AGAIN
what is this love all about
I'm in & then I'm out
your kisses right from the start
came from your lips not your heart
you made me happy & then
somebody new looks good to y
YOU’VE GOT ME CRYING AGAIN
just cryin for you.






1933
“Sitting pretty”




did you ever see a dream walking
well I did
did you ever hear a dream talking
well, I did
did you have a dream thrill you
with, will you be mine
Oh it's so grand & it's too, too divine




did you ever see a dream dancing
well I did.
did a ever see a dream romancing
well, I did
did you see heaven right in your arms
saying I love you, I do
well, the dream that was walking,
& the dream that was talking
the heaven in my arms
was you.















1933
Kern/Harbach, “Roberta”.




they asked me how I knew
my true love was true
oh I of course replied
something here inside
cannot be denied
they said someday you'll find
all who love are blind
oh when your heart's on fire
you must realize
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES



so I chaffed them & I gaily laughed
to think they could doubt my love
yet today my love has flown away
I am without my love
now laughing friends deride
tears I can not hide
oh, so I smile and say
when a lovely flame dies
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES.

















1934
James F. Hanley. It was introduced by Hal Le Roy and Eunice Healey in “Thumbs Up! A musical revue”, Broadway.



dear when you smiled at me
I heard a melody
it haunted me from the start
something inside of me
started a symphony
ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART
’twas like a breath of spring
I heard a robin sing
about a nest set apart
all nature seemed to be
in perfect harmony
ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART




Your eyes made skies seem blue again
What else could I do again
But keep repeating through and through
"I love you, love you
I still recall the thrill
I guess I always will
I hope 'twill never depart
Dear, with your lips to mine
a rhapsody divine
ZING WENT THE STRINGS OF MY HEART
Never could carry a tune, never knew where to start
You came along when everything was wrong and put a song in my heart






1934



little man you're cryin' I know why you're blue
someone took your kiddy-car away
you better go to sleep now
LITTLE MAN YOU’VE HAD A BUSY DAY
Johnny won your marbles tell you what we'll do
dad'll get you new ones right away
better go to sleep now
LITTLE MAN YOU’VE HAD A BUSY DAY





you've been playin' soldier the battle has been won
the enemy is out of sight
come along there soldier put away your gun
the war is over for tonight

time to stop your schemin', time your day was thru
can't you hear the bugle softly say
time you should be dreamin'
LITTLE MAN YOU’VE HAD A BUSY DAY
evenin' breezes sighin', moon is in the sky
little man it's time for bed
daddy's little hero is tired and wants to cry
now, come along and rest your weary head















1934
w. Leo Robin m. Ralph Rainger


can it be the trees that fill the breeze
with rare and magic perfume
oh no it isn't the trees it's
LOVE IN BLOOM
can it be the spring that seems to bring
the stars right into this room
oh no, it isn't the spring, it's
LOVE IN BLOOM





my heart was a desert you planted a seed
& this is the flower this hour of sweet fulfillment



Is it all a dream the joy supreme
that came to us in the gloom
you know it isn't a dream, it's
LOVE IN BLOOM.

Blue night and you, alone with me
My heart has never known such ecstasy
Am I on earth, am I in heaven?












1934
w. Eddie DeLange m. Will Hudson & Irving Mills


it must have been MOONGLOW
way up in the blue
it must have been MOONGLOW
that led me straight to you
I still hear you sayin'
dear one hold me fast
& I keep on prayin'
oh lord please let this last


we seemed to float right thru the air
heavenly songs seemed to come from everywhere
& now when there's MOONGLOW
way up in the blue
I'll always remember that
MOONGLOW gave me you













1934
w. Howard Dietz m. Arthur Schwartz, “Revenge with music”.
YOU & THE NIGHT & THE MUSIC
fill me with flaming desire
Setting my being completely on fire
YOU & THE NIGHT & THE MUSIC
thrill me but will we be one
after the night & the music are done
until the pale light of dawning & daylight
our hearts will be throbbing guitars
morning may come without warning
& take away the stars
if we must live for the moment
love till the moment is thru
after the night & the music die
will I have you








1934
"You Oughta Be In Pictures" w. Edward Heyman m. Dana Suesse







1934
By Maria Grever and Stanley Adams


Cuando vuelva a tu lado
No me niegues tus besos
Que el amor que te he dado
No podrás olvidar
No me preguntes nada
Que nada he de explicarte
Que el beso que negaste
Ya no lo puedes dar
Cuando vuelva a tu lado
Y estés sola conmigo
Las cosas que te digo
No repitas jamás, por compasión
Une tu labio al mío
Y estréchame en tus brazos
Y cuenta a los latidos
De nuestro corazón




WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE
twenty-four little hours
brought the sun & the flowers
where there used to be rain
my yesterday was blue dear
today I'm part of you dear
my lonely nights are thru dear
since you said you were mine
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE
there's a rainbow before me
skies above can't be stormy
since that moment of bliss
that thrilling kiss
it's heaven when you
find romance on your menu
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MADE
& the difference is yo




















1934
Dubin. Harry Warren (S. A. Guaragna), “Dames: a musical comedy”.



are the stars out tonight
I don't know if it's cloudy or bright 'cause
I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU dear
the moon may be high
but I can't see a thing in the sky 'cause
I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU



I don't know if we're in a garden
or on a crowded avenue

you are here so am I
maybe millions of people go by
but they all disappear from view and
I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU.










1934
Ray Noble



THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
& I forget to do
the little ordinary things
that everyone ought to do
I’m living in a kind of daydream
I’m happy as a king
& foolish tho’ it may seem
to me that’s everything





the mere idea of you
the longing here
for you
you’ll never know
how slow
the moments go
till I’m near
to you
I see your face in every flower
your eyes in stars above
it’s just the thought of you
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
my love










1934

Noel Coward. “Private Lives”
Some day I’ll find you
Moonlight behind you
True to the dream I’ve been dreaming.






















1935
Groucho Marx. A night at the opera.
Ridi pagliacci, I love you very much-ee











1935
Music: Jimmy McHugh, lyrics: Dorothy Fields, “Every night at Eight: a musical comedy”. Introduced by Frances Langford.


I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
simply because you’re near me
funny but when you’re near me
I'M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE
heaven is in your eyes
bright as the stars we’re under
oh is it any wonder
I’M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE


why stop to think of whether
this little dream might fade
let's put our hearts together
now we are one, I'm not afraid
if there’s a cloud above
if it should rain we'll let it
but for tonight forget it
I’M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE


1935
m: Fred E. Ahlert w: Joe Young – a song from the Harlem Renaissance featured in the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin'
I'M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOWN & WRITE MYSELF A LETTER
& make believe it came from you
I'm gonna write words oh so sweet
they're gonna knock me off my feet
kisses on the bottom
I'll be glad I've got 'em
I'm gonna smile & say I hope you're feelin' better
& sign with love the way you do
I’M GONNA SIT RIGHT DOWN & WRITE MYSELF A LETTER
& make believe it came from you




1935
Noel Coward, “Tonight at Eight Thirty”, London.



YOU WERE THERE
I saw you and my heart stopped beating
YOU WERE THERE
& in that first enchanted meeting
life changed its tune
the stars the moon
came near to me
dreams that I dreamed like magic seemed
to be clear to me dear to me
YOU WERE THERE
your eyes looked into mine & faltered
everywhere
the colour of the whole world altered
life changed its tune
my universe tumbled in two
the earth became heaven for
YOU WHERE THERE.



1935



MARCH WINDS & APRIL SHOWERS
make way for sweet May flowers
& then for June a moon & you
MARCH WINDS & APRIL SHOWERS
romance will soon be ours
& I'll go paradise for two



with your lips to mine in a thrill divine
I'll be so inspired
that I'll get you the Moon
for a toy baloon

MARCH WINDS & APRIL SHOWERS
make way for happy hours
then May time June time love time & you



1935
Armitage – Eyton.
I’m a simple melody maker














1935
Irving Berlin, “Top Hat: a musical comedy”, Introduced by Fred Astaire.


Heaven I'm in heaven
& my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
& I seem to find the happiness I seek
when we're out together dancing CHEEK TO CHEEK
Heaven I'm in heaven
& the cares that hung around me thru the week
seem to vanish like a gamblers’ lucky streak
when we're out together dancing CHEEK TO CHEEK





o I love to climb a mountain
& to reach the highest peak
but it doesn't thrill me half as much
as dancing CHEEK TO CHEEK
o I love to go out fishing
in a river, or a creek
but I don't enjoy it half amuch
as dancing CHEEK TO CHEEK



dance with me I want my arm about you
that charm about you will carry me thru to…

1935
Sam Coslow, “The clock strikes eight: a musical comedy”. Featured in Dennis Potter, “Pennies from Heaven”.



IN THE MIDDLE OF A KISS
suddenly it dawned on me
IN THE MIDDLE OF A KISS
I knew you were mine
in the middle of a sweet embrace
that you at first resented
remember how surprised we were
to find we really meant it
in the middle of a sigh
we stumbled into paradise
in the twinkle of an eye
we lost it again
for we didn't comprehend
that our dream of love would end
just the way it began
IN THE MIDDLE OF A KISS



1935
w. Jimmy Kennedy m. Will Grosz, “The Provincetown Follies”.
RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET way out on the sea
oh carry my loved one home safely to me
he sailed at the dawning, all day I've been blue
RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET I'm trusting in you
Swift wings you must borrow
Make straight for the shore
We marry tomorrow
And she goes sailing no more




'Twas down where fisher folk gather,
I wander'd far from the throng
I heard a fisher girl singing
And this refrain was her song:

Red sails, the night wind is blowing
And clouds are hiding the moon
Above no bright stars are glowing
It means the storm's coming soon.



1935
m. George Gershwin, w: DuBose Heyward, “Porgy and Bess”.

SUMMERTIME & the livin' is easy
fish are jumpin' & the cotton is high
your daddy's rich & your mamma's good lookin'
so hush little baby don't you cry
One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
And you'll take to the sky
But till that morning
There's a'nothing can harm you
With daddy and mamma standing by.



1935
Eric Maschwitz. Maschwitz wrote the song under his pen name, Holt Marvell, for Joan Carr for a late-evening revue, “Spread it abroad”, broadcast by the BBC.

A cigarette that bears some lipstick’s traces
An airline ticket to romantic places
And still my heart has wings
These foolish things remind me of you
A tinkling piano in the next apartment
Those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant
Those fairground’s painted swings
THESE FOOLISH THINGS remind me of you.



1935
Noel Coward, “Conversation Piece: a play with music”. Introduced by Yvonne Printemps.


I’LL FOLLOW MY SECRET HEART
my whole life thru
I’ll keep all my dreams apart
till one comes true
no matter what price is paid
what stars may fade above
I’LL FOLLOW MY SECRET HEART
till I find love.








1935
Flanagan/Allen, “A fire has been arranged”.


THEY’RE BUIDING FLATS WHERE THE ARCHES USED TO BE
there’s somebody eating
where we used to be sleeping
they’re paying rent where we used to live rent free
& there’s no one to say
here’s the dawn of a new day


side by side we looked with pride
at our old abode
now we wonder if we’ll have
to take the open road
we are so sad, just as sad as can be
THEY’RE BUILDING FLATS WHERE THE ARCHES USED TO BE.





1935
w. Arthur Freed m. Nacio Herb Brown, “Broadway melody”.
YOU ARE MY LUCKY STAR
I saw you from afar
two lovely eyes at me they were beamin' gleamin'
I was star-struck
you're all my lucky charms
I'm lucky in your arms
you've opened heaven's portal
here on earth for this poor mortal
you are my lucky star





In my imagination, I saw a star-lit sky so bright
In my imagination, there I saw you in the light
And then one day I found you, but I could not realize
My lucky star shining, right before my very eyes, oh

You are my lucky star
I saw you from afar
If God was a glamorous creature
You're a four-star feature
Though you are never seen
Up on some movie screen
You are my Schear, Crawford, Hepburn, Harlow, and my Garbo
You are my lucky star
You are my lucky star
You know I saw you, baby, from afar
Two lovely eyes, at me they were beamin', gleamin', you know
I was star-struck

Though you are never seen
Up on some movie screen
You've opened heaven's portal here on earth for this poor mortal



1936
Horatio Nicholls
LIFE BEGINS AT OXFORD CIRCUS
when the busy day is done
we don't care how much they work us
just as long as we have fun
off with your overalls & on with your best
just get your girfriend to be your guest
& come up west – ’cause
LIFE BEGINS AT OXFORD CIRCUS
when the busy day is done.

1936
Cole Porter. Introduced by Ethel Merman and Bob Hope in Red, Hot and Blue: a musical comedy


the night is young the skies are clear
so if you want to go walking dear,
it's delightful it's delicious
IT’S DE-LOVELY
I understand the reason why
you're sentimental ’cause so am I
it's delightful it's delicious
IT’S DE-LOVELY



you can tell at a glance
what a swell night this is for romance,
you can hear dear mother nature
murmuring low
let yourself go


so please be sweet my chickadee,
& when I kiss you just say to me,
it's delightful it's delicious,
it's delectable it's delirious,
it's dilemma it's delimit it's deluxe,
IT’S DE-LOVELY.




I feel a sudden urge to sing
The kind of ditty that invokes the spring.
I'll control my desire to curse
While you crucify the verse.
This verse I started seems to me
The Tin-Pantithesis of a melody,
So spare us all the pain,
Just skip the darn thing and sing the refrain...
Mi, mi, mi, mi,
Re, re, re, re,
Do, sol, mi, do, la, si.
The night is young, the skies are clear
So if you want to go walking, dear,
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely.
I understand the reason why
You're sentimental, 'cause so am I,
It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely.
You can tell at a glance
What a swell night this is for romance,
You can hear dear Mother Nature
Murmuring low,
"Let yourself go!"
So please be sweet, my chickadee,
And when I kiss you, just say to me,
"It's delightful, it's delicious,
It's...It's de-lovely".



1936
Cole Porter, “Born to dance: a musical comedy”, Introduced by Eleanor Powell.


I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
I've got you deep in the heart of me.
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me.
I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN


I'd tried so not to give in.
I said to myself this affair never will go so well.
but why should I try to resist when baby I know down well
I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN



I'd sacrifice anything come what might
for the sake of havin' you near
in spite of a warnin' voice that comes in the night
& repeats, repeats in my ear:
don't you know, you fool, you never can win
use your mentality, wake up to reality
but each time that I do just the thought of you
makes me stop before I begin
'cause I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN.

1936
Irving Berlin, “Follow the fleet: a musical comedy”, Introduced by Fred Astaire.


there may be trouble ahead
but while there's moonlight & music
& love & romance
LET’S FACE THE MUSIC & DANCE


before the fiddlers have fled
before they ask us to pay the bill
& while we still have the chance
LET’S FACE THE MUSIC & DANCE




soon
We'll be without the moon
Humming a diff'rent tune
And then

there may be teardrops to shed
so while there's moonlight & music
& love & romance
LET’S FACE THE MUSIC & DANCE.
1936
Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields, “Swing Time: a musical comedy”. Introduced by Fred Astaire.


some day when I'm awfully low
when the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
& THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
yes you're lovely with your smile so warm
& your cheeks so soft,
there is nothing for me but to love you
& THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT



with each word your tenderness grows,
tearing my fear apart
& that laugh that wrinkles your nose,
it touches my foolish heart.

lovely never ever change
keep that breathless charm
won't you please arrange it cause I love you
just THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT.




1936
Billy Hill. Rec. by Benny Goodman
You’ve got to give a little
Take a little
That’s the story of
That’s THE GLORY OF LOVE.




1936
Vernon Duke/Ira Gershwin,“The Ziegfeld follies”. Bob Hope.

I’m a gloom one, it’s explainable
I can’t get started.











1936
Billy Mayhew.
be sure it’s true when you say, “I love you”
IT’S A SIN TO TELL A LIE
millions of hearts have been broken
just because these words were spoken
I love you yes I do I love you.
if you break my heart I’ll die
so be sure it’s true
when you say I love you
IT’S A SIN TO TELL A LIE.

1936


everytime it rains it rains
pennies from heaven
Don’t you realize each cloud contains
pennies from heaven
You’ll find your fortune falling all over town
Be sure that your umbrella is upside down
Trade them for a package of
sunshine and flowers
If you want the things you love
you must have showers
So when you hear it thunder
don’t run under a tree
There’ll be pennies from heaven for you and me.



A long time ago a million years bc
The best things in life were absolutely free.
But nobody appreciated’a sky that was always blue
And nobody congratulated a moon that always new
So it was planned that they would vanish now and then
And you must pay before you get them back again
That’s why storms were made for
And you shouldn’t be concerned for
1937
Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger for the 1937 Paramount Pictures film Waikiki Wedding, starring Bing Crosby and Shirley Ross. Crosby recorded a version with backing by Lani McIntyre and His Hawaiians, which was released in 1937[2] as the B-side of "Sweet Leilani. The song subsequently received numerous cover versions, most successfully as the title track of the 1961 Elvis Presley film, the soundtrack of which stayed at #1 on the album chart for twenty consecutive weeks.


night & you & BLUE HAWAII
the night is heavenly & you are heaven to me
lovely you & BLUE HAWAII
with all this loveliness there should be love


come with me while the moon is on the sea
the night is young & so are we
dreams come true in BLUE HAWAII
& mine could all come true this magic night of nights with you


1937
R. Armitage, “Feather your nest”.
I’m leanin on a lamp
Maybe you think I look a tramp
But no, I’m not a crook
And if you think that’s what I look
I’m leaning on a lamp post on the corner of the street
In a case a little girl goes by
Oh me oh my I hope the little girl comes by




1937
Vivian Ellis, “Hide and Seek: a musical comedy”. Bobby Howes.

she’s my lovely, my Venus
& don’t you agree, sir?
she’s my lovely
serene as any Mona Lisa
she’s the sunset hour
when nothing looks grey
she’s the one set hour
I long for each day
for she’s my lovely
a hush that brings the pearly dawning
she’s my lovely
a thrush that sings at early morning
& the loveliest thing about her, you see
is she’s so lovely to me





1937
Christopher Hassall/Ivor Novello Davies. “The crest of a wave”: a musical comedy. London, Palladium.


ROSE OF ENGLAND thou shall fade not here
proud & bright from growing year to year
red shall thy petals be as rich wine untold
shared by thy warriors who served thee of old

ROSE OF ENGLAND breathing England’s air
flower of chivalry beyond compare
while hands & heart endure to cherish thy prime
thou shalt blossom to the end of time.




1937
w. Ira Gershwin m. George Gershwin, “Shall we dance? A musical comedy” -- Introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Let’s call the whole thing off






1937
w. Johnny Burke m. Arthur Johnston. Introduced by Bing Crosby in the film Double or Nothing.


out of the darkness you suddenly appeared
you smiled, I was taken by surprise
I guess I should have seen right through you
but THE MOON GOT IN MY EYES.
I was so thrilled by the love you volunteered
I gave my heart without a compromise
I guess you don't remember, do you?
when THE MOON GOT IN MY EYES.



I thought a kingdom was in sight
I would have the right to claim
But with the morning's early light
I didn't have a dream to my name


you know the saying all who love are blind
it seems that ancient adage still applies
I guess, I should have seen right through you
but THE MOON GOT IN MY EYES.


1937
w. Al Dubin m. Harry Warren. Introduced by James Melton in the film Melody for Two.
September in the rain.












1938
Noel Coward
Dearest love now that I found you the sun shines in the sky.





1938
m: Sammy Fain w: Irving Kahal. From the Broadway musical Right This Way, which closed after fifteen performances. In the musical, it was performed by the singer Tamara Drasin, who had a few years earlier introduced Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.

I’ll be seeing you.











1938
m: Harry Warren (S. A. Guaragna), w: Johnny Mercer, “Hard to Get: a musical comedy”, sung by Dick Powell. The song was originally recorded by Bing Crosby for the biggest-selling hit version. Other contemporaneous hit versions included recordings by Tommy Dorsey (with vocal by Edythe Wright) and Russ Morgan.
YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY
you must have been a wonderful child
when you were only startin’
to go to kindergarten
I bet you drove the little boys wild
& when it came to winning blue ribbons
you must have shown the other kids how
I can see the judges' eyes
as they handed you the prize
you must have made the cutest bow
YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY
'cause baby look at you now.
1938
Cole Porter, “Leave it to me: a musical comedy”.
My heart belongs to daddy
And I simply couldn’t be bad
My heart belongs to daddy dad da dad.




1938
Annette Mills


HANDS KNEES & BOOMPS A DAISY
I like a bustle that bends
HANDS KNEES & BOOMPS A DAISY
what is a boomp between friends
hands knees o don't be lazy
let's make the party a wow-
HANDS KNEES & BOOMPS A DAISY
turn to your partner & bow.

1939
Songs
from
1939-1945

1939
"Wish Me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye" is a song by Harry Parr-Davies, made popular during the Second World War by Gracie Fields. It appeared in Fields' 1939 film Shipyard Sally. Its use in the film is patriotic, Stephen C. Shafer argues, although the song in this context did not reference the war as the film was released prior to its outbreak.[1] Over the years it has been performed and recorded by many artists, including Vera Lynn, Elsie Carlisle, Chas & Dave, Cyril Grantham and Jack Hylton.[2] It also featured in the film The History Boys.
WISH ME LUCK AS YOU WAVE ME GOODBYE
Cheerio, here I go, on my way
wish me luck as you wave me goodbye
not a tear, but a cheer, make it gay
give me a smile I can keep all the while
in my heart while I'm away
'Till we meet once again, you and I
wish me luck as you wave me goodbye




1939

[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/n/norman_blake/you_are_my_sunshin
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE my only sunshine
you make me happy when skies are gray
you'll never know dear how much I love you
please don't take my sunshine away

I'll always love you & make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another
You'll regret it all someday
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamed I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
And I hung my head & cried













1939
Kiss me goodnight, Sergeant-Major
Tuck me in my little wooden bed
We all love you, Sergeant-Major,
even when your neck grows rather red (‘when we hear you bawling, show a leg)
Don't forget to wake me in the morning
And bring me 'round a nice hot cup of tea
Kiss me goodnight Sergeant-Major
Sergeant-Major, be a mother to me












1939
Connor/Pola


For a while we must part
But remember me sweetheart
TILL THE LIGHTS OF LONDON SHINE AGAIN.
And while I’m over there
Think of me in every prayer
TILL THE LIGHTS OF LONDON SHINE AGAIN


I’ll keep your picture near me
A tender souvenir
Now hold me close and kiss me
And may God bless you dear
don’t you cry when I’m gone
wear a smile and carry on
TILL THE LIGHTS OF LONDON SHINE AGAIN




1939
All or nothing at all











1939
Kiss me goodnight sergeant major


1939
Perfidia









1939
Moonglith serenade






1939
Cole Porter.
When they begin the beguine








1939
“The Wizard of Oz”. Judy Garland

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Blue birds fly over the rainbow
So why tell me why can’t I.



1939


if a grey haired lady says
how’s yer father?
that’ll be mademoiselle
if she smiles & says
how’s yer father
that’ll be mademoiselle
if she says, parley voo
tout suit tell me do
how is he after all these years
if a grey-haired lady says
don’t tell your mother
that’s mademoiselle from Armentieres





1939
Michael Carr/ Jimmy Kennedy. Recorded by: Arthur Askey; Chas & Dave; Flanagan & Allen; The Two Leslies.
WE’RE GONNA HANG OUT THE WASHING
ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE
have you any dirty washing, mother dear?
WE’RE GONNA HANG OUT THE WASHING
ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE
‘cause the washing day is here.
whether the weather may be wet or fine
we'll just ride along without a care
WE’RE GONNA HANG OUT THE WASHING
ON THE SIEGFRIED LINE
if that Siegfried line's still there.
Mother dear I'm writing you from somewhere in France
hoping this finds you well.
Sergeant says I'm doing fine - a soldier and a half
Here's a song that we all sing
This'll make you laugh...


1939
CREATION OF E. N. S. A.
The Entertainments National Service Association or ENSA was an organisation set up in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War II. ENSA operated as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes. It was superseded by Combined Services Entertainment (CSE) which now operates as part of the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC). Many well-known stars have performed in ENSA, including Gracie Fields, George Formby, Wilfrid Brambell, Joyce Grenfell, Paul Scofield, Rebecca Cantwell and Vera Lynn. During 1945, actors Laurence Olivier and Sir Ralph Richardson were created honorary army Lieutenants in ENSA. They performed Shakespeare's plays for the troops in a six week tour of Europe. Despite many extremely talented entertainers and movie stars, past and future, working for ENSA, the organisation was necessarily spread thin over the vast area it had to cover. Thus many entertainments were substandard, and the popular translation of the acronym ENSA was "Every Night Something Awful". Chaos Supersedes ENSA, a mini-series (1980), was written and directed by Patrick Garland for Thames Television.The television sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum concerned the misadventures of a group of soldiers providing entertainment for an army barracks in India. These were known as the Concert Party and were not ENSA members per se.ENSA also featured in the television sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart, in the episode "How I Won The War".The only known ENSA theatre to have survived in its original condition is the Garrison Theatre at Hurst Castle in the New Forest National Park. Created by servicemen in 1939, the proscenium arch still bears the badge and grenades of the Royal Artillery, and the curtains still hang from an old galvanised gas pipe. Shows are presented from time to time by the Friends of Hurst Castle. In the Are You Being Served? episode entitled "Camping In", Mr. Grainger told a story of being a member of ENSA which Mr. Humphries said stood for "Every Night Something awful 'Appens". In the popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army episode "Museum Piece", ENSA are revealed to be using the rifles Captain Mainwaring so desperately seeks. SSVC website'Chaos Supersedes ENSA' on IMDB







1939
Armitage, “Me and My Girl: a musical comedy”. London, Palladium.



anytime you’re Lambeth way
any evening any day
you’ll find yourself
doing THE LAMBETH WALK
every little Lambeth gal
with her little Lambeth pal
you’ll find them all
doing THE LAMBETH WALK

everything free & easy
do as you darn well pleasy
why don’t you make your way there
go there -- stay there
once you get to Lambeth way
any evening any day
you’ll find yourself
doing THE LAMBETH WALK!


Lambeth you’ve never seen The skies so blue, the grass so green
We may not have the Mayfair touch But that don’t matter very much
We play a different play Not like you, but a bit more gay
And we have a bit of fun. Oy!

1939
Armitage, “Me and My Girl: a musical comedy”. London, Palladium.




ME & MY GIRL
meant for each other
made for each other
& liking it so
ME & MY GIRL
no use pretending
we knew the ending
a long time ago
some little church
with a big steeple
just a few people
that both of us know
& we’ll have love, laughter
be happy ever after
ME & MY GIRL













1939
Oscar Hammerstein II//Jerome Kern. “Very Warm for May”-- sung by Hiram Sherman, Frances Mercer, Hollace Shaw, and Ralph Stuart.

you are the angel glow that lights a star
the dearest things I know are what you are
some day my happy arms will hold you
& some day I'll know that moment divine
when all THE THINGS YOU ARE are mine
time and again I've longed for adventure,
something to make my heart beat the faster.
what did I long for? I never really knew.
finding your love I've found my adventure,
touching your hand, my heart beats the faster,
all that I want in all of this world is you.
you are the promised kiss of springtime
that makes the lonely winter seem long.
you are the breathless hush of evening
that trembles on the brink of a lovely song.



1939


WE’LL MEET AGAIN
don’t know where don’t know when
but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day
keep smiling thru
just like you always do
till the bright sun drives the dark clouds far away


so will you please say hello
to the folks that I know
tell them I won’t be long
they’ll be happy to know
that as you saw me go
I was singing this song.




1939
From “The Little Dog Laughed”