[sumo] [off topic -- but then it's quiet around here] Israel Kamakawiwo'o...

[Doreen Simmons]

On 2008/01/02, at 19:39, Sumocypher at aol.com wrote:
>
> The Vera Lynn version is here:
>
> _http://www.rhapsody.com/veralynn/11463975_thebestofveralynn/ 
> overtherainbow/ly
> rics.html_
> (http://www.rhapsody.com/veralynn/11463975_thebestofveralynn/ 
> overtherainbow/lyrics.html)
>
> It sounds very "old". I don't know much about Vera Lynn, but I do know  
> that
> she is singing the part before the familiar refrain, and this was  
> originally
> done by Judy Garland in Wizard of Oz around 1935-1939.

Vera Lynn was singing in wartime Britain (World War II, that was) and  
claimed the title "Sweetheart of the Forces".  So did the much younger  
(and rather more upmarket) Petula Clark. Somewhat later, very upmarket  
12-year-old Julie Andrews came onto the scene (singing opera, in the  
early days). (But who's counting?) The song started with Judy Garland  
in the Wizard of Oz, as you say. The range of dates may arise from the  
film marketing system of the time; an American film went all around the  
States and then when it was played out, it was exported to the UK. I  
believe 'Wizard' opened in 1935 and got to the UK in 1939.

Doreen Simmons
  jz8d-smmn at asahi-net.or.jp