Yip Harburg

Edgar Yipsel Harburg:

(born Isidore Hochberg; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981).
American popular song lyricist and librettist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” (with Jay Gorney), “April in Paris”, and “It’s Only a Paper Moon”, as well as all of the songs for the film The Wizard of Oz, including “Over the Rainbow”. He was known for the social commentary of his lyrics, as well as his leftist leanings. He championed racial, sexual and gender equality and union politics. He also was an ardent critic of high society and religion.

Yip Harburg (1947). Photo: Harburg – wikipedia.org

April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom, holiday tables under the trees.

Photo: Alex Harmuth.  Meaning 🤔:   🌸 This saying evokes a very specific and idyllic image. It is used to evoke a sense of ‘romance, nostalgia, and the promise of spring’. It symbolizes: 🎉 Joy and festivity: The “festive tables under the trees” suggest conviviality, togetherness, and celebrating life outdoors. 🌱 New beginnings: Spring (“April”, “chestnuts in bloom”) is traditionally a time of rebirth and hope. 💖 The magic of Paris: The city of Paris itself is often associated with love and romance, and this saying reinforces that image. In short, it is an expression used to describe a moment of perfect happiness, beauty, and carefree ease, often with a longing for that specific atmosphere. 📜 Origin and Author: The origin lies with the world-famous song “April in Paris”. 🎬 The Original: The song was originally written for the Broadway musical “Walk a Little Faster” in 1932. ✍️ The Lyricist (Author): The lyrics were written by E.Y. “Yip” Harburg. 🎶 The Composer: The music was composed by Vernon Duke. The song only truly became a massive hit when Count Basie created a jazz version of it in the 1950s. Later, countless artists, including Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, covered the song, making the lyrics and the imagery it evokes known worldwide. The opening lines of the chorus: “April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom, Holiday tables under the trees…”💡 Fun Facts: 🌳 The Chestnuts: Horse chestnuts (châtaigniers) are indeed an iconic part of Parisian boulevards and parks, and their bloom in the spring is a beautiful sight. 🎧 Pop culture: Count Basie’s performance is so famous that the exclamation “One more time!” (which he makes at the end of the song) has become a jazz cliché in itself. It is a beautiful line that perfectly captures the dreamy atmosphere of a Parisian spring.

 

Door Pieter

Mensenmens, zoon, echtgenoot, vader, opa. Spiritueel, echter niet religieus. Ik hou van golf, wandelen, lezen en de natuur in veel opzichten. Onderzoeker, nieuwsgierig, geen fan van de mainstream media (MSM).

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