Here's something green for St Patrick's Day☘️ what looks like a large green eye. It made me think of the tune When Irish Eyes are Smiling (1912).
But, of course, this is not an eye.
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, was written by Chauncey Olcott and George Graff, Jr., music composed by Ernest Ball is a musical love letter to Ireland and its people. The song offered a sense of pride and loss for first-generation Irish-Americans and took on various waves, fitting into a collection of songs romanticizing Ireland, and the home many left behind, during the time.
You might think a song with a this title was penned by an Irishman, but it's an American song written by two of New York's most prolific professional songwriters in collaboration with a leading vaudeville performer, none of were of Irish descent.
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling was first performed in the play, The Isle O' Dreams which opened at the Grand Opera House in NY on January 27, 1913 and closed barely 3 weeks later in February.
This tune survived and has become a St. Patrick's Day standard, performed by artists like Bing Crosby and Perry Como. It has been used in many films including Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1944) a story of composer Ernest Ball and in the 1947 production, Wild Irish Rose.
Here's Bing Crosby's 1939 rendition of the song. You're welcome for the ear worm today, but (thankfully) it's only once a year.
Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone
No homemade corned beef dinner for us this year
Grenville has made it, but this year wants to dine out
14 comments:
Thank you for all the details and Happy Saint Patrick's Day!
I didn't know the composers of When Irish Eyes Are Smiling weren't actually Irish. Well, how about that? I'm told that Americans of Irish descent are often "more Irish than the Irish". Certainly most people here just see St Patrick's Day as a chance to get as drunk as a skunk, as they say.
the photo of the building looks like a sad green eyed bunny to me. it is the perfect color for the day. did not know about who wrote the song, I thought it was an old Irish song from Ireland
That's a nice song, especially when sung by an Irish tenor. Irish tenors have the most beautiful voice.
I always enjoy getting the back story on things you write about.
Interesting that the Irish song wasn't written by Irish men. Fascinating.
To be honest, I had forgotten about it being St. Patrick's Day. I guess I was caught up in my own world lately.
Enjoy your day and dinner out too.
Sue
Beatrice, Happy St. Patrick's Day! Laurie and I don't venture out on this particular holiday...avoiding crowds and the occasional drunk. Some of our friends go nuts on this day...pub crawling until they are indeed almost crawling. Beef pot pie for dinner tonight...my better half doesn't care for corned beef. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.
Somehow you made connections. 😎
Greetings to you... thanks for the catchy song... so beautiful :-)))
Dream a little!
Viola
Earworm!!!! I love that term and I do, indeed, thank you for it!!!
Bing Crosby and Perry Como are two of my favorite singers - such velvety voices, that turn each song performed by them into a musical gem!
I didn't know that the song wasn't written by Irish men.
How interesting!
Hugs and blessings, Dorothy.
Hope you and Patrick enjoyed your dining out!!
We were shopping on St. Patrick's Day and I wore a sparkly clover pendant, and a light green beaded pendant. And my old fleece jacket (really need a new one!) is green, too. I can't even remember what we ate that night, but it wasn't corned beef. I never make it. Occasionally though will buy it sliced at the deli and make sandwiches.
~Mary
hope you and Patrick enjoyed dining out dear Dorothy :)
i found logo intriguing yet similar to eyes ,only smiling lips were needed below :)
i am never tired of green or blue ,love for these both colors is beyond my comprehension
songs is nice though bit slow .
lots of love and positive energy to both of you !
hugs
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