‘Over The Rainbow’ was originally written and performed for the 1939 movie ‘Wizard of Oz’.
It has become one of the most popular and well-loved songs of all time, and before her passing in 1969 it became Judy Garland’s signature song.
During World War 2, American troops stationed in Europe adopted the song as their symbol of the United States.
‘Over the Rainbow’ has become part of my life. It’s so symbolic of everybody’s dreams and wishes that I’m sure that’s why some people get tears in their eyes when they hear it. I’ve sung it thousands of times and it’s still the song that’s closest to my heart. – Judy Garland, in a letter to songwriter Harold Arlen.
Lyrics
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
there’s a land that i have 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
Someday i’ll wish upon a star
and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
where troubles melt like lemon drops
way 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?
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
there’s a land that i have 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
Someday i’ll wish upon a star
and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
where troubles melt like lemon drops
way 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?
(why oh why yeah yeah)
If bluebirds fly (if bluebirds fly) over the rainbow why, oh why can’t i?
Songwriters: Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen