Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I 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
Away 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?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?
The song, Over the Rainbow, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, made popular by the 1939 classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Anne recognized his name. Some of his songs are featured on the Chad Mitchell Trio album that we inherited [possession is nine-tenths of the law] from Bubs and Harry. Hmm, more blog fodder?
Judy Garland, as young Dorothy, sings this haunting ballad amid her drab, black and white, midwestern surroundings. She sings longingly of a land where both the skies and the birds are blue, a land way up high, a land over the rainbow. In February, us Midwesterners are easily swayed by a sirens song.
Today, possibly as you read this, I will find myself somewhere over the rainbow. I am flying to San Francisco. Today’s forecast is for blue skies. Unfortunately, I had to get up at four o’f**k in the morning [thank you school teacher] to make my flight. That plus the long flight, plus the two-hour time change ought to make for a very long day. I won’t even get to nap. I’m not particularly nervous about flying. Quite the contrary, I find it rather exciting. I always try to get a window seat, just like a little kid. I like to see the world go by. I just hope that I’m still up for Half Moon Bay at the end of the day.
Thursday morning, I’ll take BART to have breakfast with Elizabeth and Zack. After that I’ll spend the day doing some sightseeing in San Francisco. Then I’ll take BART to the airport, pick up a rent-a-car and drive to Monterey.
The picture with this post is courtesy of my brother Chris. He sent it to me on Tuesday, another fine product from Chris’ Camera. It looks to me that it was taken from the house. I’ll be staying with Chris and my folks over the weekend. Yep, I’m going to visit the Ps. Anne gave me permission to be gone on Valentine’s Day. Luv ya babes! I’ll be home Sunday night.
This trip kind of popped up out of nowhere. It has been touch and go too, but today I look good for blast off. I feel a little guilty taking it, but then I ask myself, Why then, oh why can’t I?
I LOVE Half Moon Bay. have friends that live within walking distance.
and some trivia — Yip Harburg wrote the song, and clearly made lots of money off of it. His son (or nephew? can’t remember) was part owner of the Del Rio bar in A2, and the proceeds from that song helped finance that drinking/eating establishment for a long time. it was a co-op run place, which I believe eventually led to it’s downfall. sad to see it go, because the Det burger was yummy.
Say hello to E/Z from us here in the Great White [currently] North.
That album is MINE! And we do have a record player still.
Maybe you can digitally record it so we can share.
When I was in JLO (Junior Light Opera), run out of Commie High, we did The Wizard of Oz. And EY Harburg came to our play.
E.Y. Harburg also wrote some of the lyrics/poems on the Chad Mitchell Trio album that we had at home. I’m not sure, but I think this was his:
“Should I write a letter to my congressman?”
“Each congressman has two ends,
a thinking end and a sitting end.
And since his whole success
depends upon his seat,
why bother, friend!”