Al Jolson "When I Leave The World Behind"

Al Jolson sings "When I Leave The World Behind" from a 1943 radio broadcast

[@williamschlenger1518]

When I was a young boy,my neighbor passed away & i went through his disregarded belongings and took the Jolson records home.I became an instant Jolson fan.

[@louisrose]

There have been times, when listening to Jolson in the car, that I have had to pull over, roll down the windows and get to my feet, so overcome by emotion was I. Jolson was great, a voice with near universal appeal. I am a happier, and a better man to have heard him.

[@user-tsuri567]

Al Jolson was and is still the world's greatest entertainer. I heard his songs in my parents' house when I was just a kid, and now at the age of 69 I miss my parents and him.

[@angelangel2811]

♥️ this is for you daddy, my precious dad who loved Al Jolson. Harry Thomas Bush 1927-1999, My dad could sing just like Jolson too ♥️♥️ miss you daddy 🙏🏼

[@davidjhitztaler-mrrocklight]

Al Jolson is the Best Singer/Entertainer of all time to me. Heard his voice when I six years old. It touched me forever

[@MultiSillygilly]

tears in my eyes, my dad used to sing this after a few bevvies ................... miss him so much

[@williamschlenger1518]

He may have left the world behind but his music 🎶 lives on forever.❤

[@suescraftstuff]

My Mother sang this to me when I was a little girl, along with the little boy that santa clause forgot.she and my father always loved his singing, sonny boy etc... they're both gone now and these songs remind me of them so much.

[@stuartylad]

This was one of my father's favourite songs and when he died my family asked me to sing it at his funeral. My grandmother (dad's mum) was there and when I sang the line "and to the old folks I leave the memory of a baby upon their knee" it nearly ripped my heart out. Still a cracking song and love singing it regardless.

[@peterheadington5029]

+Stuart Stokell - yes this was one of my Dad's favourites too (which he often sang after a pint or two of Guinness). I am conducting a funeral service tomorrow and this is going to be played for the 90 year old guy who has passed away and I know that it is going to crack me up.

[@janetfillary9432]

Stuart Stokell it makes me cry

[@logic1695]

Stuart Stokell one love my brother. Touching lyrics

[@mozgren]

After dad died we found the lyrics transcribed from memory and we too played it at his funeral. I never knew he was so sentimental - a very good song, however.,

[@bennettsilverstein]

One of the most beautiful songs written by Irving Berlin. AndJolie does it great justice.

[@edwardgunyo3638]

Al was a great man. This was one of his last songs before he passed away at the hotel in San Fran. Will always miss him.

[@davidjhitztaler-mrrocklight]

"The Greatest Voice" of all time 💓

[@peterrolland3061]

My Gran sung this song. It still chokes me up. A legacy in itself!

[@johncerminaro4549]

Oh Jesus...he was wonderful (RIP).

[@peterpan7840]

Inimitable Jolson!! He walks on water!!!

[@gudrunfehler6605]

Wow this man had a voice that makes you speechless.

[@sammipink1]

this was my late husbands favourite singer and song played at his funeral great memories thank you for posting

[@Michaelbos]

The Great Al Jolson.

[@georgewilliams8198]

My dad also always used to sing it. It is about time we all sing it. All together " I know a millionaire ££££££

[@dec-hw3lm]

Reminds us all of our Wonderful Second World Generation of Mums Dads Grans Granddads God Love Them All .This Song Is For Them xxxxxx

[@peperyan]

My daddy sang this song and when i hear it now it brings tears to my eyes

[@gerardrimmer1601]

Wonderful wonderful singer my fathers all time favourite truly a star

[@Skipperj]

He was my grandpa's favorite and has become my favorite for this genre,thank you Jolson1950

[@montgomery4340]

He was my pops favourite also :)

[@courtleex]

This song was played at my grandpa's funeral a month ago, absolutely beautiful. Al Jolson was his favourite.

[@54musiclover]

My late father's favourite. The Jolson man was unique, his music will live on.

[@willtap1945]

My Father used to sing this often, when I was a kid, but I`ll never forget when he got up on the stage and sang this a few years before he died. I was old enough to appreciate it more, then. Beautiful Song, wonderfully Composed and sung to perfection by the Worlds Greatest Entertainer, Al Jolson.

[@boblol4788]

Today was the day my pop died he loved Al jolson he. Was his favourite singer when he was on his last days he mouthed this song because he couldn’t speak he was like a father to me because my dad left as I was young I looked up to him and loved him this will be playing at her funeral

[@ranoosamagic9068]

Im 40 years old and im a big fan of his voice

[@joycethomas8749]

I love Al Jolson voice my favorite movie is The Jolson Story

[@OldTimeVoice]

Absolutely wonderful Al the song is great, your voice is magic...Colin OldTimeVoice

[@sandyturner4982]

A beautiful recording, which brings back memories of my dad, who was a very accomplished Jolson impersonator, singing this number.

[@richardmears4929]

It'll be play at my funeral, God willing

[@kat71580]

My mum, bless her, loved 'jolie'., I can see her now...happy, singing jolie songs...bless you my darling, I miss you.love kath❤❤❤❤

[@janetfillary9432]

Kathy Scott hope you are alright xx

[@kat71580]

Hello Janet, kathy...I've just seen your message, how kind..thank you., I grew up with jolie songs my mum loved him., mum passed in 2009., but what's time? My very best wishes to you Janet., and all Jolson fans. Love kathy💜💜💜

[@margaretlaing5192]

When i close my eyes i can hear my dad sing this x

[@larryferguson3387]

AL JOLSON WAS GREAT.😊

[@Paul-lm5gv]

There will never be another Jolson!

[@hildabusciglio6098]

inolvidable al jolson son fans desde los 13 años y ahora tengo 80 años,y me sigue fascinando

[@winifredspencer3864]

I think it's an excellent recording and sung with genuine feeling. Jolson did nothing second rate.

[@georgeshoult7943]

winifred spencer 🐰🐿🕊🐑

[@janettrim7587]

It is called "heart" and it is what drew me to being a radio DJ. I am still 'stuck' in that era. I don't think there will ever be a repeat. You just have to revisit it often. Maybe some day we can tune in like Einstein's theory suggests.

[@chattyroz2934]

This was a live performance.

[@josephguagenti3032]

The best ever. Including Elvis.

[@chesster5981]

@@chattyroz2934 its in a movie

[@apple1999207]

I can sum Jolson up in one word "perfection" just pure perfection

[@busstopfm]

whenever someone responds like this from their heart, I find they're rarely wrong. I've seen this reaction to Sinatra, who I used to loathe, being a child of the 70's, but, working at it, for years, getting people who loved Sinatra to help me, I finally got to where I could hear it. Now I go "perfection, just perfection" when I hear him...so...now Al Jolson...can't do it, but you can, anything you think my help?

[@pinkfloydmeddle6692]

@@busstopfm you just have to really hear his singing style. The way he sings. The lyrics and the soul he puts into his singing

[@bramblehoney]

Enjoyed this. Not heard this version before. Inimitable voice.

[@maryrichardson4425]

I love this song love singing it

[@marywolters3612]

Love it.

[@celiahildabusciglio5836]

maravillosa canción y adorable al jolson soy fanatica desde los 11 años, ahora tengo 80 y me sigue encantando

[@erudite1100]

Nice words simply makes you think.

[@RobertJonesWightpaint]

Just a unique voice.

[@melofmac6896]

FANTASTIC

[@robbo151973]

this was my late fathers greatest singer , always makes me think of him , but we all all know like your dad we will never forget xxx

[@grandslam1998]

Al J you are sheer class.

[@jeancarter9073]

my aunt always sang this at parties brings back lovely memories

[@davenicholas1946]

A Great Melody and wonderful words great recording

[@johnjurkewicz9925]

👍👍It so great 👍👍

[@chaskenny]

Fantastic!

[@patriciamcdonald4078]

My Dad love this song

[@johnderby8921]

Just beautiful!!!! NH

[@Jolson1950]

Yes Neil, it is a wonderful song and Jolson sings it beautifully. The song formed part of my presentation in Milwaukee and will be shown again in October. Very different pictures though!

[@iannicholls9140]

Beautiful

[@donnawilliams9769]

I haven't listened to this for years ❤

[@blackukulele]

Just came across this in a book by Jack Hulbert, an English song and dance man from the 1930s. He was eating lunch between shows and his thoughts returned to a time he was in America and heard Jolson sing: "He just sang a few songs and chatted to the audience in between. It had been a matinee, a dreary review. I was just about to leave. He started to sing and for half an hour I was riveted to my seat. I cannot pay him a higher compliment. Just ordinary stuff; popular songs, the Mammie-Dixie type, but the feeling in the voice, the emotion, the sympathy. He was most intriguing and compelling personality, one of the greatest stars in this particular line. ... I was finishing my cheese and biscuits when a chap came up to me and said, 'Pardon me, sir, for interrupting your meal but I want to say I saw you in the show across the road. You were swell, and if ever you want to come to New York and play on Broadway just let me know. My name is Al Jolson.' Before I had time to tell him I was one of his greatest fans, he'd gone. (_The Little Woman's Always Right_ p.144)

[@AnthonyRooney-be2tx]

It always came from the heart very touching

[@fastonthedraw]

still a legend.......just enjoy....

[@tompresley853]

beautiful words sang from the soul

[@mrbuttons4321]

Still sounds good after 70 odd years

[@MrJockshaw]

great departing from this world song!i will request it at my own demise!

[@niceamigo9229]

one of the greats...

[@rococoblue]

This should be everyone's final song.

[@anthonycasey430]

My dad would sing this after a few jars brings back wonderful memories

[@Nojnotpu]

So true and such a wonderful comment about the great Al.

[@Jolson1950]

@2havago It's amazing that the voice of Jolson is still well known today, over 60 years after he passed away. Just goes to show the power of his voice and personality.

[@jl57]

My Fav...gotta be.....What a singer......

[@bobbiettavocalist]

I want this sung at my Funeral

[@phlipturner1775]

My dads favourite song miss him so much

[@bouncybomb]

A true legend x

[@davidthomas3046]

just great thankyou

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Very tuneful voice I must say. Sounds like mid to late 40s post War II.

[@kevinball7950]

SO TRUE MATE bloody love the man. i got my dad a L-P. in 1960 of the great man Jolson. even my boys are now men they love him .one is a major u.k army.me ex

[@GoddUsWisdomTarot]

Love him❤☺

[@janettrim7587]

Don't ever "just walk on by" because you will never know just how much you miss. I made that mistake because I was over whelmed by the attention. I wanted anonymity again, so I left to a far Western state from where I was born and my family tree was and I was very family oriented until my family sort-of- "walked way". It creates a vacuum that never gets fulfilled again, no matter how much you try to fill it with "new stuff" it never is the same. Today my own children, grandchildren do not know my history. That was a hedge of protection I took to start over again: new name, new state, new job, new acquaintances. It is only your mind that chooses not to forget. Even though you would like to erase; it is not possible. It is like climbing a latter, one step, one layer at a time. It is a rather long story starting with my parents in Jolson's era. My mother was a contralto singer who sang around the Finger Lake area of NY State. I guess it was in my DNA to go into radio and study the music industry. I got my Ham license right out of high school and was lucky enough to rub elbows with local ham operators which led me to know the head of RCA and be introduced to ham radio in his own basement. After that intro it all just "happened". I guess it was an inevitable thing. I fell in love and it loved me back. At least until marriage got in the way and ended my connections. Then I went into my State job of processing Top Secret Clearances more seriously. Marrying a military career officer added to the intrigue. Took me to Germany and just kept on learning and doing. If I hadn't learned to keep a secret confidential, I suppose I could write a book. Even my own family do not know who is cooking the dinner and sitting at the head of the table. They would not believe you even if you did reveal it. Today I still exist anonymously, L O L (Now, you know some of the "story" ). (Paul Harvey, where art thou?)

[@Jolson1950]

It's slightly earlier than Jolson's Kraft Music Hall shows.This was from one of his Colgate shows from 1943.

[@heatherwhite5191]

They don't write songs like this anymore x

[@chattyroz2934]

This was written in 1915, more than 100 years ago, by Irving Berlin, who carried on writing hits well into the 1950s.

[@heatherwhite5191]

@@chattyroz2934 my grandmother used to play this. She sat me down when I was very young and asked me to listen to not just the melody but to the words. To this day when I hear it. I'm that young girl being taught the beauty of music by her grandmother. These lessons are lessons of the heart and soul x

[@Jolson1950]

@bramblehoney Pleased that you enjoyed it. Al Jolson's voice just kept on getting better and better over the years. A wonderful entertainer.

[@cymrumbeth1977]

Not heard Jolson sing this before. Danny La Rue did a great version of this song on his Music Hall album

[@indyandnorbert1]

its On Good Old Days collectiOn 2b on youtube and its on TV tomorrow 21st October 8pm BBC4 when our Dan' is on The Good Old Days.if you see this note in time

[@bradfordrusso7480]

It disappoints me when people who don't know the full story falsely accuse this man of being racist. Jews are NOT racist -- because they Know what persecution is like! Listen carefully to the words and music of the broad scope of Jolson's repertoire. The amazing truth is that his songs are SO UP-beat, Inspirational, and filled with joy, love, laughter. Jolson IS largely responsible for helping us Americans to weather and survive the Great Depression. I draw powerful inspiration from his CD's and films. I show them to my employees and students. The "secret" of his power (as confessed to his father, the cantor, in the bio films) is that he is actually singing "prayers". That's what reaches the human heart & spirit of his audience.

[@altclut]

Jews are racist! They believe they are special and chosen by God! How dare they believe such a racist thing! I do love Al Jolson! ❤

[@altclut]

Jews ARE racist! They claim to be the original chosen people of the only one god! That’s racist! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Arsenal52100]

Thinking of you Uncle Tony.RIP.

[@CarlDuke]

Thanks for posting this wonderful Berlin song, as done by Jolie. There is another very fine version on youtube by Eddie Fisher, who was also among Irving's favorite singers, though I believe Jolson was #1 with Berlin.

[@itslinziwalker]

My granny always used to sing this to me and my sister when we were young. It just came to me out of the blue again when I was in the shower and it made me smile :)

[@pay1941]

the old mans songs pat xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@Jolson1950]

@kleptyklump It's a lovely version of a wonderful old song - and so suited to the Jolson style

[@barrygolbin4896]

Please. It's a great song by a great singer but it's been recorded by dozens of great singers. Let us remember who wrote the song--both the music and the lyrics: Irving Berlin. Was there ever a greater composer/lyricist??? EVER??

[@Jolson1950]

@Gumlegs As we know, Jolson liked to interpret a song in different ways. This is a particularly good interpretation of When i Leave The World Behind

[@hoodrichluka40]

круто

[@karenheimbach3820]

A beautiful song = did Irving Berlin write this song?

[@chattyroz2934]

Yes, he did.

[@taurnguard]

KZbin member barbershop666 made a mind-blowing a capella version of this.

[@trickydick6152]

Irving Berlin, 1915.

[@Jolson1950]

@et7waage1 my pleasure

[@abogado5119]

I should have been born in such time of life......All we are having now is a lot of crap.......... For example, take rap.......Even a five year old kid can sing rap....... But can anyone sing like Mr. Al Jolson ? Do we have real lyrics nowaday ? No Sir !!! Dr. Wilbur Walker, Attorney and Notary in Santo Domingo......

[@zapdunga12]

How can anything beat a Jewish singer singing a Jewish songwriter's song?

[@johngoddard9095]

Molson was build as the world's greatest entertainer but he has to be a poor second to Rose Marie on this song

[@barrywratten3321]

Pretty dumb thing to say, since they are both entirely different in every aspect. Vive l'difference!

[@SonnyGTA]

Molson??? 'Build as the worlds...' What the fuck are you attempting to say?!?