Harold Arlen: Over the Rainbow - D-Day tribute.

To commemorate the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, and the great sacrifice made by British forces and their Allies on June 6th 1944, the success of which marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War.
The sentimental nature of this song resounded deeply with those brave souls sent to liberate France, and effectively the rest of Western Europe, and from which was laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.
Harold Arlen 1905 -1986. An American composer of popular music, who composed over 500 songs, a number of which have become known worldwide. In addition to composing the songs for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, including "Over the Rainbow", which won him the Oscar for Best Original Song, he was nominated as composer for 8 other Oscar awards. Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the Great American Songbook. "Over the Rainbow" was voted the 20th century's No. 1 song by the RIAA and the NEA.
"Over the Rainbow", also known as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", is a ballad by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Yip Harburg. It was written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, in which it was sung by actress Judy Garland in her starring role as Dorothy Gale. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Garland's signature song.
During 1944 this was one of the most popular songs -
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?
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 sentimental nature of this song resounded deeply with those brave souls sent to liberate France, and effectively the rest of Western Europe, and from which was laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.
Album info:-
'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' - Harold Arlen.
'Elégance orchestrale Vol. 1: Les grands classiques par un orchestre'
The Mantovani Orchestra.
Recording Released 2013.
Apologies for any copyright issues, this video is not made or uploaded for profit or personal gain.

[@megasoid]

Thank you Jayne.

[@norisna]

Excellent Jayne! What a theme!And above all, thanks for your additional information , so complete! Thank you very much!