Over the Rainbow Written by E Y Harburg

“Over the Rainbow” Written by: E. Y. Harburg Composed by: Harold Arlen Sung by: Judy Garland Power Point By: Hannah Spinner

Lyrics 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? Written by: E. Y. Harburg Composed by: Harold Arlen Sung by: Judy Garland

Summary • This song is sung in The Wizard of Oz after Dorothy’s aunt tells her to “"find a place where you won't get yourself into any trouble”. This song describes a perfect faraway place where there are no troubles. The concept behind “Over the Rainbow" is grasping onto the fact that there is something great in the distance. There were many problems in the world during this time like the end of the Great Depression and the start of World War II. It’s a very popular song and many cover versions of this song have been made.

Judy Garland • She was a very popular actress and singer during the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. She is most recognized from her role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. She sang “Over the Rainbow” in that movie and it became her signature song. • back

E. Y. Harburg E. Y. "Yip" Harburg, who lived from 1896 -1981, wrote all of the lyrics in the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz, which featured the Oscar-winning song "Over the Rainbow, " which was voted Number One Song of the 20 th Century in a 2001 poll. He was a democratic socialist and wrote this song to express hope in a time of war, depression and poverty. • back

Great Depression • This was a severe worldwide depression that happened after World War I. It started in 1929 and ended at the start of World War II. The Great Depression started in the US with the crash of the stock market. • back

The Wizard of Oz • A movie made in 1939 that was based off of L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It stars Judy Garland is notable in its use of special effects, use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling and unusual characters. The Wizard of Oz has become, over the years, one of the best known films. • back

Cover Versions • Many famous singers have made cover versions of this song including Eva Cassidy, Barbra Streisand, Israel Kamakawiwo ole. • back

Similes • A simile is a comparison using like or as. • Example: “. . Where troubles melt like lemon drops. . ” • This is comparing how problems melt away like a lemon drop would in your mouth. • back

Ballad • A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. • Example: The whole song is a ballad. • back

Personification • Personification is giving human qualities to things that aren’t human • Example: If happy little bluebirds fly • This is describing the human quality of being happy to an animal • back

Rhymes • A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds in a song or poem. • Examples: 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 • back

Imagery • Imagery is writing that involves one or more of your five senses (hearing, taste, touch, smell, sight). • Examples: Where troubles melt like lemon drops Away above the chimney tops That's where you'll find me. • This makes you image the way this place makes your problems disappear and you can really picture it in your mind. • back

Bibliography • Gerdes, Louise I. The 1930's. N. p. : n. p. , n. d. Print. • Mark Rogers Archives. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow Picture. " Lewrockwell. com. N. p. , n. d. Web. 12 May 2010. <http: //www. lewrockwell. com/rogers/ rainbow. jpg>. • STLyrics. N. p. , 2009. Web. 11 May 2010. <http: //www. stlyrics. com/ lyrics/thewizardofoz/somewhereovertherainbow. htm>. • Turner Entertainment, Co. "History. " The Wizard of Oz. Warner Brothers, 2009. Web. 11 May 2010. <http: //thewizardofoz. warnerbros. com/>. • The Yip Harburg Foundation. "home page. " Yip Harburg. N. p. , n. d. Web. 11 May 2010. <http: //www. yipharburg. com/>. • Jazz. Standards. "Musical Analysis. " Jazz. Standards. com. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 May 2010. <http: //www. jazzstandards. com/compositions-0/ overtherainbow. htm>. • Gew 3. com. "Barbra Streisand Picture. " Song. Lyrica. N. p. , n. d. Web. 17 May 2010. <http: //www. gew 3. org/lyrics/barbra+streisand/>. • Word. Press. "Judy Garland Picture. " Jankenpon. N. p. , n. d. Web. 17 May 2010. <http: //davidkiyokawa. com/blog/2009/02/todays-quote-49/? paged=4>.