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Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen

from The Phantom Dancer by Greg Poppleton

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about

Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen is a popular Yiddish song composed by Jacob Jacobs (lyricist) and Sholom Secunda (composer) for a 1932 Yiddish comedy musical, I Would If I Could.

In 1937, Sammy Cahn heard a performance of the song, sung in Yiddish by African-American performers Johnnie and George at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. Grossinger's Catskill Resort Hotel proprietor Jenny Grossinger claimed to have taught the song to Johnnie and George while they were performing at the resort.[2] On seeing the response, Cahn got his employer to buy the rights so he (together with Saul Chaplin) could rewrite the song with English language lyrics and rhythms more typical of swing music. Secunda sold the publishing rights to the song for a mere US$30 which later he split with Jacobs. Cahn then convinced the still unknown Andrews Sisters to perform the song (recorded November 24, 1937). It became their first major hit, earning them a gold record, the first ever to a female vocal group. It was also a worldwide hit. (Wiki)

lyrics

LYRICS

Verse

Of all the girls I've known and I've known some
Until I first met you I was lonesome
And when you came in sight, dear, my heart grew light
And this old world seemed new to me

You're really swell, I have to admit you
Deserve expressions that really fit you
And so I've racked my brain hoping to explain
All the things that you do to me

Chorus

Bei mir bist du schön, please let me explain
'Bei mir bist du schön' means you're grand
Bei mir bist du schön, again I'll explain
It means you're the fairest in the land

I could say 'bella, bella' even say 'wunderbar'
Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are
I've tried to explain, 'bei mir bist du schön'
So kiss me and say you understand

credits

from The Phantom Dancer, released May 30, 2006
Song: Sholem Secunda, Jacob Jacobs / Vic Schoen, Sammy Cahn (1937)

Band: Greg Poppleton and the Bakelite Broadcasters.

Singer - Greg Poppleton
Saxes (soprano / alto / tenor) and Clarinet - Paul Furniss
Trumpet - Bob Henderson
Piano - Peter Locke
Double Bass - Dieter Vogt
Drums - Joel Davis

Engineer:
Phil Punch, Electric Avenue

Mastering:
Rick O'Neil, Turtlerock

license

all rights reserved

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Greg Poppleton Sydney, Australia

I saw Louis Armstrong on TV when I was 3 and have been hooked on 1920s-1930s jazz and swing ever since. I sing songs with some musician characters

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