She purportedly threw herself from a top-floor window after being abused by her uncle and is said to be capable of frightening people to death. The square's gardens have very large London Plane trees that are among the oldest in central London, planted in 1789, and 50 Berkeley Square is allegedly haunted - The legend about the house varies, but most versions state that the attic room of the house is haunted by the spirit of a young woman who committed suicide there. Laid out in the mid 18th century by the architect William Kent, the square is named after John Berkeley, 3rd Baron Berkeley of Stratton, an English admiral of the fleet. ![]() 'Berkeley Square' appears with different spellings online, but the correct spelling has 3 'e's. ![]() Since then the song has gone on to be recorded by countless vocalists and musicians. Here is a re-mastered issue of her 1940 recording. Eric Maschwitz died in 1969.Īnd a nightingale sang in Berkeley Squareĭame Vera Lynne was one of the first to record the song during the Second World War. His other work included writing an adaptation of Goodbye Mr Chips, editing the Radio Times, and becoming Head of Light Entertainment at the BBC. Married to actress Hermione Gingold his other famous song is These Foolish Things, with music by Jack Strachey. Manning Sherwin died in 1974.Įric Maschwitz OBE, lyricist, actor and broadcaster, was born in Edgbaston, Birmingham a year before Manning in 1901. He went on to write for other less well-known musicals before finally returning to Los Angeles. He came to live in the UK in 1938, just a year before the song was written for New Faces, a 1940 review at London's Comedy Theatre. Manning Sherwin was born in Philadelphia in 1902 and had a career in musical theatre and films. Although the song has become a standard, not much is known generally about the composer or lyricist. In 1939, Manning Sherwin wrote A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square with lyrics by Eric Maschwitz. Songbirds sing and winter turns to springĮvery winding street in Mayfair falls beneath the spell Writer(s): MASCHWITZ ERIC, SHERWIN MANNINGLyrics powered by two lovers meet in Mayfair, so the legands tell And, as we kissed and said 'goodnight', A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square How strange it was How sweet and strange There was never a dream to compare With that hazy, crazy night we met When a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square This heart of mine it beat loud and fast Like a merry go round in a fair For we were dancing cheek to cheek And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square When dawn came stealing up all gold and blue To interrupt our rendezvous, I still remember how you smiled and said, "Was that a dream or was it true?" Our homeward step was just as light As the dancing feet of Astaire And, like an echo far away, A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square How could he know we two were so in love? The whole darn world seemed upside down The streets of town were paved with stars It was such a romantic affair. ![]() The moon that lingered over London town, Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown. I may be right, I may be wrong, But I'm perfectly willing to swear That when you turned and smiled at me A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. That certain night, the night we met, There was magic abroad in the air, There were angels dining at the Ritz, And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square. I know such enchantment can be, Because it happened one evening to me. Every winding street in Mayfair, Falls beneath this spell. When two lovers meet in Mayfair, So the legends tell, Songbirds sing, Winter turns to Spring.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |