LISTENING
Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad sung by actress Judy Garland. This page provides information about the song and links to the lyrics and the official video.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland
Level
Beginner and intermediate students.
Facts about the song
- Song:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- Date of release:
1939 - Composer:
Harold Arlen
Interesting information about the song
The songwas written for the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by actress Judy Garland in her starring role as Dorothy Gale.
About five minutes into the film, Dorothy sings the song after failing to get her aunt and uncle to listen to her relate an unpleasant incident involving her dog, Toto, and the town spinster, Miss Gulch. Dorothy's Aunt Em tells her to "find yourself a place where you won't get into any trouble." This prompts Dorothy to walk off by herself, musing to Toto, "'Some place where there isn't any trouble.' Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat, or a train. It's far, far away. Behind the moon, beyond the rain..." at which point she begins singing.
The video
The lyrics
Language points
The song includes many interesting language points:
Eexpressions that may be useful to students:
- And the dreams that you dream of
Once in a lullaby - 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
Source: Wikipedia