It's A Great Day for the Irish
Encyclopedia
"It's a Great Day for the Irish" is an Irish-American song that was written in 1940 by Roger Edens
, one of the many musical directors at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
studios under the leadership of Arthur Freed
for inclusion in the film version of the George M. Cohan
1922 Broadway
show Little Nellie Kelly
, directed by Norman Taurog
. The rights of the show were sold to MGM by Cohan as a starring vehicle for the young Judy Garland
. The song was partly written to capitalize on Garland's identification with her Irish roots (Garland was a quarter Irish through her maternal grandmother Eva Fitzpatrick). The new song was to be used in a recreation of New York's famed annual St. Patrick's Day Parade marching up Fifth Avenue. It was to be a major production number requiring the New York Street set on the backlot to be enlarged, involving the main characters of the film and showcasing the young Garland's enormously strong voice and engaging performance style as she sang and danced up the avenue with her father, played by George Murphy
, her stereotypical grandfather (played by Charles Winninger
) and her boyfriend (Douglas McPhail). The movie was well received, but is now most remembered for the rousing song it introduced into Irish-American culture and as Garland's only death scene on film.
in 1940 as a single with another song from the film, "A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow
", on the B-side. The song was a tremendous hit for her and the original Decca version has remained in the catalogue since the 1940s. It was recorded several more times throughout her career with the last time being at the "London Sessions" under the musical direction of Norrie Paramor for Capitol Records
in 1960. She often sang it live, particularly in concerts in Ireland and the UK where audiences clapped, sang along and danced in the aisles. During her famed Amsterdam
, the Netherlands
concert the audience stomped their feet and demanded the song to which Garland giggled and replied "well okay - its very loud" One particular review of a show wrote, "she shook the walls with her raucous rendition". The lively song included a special verse of difficult tongue-twisting rhyming Irish surnames and places, that seemed to thunder from Garland's throat effortlessly. The song was popular on jukeboxes in Irish Pubs and was recorded by numerous other Irish artists such as: Carmel Quinn
, Bing Crosby
, Ruby Murray
, Daniel O'Donnell
and The Clancy Brothers
among others. Italian-American singer Connie Francis
also recorded the song.
and its familiar strains are heard on the occasion around the world annually. The lively upbeat song is a favourite played by military and school marching bands everywhere and is now a standard sound for the "Great Day" as popular as "The Wearing of the Green
" and has been firmly embedded in Irish-American culture.
(note the Garland version includes a fast paced additional litany of names at this point)
Roger Edens
Roger Edens was a Hollywood composer, arranger and associate producer, and is considered one of the major creative figures in Arthur Freed's musical film production unit at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the "golden era of Hollywood".-Early career and work with Judy Garland:Edens was born in...
, one of the many musical directors at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
studios under the leadership of Arthur Freed
Arthur Freed
Arthur Freed was born Arthur Grossman in Charleston, South Carolina. He was a Jewish American lyricist and a Hollywood film producer.- Biography :Freed began his career as a song-plugger and pianist in Chicago...
for inclusion in the film version of the George M. Cohan
George M. Cohan
George Michael Cohan , known professionally as George M. Cohan, was a major American entertainer, playwright, composer, lyricist, actor, singer, dancer, and producer....
1922 Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
show Little Nellie Kelly
Little Nellie Kelly
Little Nellie Kelly is a 1940 musical comedy film based on the stage musical by George M. Cohan which was a hit on Broadway in 1922 and 1923. The film was written by Jack McGowan and directed by Norman Taurog...
, directed by Norman Taurog
Norman Taurog
Norman Rae Taurog was an American film director, and screenwriter.Between 1920 and 1968, Taurog directed over 140 films, and directed Elvis Presley in more movies than any other director...
. The rights of the show were sold to MGM by Cohan as a starring vehicle for the young Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
. The song was partly written to capitalize on Garland's identification with her Irish roots (Garland was a quarter Irish through her maternal grandmother Eva Fitzpatrick). The new song was to be used in a recreation of New York's famed annual St. Patrick's Day Parade marching up Fifth Avenue. It was to be a major production number requiring the New York Street set on the backlot to be enlarged, involving the main characters of the film and showcasing the young Garland's enormously strong voice and engaging performance style as she sang and danced up the avenue with her father, played by George Murphy
George Murphy
George Lloyd Murphy was an American dancer, actor, and politician.-Life and career:He was born in New Haven, Connecticut of Irish Catholic extraction, the son of Michael Charles "Mike" Murphy, athletic trainer and coach, and Nora Long. He was educated at Peddie School, Trinity-Pawling School, and...
, her stereotypical grandfather (played by Charles Winninger
Charles Winninger
Charles Winninger was an American stage and film actor, most often cast in comedies or musicals, but equally at home in drama.-Biography:He began as a vaudeville actor...
) and her boyfriend (Douglas McPhail). The movie was well received, but is now most remembered for the rousing song it introduced into Irish-American culture and as Garland's only death scene on film.
Recordings
The song was originally recorded by Garland on Decca RecordsDecca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
in 1940 as a single with another song from the film, "A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow
A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow
A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow is a traditional 18th-century Irish Ballad. The English version is attributed to Thomas Moore ....
", on the B-side. The song was a tremendous hit for her and the original Decca version has remained in the catalogue since the 1940s. It was recorded several more times throughout her career with the last time being at the "London Sessions" under the musical direction of Norrie Paramor for Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in 1960. She often sang it live, particularly in concerts in Ireland and the UK where audiences clapped, sang along and danced in the aisles. During her famed Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
concert the audience stomped their feet and demanded the song to which Garland giggled and replied "well okay - its very loud" One particular review of a show wrote, "she shook the walls with her raucous rendition". The lively song included a special verse of difficult tongue-twisting rhyming Irish surnames and places, that seemed to thunder from Garland's throat effortlessly. The song was popular on jukeboxes in Irish Pubs and was recorded by numerous other Irish artists such as: Carmel Quinn
Carmel Quinn
Carmel Quinn is an Irish entertainer who has appeared on Broadway, television and radio since coming to America in 1954.-Biography:...
, Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, Ruby Murray
Ruby Murray
Ruby Murray was one of the most popular singers in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 1950s. In 1955 alone, she secured seven Top 10 UK hit singles.-Child star:...
, Daniel O'Donnell
Daniel O'Donnell (Irish singer)
Daniel Francis Noel O'Donnell is an Irish singer, television presenter and philanthropist. O'Donnell came to public attention in 1983 and has since become a household name in Ireland and the UK. He has also had considerable success in the US. He is known for his close relationship with his...
and The Clancy Brothers
The Clancy Brothers
The Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, they were famed for their woolly Aran jumpers and are widely credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. The brothers were Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy...
among others. Italian-American singer Connie Francis
Connie Francis
Connie Francis is an American pop singer of Italian heritage and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1950s and 1960s. Although her chart success waned in the second half of the 1960s, Francis remained a top concert draw...
also recorded the song.
Cultural anthem
The song went on to become a worldwide St. Patrick's Day anthemAnthem
The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
and its familiar strains are heard on the occasion around the world annually. The lively upbeat song is a favourite played by military and school marching bands everywhere and is now a standard sound for the "Great Day" as popular as "The Wearing of the Green
The Wearing of the Green
"The Wearing of the Green" is an anonymously-penned Irish street ballad dating to 1798. The context of the song is the repression around the time of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Wearing a shamrock in the "caubeen" was a sign of rebellion and green was the colour of the Society of the United...
" and has been firmly embedded in Irish-American culture.
Lyrics
- Oh, I woke me up this morning and I heard a joyful song
- From the throats of happy Irishmen, a hundred thousand strong
- Sure it was the Hibernian Brigade
- Lining up for to start the big parade
- So I fetched me Sunday bonnet and the flag I love so well
- And I bought meself a shamrock just to wear in me lapel
- Don't you know that today's March seventeen?
- It's the day for the wearing of the green...........
- It's a great day for the Irish, it's a great day for fair
- The side-walks of New York are thick with Blarney
- For shure you'd think New York was Old Killarney
- Begosh and begorragh, every Irish son and daughter
- Every good old Irish name and their relation
- They come from Tipperary, Donegal and County Kerry,
- They are all here to join the celebration..........
- There's Connolly and Donnelly, Ryan, O'Brien,
- McLoughlin and Lynch, Pat Flannigan, McFadden, McPhearson and Finch
- Hogan and Logan, Fitzpatrick, O'Bannigan, Danny O'Doole and Seamus O'Tool!
(note the Garland version includes a fast paced additional litany of names at this point)
- It's a great day for the Shamrock, for the flags in full array
- We're feeling so inspirish, shure because for all the Irish
- It's a great, great day.....
- It's a great day for the Irish, it's a great day for fair
- Begosh, there's not a cop to stop a raiding
- Begorrah all the cops are out parading
- It's a great day for the Shamrock, for the flags in full array
- And as we go a-swinging, every Irish heart is singing
- It's a great, great day........