Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1281671
| OHCC LIVING | SEPTEMBER 2020 | 17 Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time. Yiddish Club Shalom, Yiddish Clubbers, "Maxine, Patty and LaVerne:" The names may seem familiar to you. Were these girls in your junior high school class, or maybe they were distant cousins living in Brooklyn, New York? If you're old enough, you remember these three women as a great singing trio called The Andrew Sisters. Actually, they were not from Brooklyn, but were raised in Minnesota. You can associate them with one song which they recorded in 1937. The song. Bei Mir Bistu Shein, became a sensational hit. Within 30 days, 250,000 records were sold, as were 200,000 copies of the sheet music. What is the backstory regarding this song? Bei Mir Bistu Shein (translation: To Me You Are Beautiful") was a song which was part of a Yiddish operetta produced at the popular Second Avenue Theatre in New York City. The show was entitled I Would If I Could written in 1932 by Abraham Bloom; with music by Sholom Secunda and lyrics by his writing partner, Jacob Jacobs. The trio attempted to sell the show to Hollywood but had no success. At the time, even Eddie Cantor turned the show down because, "It was too Jewish." Secunda and Jacobs decided to sell Bei Mir Bistu Shein to a local publisher for $30. They each netted $15 from the sale! Within months of the sale, an unknown musical trio, The Andrew Sisters, recorded an adapted English version of the song. The only Yiddish that remained was the title, which was repeated throughout the new arrangement. It became The Andrew Sisters' first major hit record. Americans bought thousands of copies of the song. Unfamiliar with the Yiddish title, they requested the recording or sheet music using Yiddish approximations such as "Buy me a beer, Mr. Shane," or "My mere bits of shame." Bei Mir Bistu Shein quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. It was even a hit in Germany, under the Nazi regime, that is, until it was discovered that the composer and lyricist were Jewish; and then it was immediately banned from the airwaves. During the 28 years that the copyright was owned by the publisher, the song grossed three million dollars. Many stars shared in its success, including Guy Lombardo, Ella Fitzgerald, Nelson Eddy, Benny Goodman, Judy Garland, Rudy Vallee, and Bette Midler. The composers, Secunda and Jacobs, received some recognition, and a total of only $30. Can you imagine? For your singing pleasure, here are some of the lyrics to this song: Bei mir bistu shein, please let me explain Bei mir bistu shein, again I'll explain It means you're the fairest in the land I could say "Bella, bella, even say "Voonderbar" Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are I've tried to explain, bei mir bistu shein So, kiss me and say you understand Bei mir bistu shein, you've heard it all before but let me try to explain Bei mir bistu shein means that you're grand Bei mir bistu shein, it's such an old refrain and yet I should explain It means I am begging for your hand I could say "Bella, bella", even say "Voonderbar" Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are ----------instrumental break-------- I could say "Bella,bella", even say "Voonderbar" Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are I've tried to explain, bei mir bistu shein So kiss me and say that you will understand Attached you will find a publicity photo of The Andrew Sisters and a poster for the original operetta. On a bit more reflective note, as the High Holidays are approaching, and no matter how we decide to celebrate, we should all be thankful that we have the opportunity to appreciate the sweetness of the New Year. Let's pause, for just a moment, though, and think of those less fortunate than ourselves. Stay safe and be well. ~ Elaine Massei, President Ask about our OHCC discount!