JUNE ON THE ISLE OF MAY -- THE SPACE ALIEN STUDIES TCHAIKOVSKY.

The Space Alien wrote about this a few issues ago but the beautiful melody keeps haunting the Space Alien's tiny brain! 

"The famous song "On the Isle of May" (popularized in 1940 by Connee Boswell) is actually based on the second movement (Andante cantabile) of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op 11.  [1, 2]". !!!

How was Tchaikovsky's 19th-century classical theme transformed into a pop standard?  

Tchaikovsky composed the quartet in 1871, and the melody for the Andante cantabile was reportedly adapted from a Ukrainian folk song he heard a gardener sing near Kamianka. 

You can listen to the original classical composition on Spotify or read about its historical background on Wikipedia. [1, 2]

 Please click on the footnote numbers to open the links to read more from the sources and then come back here!

Here is more that the Space Alien found online:

"The original melody in this movement was a Ukrainian folk song Tchaikovsky overheard a painter humming at his sister's estate, which he then arranged for cello and strings."

"In 1940, lyricist Mack David and bandleader Andre Kostelanetz adapted this specific classical theme into the popular vocal tune with the familiar lyrics, "And it was June, June on the Isle of May..." [1, 2, 3]"

Go there if you can to hear the lush classical melody that inspired the 1940 hit song.

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Here are some lyrics just as Your Editor found them online at:  

https://genius.com/Connee-boswell-on-the-isle-of-may-lyrics     

We strolled along. Through the heavens

And it was June   June on the Isle of May

Your lips were sweet As the heaven

Love was in bloom, There on the Isle of May

     Close in your arms, Heaven opened its doors

     Then like a fool I sailed away                                                                

But our love will bring us together    

When it is June, June on the Isle of May

     Close in your arms,  Heaven opened its doors

     Then like a fool. I sailed away

But our love Will bring us together

When it is June,  June on the Isle of May.  ###

A Bit More that I found Online:

AI Overview

You are likely thinking of the classic 1940 standard "On the Isle of May" (with lyrics by Mack David and music by André Kostelanetz), famously recorded by artists like Connee Boswell and Glenn Miller. [1, 2]

"On the Isle of May" Lyrics

We strolled along

Through the heavens

And it was June

June on the Isle of May

Your lips were sweet

As the heaven

Love was in bloom

There on the Isle of May [1]

(The remaining lyrics, detailing a tale of lost love and hope for reunion in June, can be found in the original recordings and published sheet music, such as those discussed in.) [1, 2]

From:

AI Overview

Victoria Symphony

The song features lyrics by Mack David and was popularized in 1940 by jazz singers like Connee Boswell. 

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