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.

                                                -----

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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THE SPACE ALIEN LEARNS THE HISTORY OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM

Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" to celebrate an American victory and the survival of the U.S flag during a crucial battle of the war of 1812.  

Detained on a British ship, he watched Fort McHenry endure a 25-hour bombardment. Seeing the American flag still waving at dawn deeply moved him. [1, 2, 3]

Here are the details of the historical event:

• The Mission: In September 1814, Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet, boarded a British truce ship to negotiate the release of an American prisoner, Dr. William Beanes. [1, 2]
• The Detainment: The British agreed to the release but detained Key and his companions aboard the ship to prevent them from leaking tactical secrets, as the British were about to launch an attack on Baltimore. [1]
• The Bombardment: From the deck of his ship, Key witnessed the British Royal Navy launch a 25-hour barrage of bombs and rockets at Fort McHenry. [1, 2]
• The Flag at Dawn: Overnight, the shelling slowed down, and the Americans feared the fort had surrendered. In the early light of dawn, Key looked out and saw a large American flag still flying above the fort, indicating the fort had successfully held. [1, 2]
• The Song: Overcome with pride and relief, Key immediately began writing a poem on the back of a letter he was carrying. He later finished the poem in a Baltimore hotel room, which was originally titled "Defence of Fort M'Henry". It was soon paired with the melody of a popular English drinking song, adopted into a patriotic tune, and eventually made the official U.S. national anthem in 1931. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Here is a wonderful link from the Kennedy Center.

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/music/story-behind-the-song/the-story-behind-the-song/the-star-spangled-banner/

I cannot print it here because it comes out white on white!  But do go to the above link.  It has some great pictures as well as text and is well worth your time! You can click on the footnote numbers to see the Wikipedia sources.  

 Here is a portrait of Francis Scott Key: 

THE TEDDY BEARS PICNIC LYRICS -- A SONG I ALWAYS LIKED AND NOW I KNOW WHO WROTE IT!

[Verse]

If you go down in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise

If you go down in the woods today, you better go in disguise

For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain

Because today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

[Verse]

Every teddy bear who's been good is sure of a treat today

There's lots of marvelous things to eat and wonderful games to play

Beneath the trees where nobody sees they'll hide and seek as long as they please

That's the way the teddy bears have their picnic

[Bridge]

Picnic time for teddy bears

The little Teddy Bears are having a lovely time today

Watch them catch them unawares

And see them picnic on their holiday

See them gaily gadabout

They love to play and shout, they never have any cares

At six o'clock their mommies and daddies will take them home to bed

'Cause they're tired little teddy bears

[Verse]

If you go down in the woods today, you better not go alone

It's lovely down in the woods today, it's safer to stay at home

For every bear that ever there was, will gather there for certain

Because today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Copied from:

https://genius.com/Henry-hall-teddy-bears-picnic-lyrics

                                                ###

"The Teddy Bears' Picnic" was composed by American musician John Walter Bratton in 1907 (originally as an instrumental piece called "The Teddy Bear Two-Step"). The famous lyrics we know today were added later, in 1932, by the Irish songwriter Jimmy Kennedy. [1, 2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Bears'_Picnic

https://www.thezoofactory.com/the-story-behind-the-teddy-bears-picnic-song/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_Bears%27_Picnic

                                                           ###

A BEAUTIFUL MELODY: JUNE ON THE ISLE OF MAY.

The Space Alien loves beautiful music and especially a song called June on the Isle of May.  The words are printed here and the tune is adapted from  Andante Cantabile second movement of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's String Quartet No. 1 in D major, Op. 11. It was popularized by singers like Connee Boswell and bandleaders like Tommy Dorsey.  Here are the lyrics so you can sing them too: 

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

###

WOULD ETERNAL LIFE BE A GOOD THING?

The Space Alien asked Your Editor about this thing called "Eternal Life."  Your Editor's reply is below:

Dear Space Alien:

Lots of folks believe in "eternal life" and hope for this.  

When I am dead I want to be dead.  

Why would I want eternal life?  

What if I wanted to go to a movie or a play.  How would I pay for this with no money in my pocket?  

What if I wanted to go to a dance.  What would I do for dancing shoes?

What if I were hungry?  How would I pay for food at a grocery store or food at a restaurant, again, with no money in my pocket?

What if I caught a cold?  How would I get the boogers out of my nose without a piece of Kleenex at hand?   

This is a lot to think about.  And yes, I am thinking.  

I hope you are thinking as well!

                                           ###

WHY DID SOME PEOPLE CALL FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT A TRAITOR TO HIS CLASS?

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AI Overview

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was considered a "traitor to his class" because, despite being born into immense wealth and privilege, he implemented New Deal policies that severely restricted the power and wealth of the American upper class to aid the poor and working class during the Great Depression. Wealthy elites accused him of being a socialist/communist who destroyed American individualism, violated property rights, and "betrayed" his own patrician upbringing.

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Key ways FDR betrayed his class: 

• Targeting Financial Elites: His administration challenged corporate power, increased regulations on banking, and raised taxes on the wealthy to fund relief programs.
• Empowering Labor and the Poor: He supported unionization and created jobs through massive government spending, which favored workers over shareholders.
• Disrupting Capitalism: He brought the government into the marketplace, a move that was seen as a radical overreach by the upper class, though historian H.W. Brands argues it was a calculated move to save the capitalist system from collapse.
• Social Security and Public Projects: FDR championing the creation of social safety nets, such as the Social Security Act, that fundamentally altered the relationship between the government, the wealthy, and the working class. 
• The University of Texas at Austin
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The wealthy's hatred was so intense that in 1936, media reports described them as feeling a sense of "burning bitterness" towards him, a sentiment detailed in H.W. Brands' biography, Traitor to His Class.   ###