Over the Rainbow

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Artist: Bob Tozier
School: North Allegheny

Notes:

This time-honored story tells that this classic song was nearly cut from the film, because the song slows the pace of the film. Most of the music in the film is medium-to-high energy, in contrast to this gently paced melody. However, the frequent instrumental references to the song throughout the film, including its title sequences, meant that any such consideration must have been short-lived. The song was, in any case, a favorite of the film's associate producer, Arthur Freed.

Part of the song was cut from the film. An additional verse was to play when Dorothy was locked in a room in the witch's castle, helplessly awaiting death as the witch's hourglass ran out. A rehearsal recording of the song survives and was included in the Deluxe CD set. In that rendition, Dorothy weeps her way through it, unable to finish, concluding with a tear-filled, "I'm frightened, Auntie Em; I'm frightened!"

That phrase was retained in the film, followed immediately by Auntie Em's appearance in the witch's crystal, and then replaced by the image of the witch, mocking and taunting Dorothy and then turning toward the camera and laughing hideously, directly at the audience.

Garland's tearful rendition of this extra verse was reportedly deemed so heart-rending that it was edited from the film, in order to spare young viewers from its powerful emotions, especially given the startling scene that immediately followed it.The song is often referred to as Somewhere Over The Rainbow, however the actual title of the song is simply, Over The Rainbow. The intro was never used in the movie, nor was there ever intentions of using it in the movie.Garland first recorded the song in July, 1939 and it was released as a single by Decca Recordsin September of that year. In March of 1940, that same recording was included on a Decca "Cast Album" entitled "The Wizard of Oz." Although this is not the version of the song featured in the film, Decca would continue to re-release the "Cast Album" well into the 1970's.

The North Allegheny Golden Strolling Strings performed this for North Allegheny School District's Opening Day Kick-off on August 22, 2007. I hope you enjoy this fantastic performance.