SONG OF THE DAY

“Lullaby of Birdland” (1952). Music by George Shearing and lyrics by George David Weiss under the pseudonym “B. Y. Forster” in order to circumvent the rule that ASCAP and BMI composers could not collaborate.

INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)

– The title refers to Charlie “Bird” Parker and the Birdland jazz club named after him.

– The song has been recorded by many vocal and instrumental performers, including Ella Fitzgerald (1954 chart record), Sarah Vaughan, Chaka Khan, Chris Connor and Mel Torme.

LYRICS

Oh, lullaby of birdland, that’s what I
Always hear when you sigh,
Never in my wordland could there be ways to reveal
in a phrase how I feel
Have you ever heard two turtle doves
Bill and coo, when they love?
That’s the kind of magic music we make with our lips
When we kiss
And there’s a weepy old willow
He really knows how to cry,
That’s how I’d cry in my pillow
If you should tell me farewell and goodbye
Lullaby of birdland whisper low
Kiss me sweet, and we’ll go
Flying high in birdland, high in the sky up above
All because we’re in love