A few nights ago we watched It Happened One Night, a 1934 Clark Gable movie. (This was clearly the movie that all later romantic comedies have copied.) In one scene the characters on a bus sing The Flying Trapeze, and I immediately remembered every word (of the first verse). Afterwards, I googled and discovered that it is from 1867, by George Leybourne, a British singer and lyricist. Its about Jules Leotard, a French circus performer (who also made one-piece exercise garments popular). In the 1930s the song inspired a movie, was recorded in the US, and appeared in a few other places, including in the movie I saw. Since then it has been recorded many times. There are a few alternate versions (especially of the later verses, none of which I recall). The first verse, as I remember it, has a few differences from the Eddie Cantor version I am sharing: Once I was happy, but now Im forlorn Like an old coat that is tattered and torn Left in this wide world to fret and to mourn Betrayed by a girl in her teens. Now this girl that I loved she was handsome And I tried all I knew her to please But I never could please her one-quarter as well As the man on the flying trapeze! Oh! Hed fly through the air with the greatest of ease That daring young man on the flying trapeze His movements were graceful All girls he did please And my love he has stolen away And my love he has stolen away! Did you teach me this song, Florence Giuliano?
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:53:05 +0000
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