Origins: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Oh how we danced... (Anniversary Song)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 02:37 PM

"Anniversary Song, song by Jolson and Al Dubin (1946), based on the Waltz "Waves on(or Over) the Danube" by Josef (Ivan) Ivanovici (Ivanovice) (1880)"
==========

The Ivanovici case gets weaker and weaker! Now he's named Josef. What happened to Ion? How much credence are we supposed to have in a guy named, essentially, John Jones?

No, I'm more convinced that ever that the composer was Emil Waldteufel. When I play the piece on my one-hundred-year old piano, I can hear the soulful gypsy violin in the minor part and can see the dancing girls entering during the jolly part. They are holding hands using the basketweave pattern.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Oh how we danced... (Anniversary Song)
From: autolycus
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 07:26 AM

Sorry, iosef Ivanovici wrote the piece. The Waldteufel confusion has arisen because Waldteufel ORCHESTRATED Ivanovici's work. See the site of the Naxos record label. And all books contain errors, just like the 'net.

If you go to wikipedia - Ivanovici, there's a link to where you can hear the work.


Or shall we insist, in the teeth of the evidence, that we heard when young of Purcell's Trumpet Voluntary, and it shall evr be so for us? I'm intensely curious about the 'well, I shall continue to call it ...............' tendency. Is it about a clash between an idyll and naughty reality?






       Ivor

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Oh how we danced... (Anniversary Song)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 06:59 PM

Yes.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Oh how we danced... (Anniversary Song)
From: Mickey191
Date: 12 Aug 07 - 08:16 PM

I called "The Irish Show" (no longer on) a few years ago asking for the "Anniv. Waltz." The DJ said he'd play it next week. Next week I was corrected by the late Jim Johnson (great guy) & told it was The Anniversary Song. He played it and a few days later rec'd. a tape of Jolson singing it, "42nd Street" "Got a Date With An Angel" & "Sonny Boy." It was & is great. Million times better then RAP.

Thanks for the memory.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Oh how we danced... (Anniversary Song)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 13 Aug 07 - 07:44 AM

After reading this thread I just have to tell you this. Friday Aug 3rd was our 50th wedding anniversary. At one point in the day we put on our 'Jolson Story' video and when he sang 'The Anniversary Song' we waltzed around the living room. It was wonderful. Jolson sang it beautifully.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,nigel
Date: 31 Jan 08 - 06:28 PM

There seems to be some confusion here. The Anniversary Song is set to the tune of Waves of the Danube by Ivanovici (1845-1902). The tune Over the Waves (Sombre Las Olas) written by Rosas (1868-94)was used for the song (When you are in love) It's the Loveliest Night of the Year. Both songs have their bawdy alternative lyrics!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced.
From: GUEST,Proof that Ivanovici is the creator of this
Date: 05 Feb 08 - 12:26 AM

http://books.google.com/books?id=VhV1u2oIb-QC&pg=PA30&lpg=PA30&dq=anniversary+song+ion&source=web&ots=CxSD_YxnLe&sig=sktbtPFl52bgCYkStbImrQ4VIZA

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,Rogelio
Date: 02 May 08 - 04:21 PM

I too am looking for the Spanish version title. I know it's out there. someone has got to know it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced.
From: GUEST
Date: 05 May 08 - 04:00 PM

I FOUND THE SPANISH VERSION!!

it's called "RONDA DE ENSUEÑO" by JOSE BASSO
you can purchase the mps at discos fuentes (google duscos fuentes) for $0.75

unfortunately the lyrics are more about a lost love, then an anniversary. but I hope this helps you all!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced.
From: GUEST,Mark
Date: 18 May 08 - 01:20 AM

No spanish lyrics found at this site
allrecordlabels

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,Rosie
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 11:16 AM

Oh how we danced on the night we were wed
We danced and we danced then we jumped into bed.

Thanks to Ruth for this version.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced.
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 06:54 AM

My mother often told us, her kids, that she saw Jolson live in a New York Theatre and heard him sing what she called "Donna Wellen".That was in the 1920s and long before that biog film of Al Jolson was released.
In later years Mam used to sing it to us as she "solo waltzed" round the kitchen doing her work, and would also play it on piano at times. I always associate the beautiful Jewish tune with her

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced.
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 08:03 AM

Delightful Thread - full of good memories.

What happened to the national Canadian Library collection? http://www2.nlc-bnc.ca/gramophone Too close too the UK and the solicitors?

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,Chris Gorman
Date: 13 Jan 10 - 11:53 AM

Oh how we danced is the tune Sobre las Olas by Juventino Rosas. The Piano music for this can be found at http://imslp.org/wiki/Sobre_las_Olas_(Rosas,_Juventino)

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: Janice M-K
Date: 18 Mar 10 - 05:16 PM

I found this thread through a Google search.

In the very early sixties, my high school choir performed this tune but with the title "Little Red Shoes." I faintly remember that our teacher told us it was adapted from a gypsy folk song. I know the tune and the composer (Ivanovici) are correct, and I've found a couple of references to it as "Little Red Shoes," but none of the links lead me to the song.

There are other songs with this title, a nice Christmas song recorded by Jerry Butler, and another derived from Appalachian sources as recorded by Kate Bush-- but these are not the song I'm looking for. I'd appreciate any help finding this. I'd love to have sheet music, or the correct lyrics, for it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,CrackerJackLee
Date: 19 Jun 10 - 03:16 PM

"Waves of the Danube" is a waltz composed by Iosif Ivanovici (1845–1902) published in Bucharest in 1880 and is one of the most famous Romanian tunes in the world. Jewish Composer Emile Waldteufel made an orchestration of the song in 1886. In the United States, it is known as The Anniversary Song, a title given by Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin to it when they published it in America in 1946 as their own composition and credited themselves as the composers with music by Iosif Ivanovici.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 11:28 AM

Nobody has corrected the post above that credits the "Oh how we danced" song from The Jolson Story, the true topic of this thread, to "Al Jolson & Al Dubin, 1946". That is a confusion. Al Dubin died in 1945. The lyrics he wrote were for the other song, "Tell me you will always dance..." (music David Franklin, 1941). The lyrics and music for the song this thread is concerned with were a collaboration by Jolson himself and Saul Chaplin.

Hope that is now all clear!


♫♫ ~Michael~♪♩♪

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 01:35 PM

Another correction: In the lyrics posted much earlier in this thread, I believe the line "Could we but relive..." should actually be "Could we but recall..."

At least I'm pretty certain that's the way Al Jolson sang it in the movie and on the old 78 I still have somewhere in my record cabinet.

Jay

Subject: Lyr Add: THE ANNIVERSARY SONG (Jolson/Chaplin)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 07:56 PM

Sorry, BrooklynJay, but I think the words quoted above (and repeated here) are probably correct. It seems silly replacing "Could be but relive" with "Could we but recall" as the previous verse has made clear that the singer can recall the occasion.


THE ANNIVERSARY WALTZ SONG
Music and lyrics by Cliff Friend Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin

Oh, how we danced
On the night we were wed
We vowed our true love
Though a word wasn't said

The world was in bloom
There were stars in the skies
Except for the few
That were there in your eyes
Dear, as I held you
So close in my arms
Angels were singing
A hymn to your charms
Two hearts gently beating
Were murmuring low
"My darling, I love you so."

The night seemed to fade
Into blossoming dawn
The sun shone anew
But the dance lingered on
Could we but relive that
Sweet moment sublime
We'd find that our love
Is unaltered by time

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 06 Feb 11 - 04:12 AM

Just played my old Decca 78 and the word is definitely "recall."

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: Jack Campin
Date: 06 Feb 11 - 06:12 AM

Assuming the Wikipedia article is accurate, it fixes a misunderstanding I've had for years. I thought Ivanovici was a musician in Johann Strauss II's orchestra, which is why his waltz was so easily attributed to someone else. Seems not.

It might be interesting to try some of his other tunes.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: PHJim
Date: 08 Aug 11 - 01:32 PM

As posted above, a lot of confusion can result when people interchange song titles. It's even worse when two songs have the same title.
A few years back we were celebrating my Aunt Vera's 90th birthday and she requested that we sing her favourite song, Have I Told You Lately That I Love You. I assumed (correctly) that it was the Scotty Wiseman song from 1945 that Bing Crosby recorded, but some of her relatives were only familiar with the Van Morrison song of the same title recorded by Rod Stewart. It's a good job that I sent out the chords and lyrics or half the family would have been rehearsing the wrong song.

By the way, Vera will be 99 this coming October.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,John
Date: 11 Jul 14 - 08:32 AM

You will find it being sung by Al Jolson ( I have it on his CD 30 Greatest Hits)
The title is
THE ANNERVERSARY SONG

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 02:34 AM

This is published in the book "The Jewish`Ukulele" and the name is the Chanesse Valtz.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 09:31 PM

"Chanesse"? More likely "Chassene".

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Mar 15 - 06:54 AM

"The Anniversary Song" is the first theme of a four-part Viennese-style waltz by the Romanian composer Ion (or Iosif) Ivonovici called "Waves of the Danube" and published in 1880. Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin popularised "The Anniversary Song" in the USA with their adaptation of this theme in 1946. The other three themes in "Waves of the Danube" are pleasant but - to my ear - don't have the same resonance as the first part.

And if you want to hear it played on tenor guitar, mandolin, guitar and acoustic bass, here it is:

The Anniversary Song

Subject: RE: Origins: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Jan 23 - 09:15 PM

I'll have to reformat this later, but look at this:
http://archive.chazzanut.com/jewish-music/msg18745.html

  >Yiddish lyrics by Chaim Tauber. (The original copyright was granted to the 
  >arranger, Henry Lefkowitch, in 1947.)  Tauber's text (including an 
  >additional verse that may or may not be his) is as follows:
  >
  >       Akh, yene nakht, yene gliklikhe nakht
  >       hot freyd on a shir far undz beyde gebrakht.
  >       Tsum ershtn mol ven ikh hob dikh gezen [gezeyn],
  >       geshpilt hot dan di muzik azoy sheyn.
  >
  >               Tsvey yunge hertser mir zenen geven [geveyn],
  >               libes gefiln umshuldik un reyn.
  >               Gedrikt hob ikh dir azoy tsertlikh tsu mir,
  >               zikh ayngelibt bald in dir.
  >
  >               Koym zikh dervart, fun der shul nor aroys,
  >               gefayert a khasene, glik azoy groys.
  >               Gedenkstu di nakht, s'hot geshpilt di muzik,
  >               dem zelbn valts fun glik.
  >
  >       Kum, tants mit mir undzer valts fun amol,
  >       Gehat nor mit dir hob ikh glik on a tsol.
  >       Biz in mayn toyt blaybt mir liber fun alts
  >       fun yener nakht undzer khasene valts.
  >
  >Tsugegebener ferz:
  >
  >       Lebt nokh di nakht azoy frish vi amol,
  >       freyd un layd durkhgemakht hobn mir on a tsol.
  >       Khotsh zilber di hor un di fis oykh shoyn mid,
  >       In harts klingt gor klor fun dem tants undzer lid.
  >
  >
  >Some variants can be found in vol. 3 and 7 of  MENDELE
  >.

Subject: RE: Origins: Anniversary Song: 'Oh how we danced...'
From: GUEST,threelegsoman
Date: 05 Jan 23 - 11:10 AM

Seemingly lots of confusion as to which song this is.
It is the Anniversary Song which was originally a Romanian waltz tune called Waves of the Danube, written in 1880 by Iosif Ivanovici to which Al Jolson and Saul Chaplin added lyrics in 1946, claiming the entire work as their own!
My own version of it I uploaded in 2013:

The Anniversary Song