- published: 29 Mar 2010
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Harburg may refer to:
Edgar Yipsel "Yip" Harburg (born Isidore Hochberg, Yiddish: איסידור הוכברג; April 8, 1896 – March 5, 1981) was an American popular song lyricist who worked with many well-known composers. He wrote the lyrics to the standards "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," "April in Paris," and "It's Only a Paper Moon," as well as all of the songs in The Wizard of Oz, including "Over the Rainbow." He was known for the social commentary of his lyrics, as well as his liberal sensibilities. He also championed racial and gender equality and union politics.
Harburg, the youngest of four surviving children (out of ten), was born Isidore Hochberg on the Lower East Side of New York City on April 8, 1896. His parents, Lewis Hochberg and Mary Ricing, were Yiddish-speakingOrthodox Jews who had emigrated from Russia.
Isidore later adopted the name Edgar Harburg, and came to be best known as Edgar "Yip" Harburg. He attended Townsend Harris High School, where he and Ira Gershwin, who met over a shared fondness for Gilbert and Sullivan, worked on the school paper and became lifelong friends. According to his son Ernie Harburg, Gilbert and Irish dramatist George Bernard Shaw taught his father, a "democratic socialist, [and] sworn challenger of all tyranny against the people, that 'humor is an act of courage' and dissent".
After many requests, I am uploading this short clip which I use in teaching the basics of songwriting. It is a moving version of "Over The Rainbow" by the lyricist himself.
Wizard Of Oz lyricist did this wonderful one hour show in 1979, where he talked about his years at MGM and of course Judy Garland, This is several clips I edited together in which she was mentioned! I make no cliam to copyright! just a video from my personal collection!
Open domain (from the internet archive) Democracy Now! special on E. Y. Harburg, lyricist (actually more of a head screenplay-writer) of the Wizard of Oz and many other musicals, films and songs. Also a lot about his socialist, progressive populist anti-racist and pro-labor activism.
Open domain (from the internet archive) Democracy Now! special on E. Y. Harburg, lyricist (actually more of a head screenplay-writer) of the Wizard of Oz and many other musicals, films and songs. Also a lot about his socialist, progressive populist anti-racist and pro-labor activism.
February 24, 2014. The Yip Harburg Foundation Rainbow Troupe sing at Theater for the New City's annual Love N' Courage benefit for emerging playwrights held at the National Arts Club. Composer Jimmy Roberts introduces the melodies behind the music while the troupe--Ben Harburg, Jessica Mortellaro, Sherry Boone & Eric Poindexter--sing several songs from the Wizard of Oz including "Munchkinland", "Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead", "Over the Rainbow", "Follow the Yellow Brick Road"; the Great Depression anthem "Brother Can you Spare a Dime"; and "Lydia the Tattooed Lady". This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the Wizard of Oz, music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Yip Harburg.
"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931) They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob, When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job. They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead, Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread? Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time. Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime? Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime; Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime? Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell, Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum, Half a million boots went slogging through Hell, And I was...
Kaye Ballard and Arthur Siegel in a tribute to lyricist E.Y. "Yip" Harburg. A live performance at Michael's Pub in 1988. Part 1 includes the songs, "Fancy Meeting You," "There's a Great Day Comin' Manana," "Today's the Day to Make Way for Tomorrow," "Paper Moon," "Brother Can You Spare a Dime?" "Don't Let it Get You Down (Love is a Lovely Thing)," and "Down With Love."
Stephan Bogardus, Holly Rae Phillips, and Ben Harburg (as left to right in video) perform songs of social conscience written by lyricist (writes the words of songs) Yip Harburg. This is a concert performance by the Yip Harburg Foundation Rainbow Troupe, directed by Deena Harburg, for the Lower East Side Festival of the Arts, May 22, 2015, at the Theater for the New City, in New York, NY. The songs are titled "When the Idle Poor Become the Idle Rich,""Free and Equal News," "One Sweet Morning,""The Begat," and "Ding Dong, The Witch is Dead."
Taken from an interview with Yip Harburg, the lyricist for "Over the Rainbow" and many other songs, such as "Brother Can you Spare a Dime," and "April in Paris." Learn more at: www.yipharburg.com
Singer Allison Moorer sings Yip Harburg's 1932 "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" Part of a May 2, 2007, reading from Voices of a People's History of the United States (Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove) http://www.amazon.com/Voices-Peoples-History-United-States/d p/1583226281 or http://www.sevenstories.com/book/?GCOI=58322100666900