Mitchell Parish (July 10, 1900 – March 31, 1993) was an American lyricist.
Parish was born Michael Hyman Pashelinsky to a Jewish family in Lithuania. His family emigrated to the United States, arriving on February 3, 1901 on the SS Dresden when he was less than a year old. They settled first in Louisiana where his paternal grandmother had relatives, but later moved to New York City.
By the late 1920s Parish was a well-regarded Tin Pan Alley lyricist in New York City.
His best-known works include the lyrics to songs such as "Star Dust," "Sweet Lorraine," "Deep Purple," "Stars Fell on Alabama," "Sophisticated Lady," the translation to English lyrics of "Volare," "Moonlight Serenade," "Mr. Ghost Goes to Town," "Sleigh Ride," "One Morning in May," and "Louisiana Fairy Tale," which was the first theme song used in the PBS Production of This Old House.
Besides providing the lyrics to Hoagy Carmichael's "Star Dust," the two collaborated on standards such as "Riverboat Shuffle" and "One Morning in May."
Asahi News | 04 Nov 2021