(Ah, the Apple Trees) When the World Was Young
"(Ah, the Apple Trees) When the World Was Young" is a popular song composed by M. Philippe-Gérard, with lyrics by poet Angèle Vannier. The English lyrics were written by Johnny Mercer. The original French title was "Le Chevalier de Paris". Apart from a reference to apples, the English lyrics have nothing to do with the French original poem.
English lyrics were originally written by Carl Sigman, but these were rejected by the music publisher, Mickey Goldsen. Sigman suggested Mercer, and Mercer wrote the English lyrics (three verses and three choruses) in three days.[1]
The song is from the perspective of an aging Parisian "boulevardier"/"couquette", as they review their life.
Notable recordings
- Edith Piaf - as "Le chevalier de Paris" (1950)
- Marlene Dietrich - as "Die Welt war jung" (1962) (lyrics by Max Colpet)
- Bing Crosby - recorded in Los Angeles on October 4, 1951
- Peggy Lee - Black Coffee (1953)
- June Christy - Gone for the Day (1957)
- Polly Bergen - Little Girl Blue (1955)
- Jane Morgan - The American Girl From Paris (1956)
- Eydie Gormé - Eydie In Love (1958)
- Dinah Shore - Moments Like These (1958)
- Julie London - Sophisticated Lady (1962)
- Frank Sinatra - Point of No Return (1962)
- Nat King Cole - Where Did Everyone Go? (1963)
- Morgana King - With A Taste of Honey, as medley with "Young and Foolish" (1964)
- Blossom Dearie - Blossom Time at Ronnie Scott's (1966)
- Nancy Wilson - Lush Life (1968)
- Aretha Franklin - Soft and Beautiful (1969)
- Mel Tormé - Tormé: A New Album (1977)
- Mabel Mercer - Echoes of My Life (1980)
References
- ↑ Lees, Gene (2002). Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer. Hal Leonard Corporation, p. 216. ISBN 978-0-634-09929-8. Retrieved on January 24, 2010.
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