I’m
Looking over a Four-Leaf Clover
As today is St.
Patrick’s Day, I was trying to think of an appropriate story to bring to you. I
began to think about shamrocks and four-leaf clovers. I didn’t realize there is
a difference between the two, but there is. It has been so obvious that I didn’t
even realize that fact before, so I looked it up on google and found this
information at www.forrent.com/blog/holidays:
“The
shamrock is a three-leaved
clover; the plant was used by Saint Patrick to illustrate the doctrine of the
Trinity. It has subsequently become a national symbol of Ireland. The word
comes from seamróg,
the Irish name for the plant. (Here’s a picture of a shamrock.)
“A
four leaf clover
refers to an aberration of a three leaf clover plant, “white clover.” The white
clover is a deep green flowering vine with white blossoms. It is the original shamrock plant of Ireland and the unofficial
state symbol. The shamrock already has powerful associations, and its
occasional production of an extra leaf makes the rare four leaf clover
especially.” (Here’s a picture of a four-leaf clover)
While
the Irish four-leaf clover may be white, we in America see them as green and a
four-leaf one can often be found among a field of “clover.” We all, well at
least I, consider them lucky, be they Irish or not.
I
had my own special “four-leaf clover” detective when I was growing up, my
father. He would walk with me through a field of clover and in the space of a
few minutes would reach down and pick one out of a bunch of what looked like a
gazillion ordinary clovers to me. He’d hand it to me for good luck.
“I’m Looking over a
Four-Leaf Clover”
I
could not think about four-leaf clovers without thinking about this song.
Remember it? I looked it up on YouTube and found the whole history of the song
in the process.
I
soon discovered that this song, the perfect Karaoke song, is probably the most
“prolific” song in terms of renditions that I have ever come across. I found
that just about every genre of music you can think of, with the possible
exception of opera, has their own version of the song. Starting in the 20s and
up to the present day, we see it appear again and again. I would venture to
guess that everyone of every age knows the words to this song. Can you sing it
off the top of your head?
“I’m
Looking over a Four-Leaf Clover” was written in 1927 with lyrics by Mort Dixon,
and music by Harry M. Woods. It was a number 1 hit on the Billboard chart and
in 1949 it was a hit for Art Mooney and His Orchestra. Can you sing along here?
While
the Irish four-leaf clover may be white, we in America see them as green and a
four-leaf one can often be found among a field of “clover.” We all, well at
least I, consider them lucky, be they Irish or not.
I
had my own special “four-leaf clover” detective when I was growing up, my
father. He would walk with me through a field of clover and in the space of a
few minutes would reach down and pick one out of a bunch of what looked like a
gazillion ordinary clovers to me. He’d hand it to me for good luck.
“I’m Looking over a
Four-Leaf Clover”
I
could not think about four-leaf clovers without thinking about this song.
Remember it? I looked it up on YouTube and found the whole history of the song
in the process.
I
soon discovered that this song, the perfect Karaoke song, is probably the most
“prolific” song in terms of renditions that I have ever come across. I found
that just about every genre of music you can think of, with the possible
exception of opera, has their own version of the song. Starting in the 20s and
up to the present day, we see it appear again and again. I would venture to
guess that everyone of every age knows the words to this song. Can you sing it
off the top of your head?
“I’m
Looking over a Four-Leaf Clover” was written in 1927 with lyrics by Mort Dixon,
and music by Harry M. Woods. It was a number 1 hit on the Billboard chart and
in 1949 it was a hit for Art Mooney and His Orchestra. Can you sing along here?
YouTube
Art Mooney: I’m Looking…
Nine
singers, including Arthur Godfrey, were among the top 20 on the charts with
this song.
Here
are just some of the genres I noted for this song on YouTube:
Big Band sound
Art
Mooney and his Orchesta
Ben
Bernie and his Orchestra
Paul
Whiteman Orchestra
Singers
Arthur
Godfrey
Frankie
Laine in his crooner style
The
Ames Brothers
Barbershop
Quartet “Acoustix” in the 90s from a Mitch Miller Barbershop TV special
String Bands
As
Dixieland
Many
Mummers style renditions including Alvino Rey in 1947
The
Uptown String Band on the Krantz label
Dance Styles
I
found a version that was probably close to a 20s style that was probably a
quick step.
I
heard a Samba-Jazz instrumental by Coleman Hawking
I
challenge you to find a more sung more versatile song on YouTube or even in
your own memory.
The
four-leaf clover my Dad gave me was always cherished throughout that day, but
alas, by the time we got home it wasn’t much more than green lint in my pocket.
As I think about those excursions today I now believe that the really good luck
I had was the opportunity to spend some time with my father, Ted. I miss him
and if he were here today I’d say “Graim Thu” which is Gaelic for “I Love You.”
Happy
St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!
From William Pease via Village Soup: Thanks, Sandra, for this wonderful, timely paean to an unforgettable song. I so wish I had known your father Ted Sylvester. Probably I did and my Alzheimer's disabled mind has left me with a complete blank that I cannot fill. I certainly knew very well your brother and my RHS class of 1952 classmate, Harlan, who was always warm & friendly and open to everyone he ever met. I can't think of him without a warm smile coming on my face, and for that I will be forever grateful. Not everyone elicited that automatic reaction, but Harlan certainly did, every time. Thank you, dear lady, for your research and writing skills. Sure wish I had them, too, to the extent you do so seemingly naturally.
ReplyDeleteBill Pease