Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Strange Sheet Music


I came across this old sheet music by Irving Berlin yesterday while trying to get to Narnia in an old wardrobe. This is one of Irv's lesser known works and there is a reason he mentions Pink in his song. Story goes that Pink was expounding the Doctrines of Grace one evening on a train bound for Mobile, Alabama. Irving Berlin walked in not realizing a church service was going on and politely sat down in back. Pink ended his sermon and asked Irv if he would like to close in prayer. Irving Berlin asked everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes, then slipped out the back door of the train. Irving never got over his cowardice and later wrote this song. He sent it to A.W. with a hand-written apology and the first draft of "I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas" which Mr. Berlin later changed to "White".

4 comments:

  1. Little known history... It makes the movie come alive now.

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  2. Irving's "Gleanings from...his train...Exodus" helped him to later develop the poignant five part harmony so famous in Bing Croby's rendition of "White Christmas." A. Walkington later sent Berlin a "Guide to Fervent Prayer" in case within the "Patience of God" he would ever lead in corporate prayer especially on a "Christian Sabbath" or "Christmas."

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  3. That's great! Even funnier considering Pink's personality.

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  4. Hahahaha!!! That's hilarious! Did Bing Crosby sing it for him?

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