Long Ago And Far Away ~ Johnny Mathis

From "The Music of Johnny Mathis: A Personal Collection"
"'Long Ago and Far Away' is one of Jerome Kern's most haunting melodies--his 'last great masterpiece,' in the words of his biographer, Gerald Bordman," says Edward Jablonski in Gershwin: A Biography.
Composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Ira Gershwin provided the songs for the 1944 movie Cover Girl which introduced the song "Long Ago and Far Away."

Much to Ira's surprise "Long Ago (and Far Away)" became the biggest hit that he'd had in any one year, and sheet-music sales were over 600,000. No doubt the sentiment of the song was apropos to a time when families and lovers were separated by World War II. In addition to the six versions that charted, Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra also recorded the song in the '40s:
Helen Forrest and Dick Haymes (1944, with Camarata's Orchestra, 18 weeks, one week in second place)
Bing Crosby (1944, 9 weeks, topping out at #5)
Jo Stafford (1944, 14 weeks, peaking at #6)
Perry Como (1944, 7 weeks, peaking at #8)
Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians (1944, 4 weeks, peaking at #11)
Three Suns (1944, one week at #16)

Johnny Mathis Lyrics:

Dreary days are over
Life's a four-leaf clover
Seasons of depression are through
Every hope I longed for long ago comes true

Long ago and far away,
I dreamed a dream one day
And now, that dream is here beside me
Long, the skies were overcast,
but now the clouds have passed
You're here at last

Chills run up and down my spine,
Aladdin's lamp is mine
The dream I dreamed was not denied me
Just one look and then I knew
That all I longed for long ago was you

♫♫

Chills run up and down my spine,
Aladdin's lamp is mine
The dream I dreamed was not denied me
Just one look and then I knew
That all I longed for long ago was you

"Johnny Mathis-Long Ago And Far Away", sound recording administered by:
SME (thanks for allowing this to remain)
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[bufb]

Great American standard takes my breath away. Maybe my favorite of Johnny song

[cillolenick]

Love this great song, love Johnny Mathis and love this video... Thanks Bob!

[doctorwu]

Great song, great rendition by Johnny-a national treasure.
Thank you for posting.

[luft]

The late Lenard Bernstein, the famous composer, conductor was once asked what was his favorite orchestral instrument? His answer? The Voice. Maestro Bernstein must have been thinking of Mr. Mathis at the time. Great, nostalgic song sang by the incomparable Johnny Mathis. Thanks Robert. Well chosen, sir. 

[dottieku]

Another great song. I've only ever heard it being sung by Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly in Cover Girl. I love it!!