Yip Harburg, born Isidore Hochberg on the Lower East Side of New York City, was the child of Yiddish-speaking Orthodox Jews who had emigrated from Russia. He attended Townsend Harris High School (as did I, many years later), so I have always felt a particular connection to this fabulous lyricist. Harold Arlen, the composer, was also the son of a cantor and joined Yip Harburg in digging into his Jewish roots to compose "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - a silent song of yearning for the promised land of their forefathers - Israel. We all know the Wizard of Oz, but I challenge you to close your eyes and absorb the lyrics through their original intention.

Voice: Lara Traum
Harmonica: Alex Greenleaf
Violin: Ljova Zhurbin
Piano: Dmitri Zisl Slepovitch
Bass: Jordan Morton

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Lara Traum

Related tracks