Fritz Kreisler - The Old Refrain - Deanna Durbin

Performer - Deanna Durbin
Music - Fritz Kreisler
Lyrics - Alice Mattullath

This song was written in 1915 and dedicated to great Irish tenor John McCormack. He made the first recording in 1916.

I often think of home Dee-ol-ee-ay
When I am all alone and far away;
I sing an old refrain, dee-ol-ee-ay
For it recalls to me a bygone day

It takes me back again to meadows fair
Where sunlight's golden rays beam everywhere
My childhood joys again come back to me
My mother's face in fancy too I see

It was my mother taught me how to sing
And to that memory my heart will cling
I'm never sad and alone while on my way
As long as I can sing Dee-ol-ee-ay

Though years have passed and gone, dee-ol-ee-ay
And though my heart is young my head is grey.
Yet still the echoes ring, dee-ol-ee-ay
And dear old memories forever stay.

This song will bring me visions full of light
And sweetest dreams throughout the darkest night
Of all that life can give, that song is best
I'll take it with me when I go to rest

And when at last my journey here is o'er
'Twill ring more joyfully than e'er before
For up to heavens I will take my lay
The angels, too, will sing dee-ol-ee-ay

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Deanna
• Durbin
• Fritz
• Kreisler
• Old
• Refrain

[ramqen951]

Sorry folks, it's gotta be Grace Moore for this one.

[violinthief]

Moore was a fine singer. Sadly, her version of this song has been removed from Youtube, so I cannot compare them for myself. On the other hand, Durbin, at the tender age of 13, outsang Moore in one of her signature songs, "One Night of Love". Upon hearing Durbin's performance, Moore declared that the young teen was a better singer than she.

[texasoperastar]

Another wonderful classic from the amazing Deanna!!

[uaneen23]

This was my Dad's favourite. I had the great opportunity to get a recording of him singing the Old refrain before he died.

PatCam2

[levismother]

what grace, what beauty. How beautiful the words are, and also, so sad. I lost my mother 12 years ago, and she used to sing this all the time. The end part where "and the angels too will sing de o le ay" is especially poignant to me, as Mum used to say when she had finshed singing, hopefully I will sing this in heaven some day. I'm sure you are, darling Mother. She taught me to sing, you know.

[lithium68681]

Wonderful! Thanks for posting.

[liamthedream]

Listen To Paddy Reilly sing it....he sings it in a more modern vein.

[wattever333]

wow, from a time when children actually liked listening to someone sing well.

[TheRealGneiss]

I didn't realise Jeanette MacDonald had recorded this so thanks for the info...

As for Deanna, perfection as always!

[erzbet07]

Fantastic singing by Deanna! I've always loved this song (it was my grandmother's favorite song). Deanna sings it so beautifully. Jeanette MacDonald also recorded it in 1950, but alas, her version hasn't seen the light of day on YOU TUBE yet. Thanks for posting. Deanna Durbin F O R E V E R!

[ramqen951]

I suppose i was being stupidly dogmatic.Sorry.

[ramqen951]

I didn't say that Moore was a better singer than Durbin i simply said her recording of this song was superior. I'm not referring to the now gone snippet on u-tube but to her official recording of the song which in fact has different words and is sung much more touchingly.Songs are, to a great extent, horses for cources, this is Moore's song.