The Folks That Live On The Hill
Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern
| PROFILE | |
| Composer | Jerome Kern |
| Lyricist | Oscar Hammerstein II |
| Year Written | 1937 |
| About The Folks That Live On The Hill | |
| This song was written for the 1937 movie High, Wide, and Handsome, where it was introduced by Irene Dunne. Bing Crosby recorded it that same year. Peggy Lee recorded it 1957 for her album The Man I Love; it was conducted by Frank Sinatra. Other recordings include those by Diana Krall, Jo Stafford and Nina Simone. | |
Lyrics
Many men with lofty aims strive for lofty goals.
Others play at smaller games, being simpler souls.
I am of the latter brand. All I want to do
Is to find a spot of land and live there with you.
Someday we’ll build a home
On a hilltop high, you and I,
Shiny and new, a cottage that two can fill.
And we’ll be pleased to be called
“The folks who live on the hill.”
Someday we may be adding
A thing or two, a wing or two.
We will make changes as any family will.
But we will always be called
“The folks who live on the hill.”
Our veranda will command a view of meadows green,
The sort of view that seems to want to be seen.
And when the kids grow up and leave us,
We’ll sit and look at the same old view, just we two.
Darby and Joan who, used to be Jack and Jill,
The folks like to be called
What they have always been called,
“The folks who live on the hill.”
Session / Album Information
1989
“The Folks That Live On The Hill” was recorded on May 18, 1989 and was released the following year on Astoria: Portrait of the Artist. It was arranged and conducted by Jorge Calandrelli.
This recording released on:
- 1990: Columbia CD: CK 45348 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist
- 1990: CBS/Sony CD: CSCS-5057 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist [Japan]
- 1990: CBS LP 12″: 4660051 — Astoria. Portrait Of The Artist [UK]
- 2011: Disc #57 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK56) Astoria: Portrait of the Artist
- 2013: Sony Music Entertainment: 98381 — Astoria: Portrait Of The Artist