A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

A_Nightingale_Sang_in_Berkeley_Square
PROFILE
Composer Manny Sherwin
Lyricist Eric Mashwitz
Year Written 1939
About A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
This song a favorite romantic British ballad. It was introduced in London in the 1940 revue New Faces by Judy Campbell. Glenn Miller recorded it with Bob Eberly and introduced the song to American audiences. The song was quite popular during World War II and was recorded widely during that period. Significant recordings include those by Ray Noble, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé, Anita O’Day, Rosemary Clooney, and Nat “King” Cole.

Lyrics

When two lovers meet in Mayfair, so the legends tell,
Songbirds sing; winter turns to spring.
Every winding street in Mayfair falls beneath the spell.
I know such enchantment can be, ‘cos it happened one evening to me:

That certain night, the night we met,
There was magic abroad in the air,
There were angels dining at the Ritz,
And a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

I may be right, I may be wrong,
But I’m perfectly willing to swear
That when you turned and smiled at me
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.

The moon that lingered over London town,
Poor puzzled moon, he wore a frown.
How could he know we two were so in love?
The whole darn world seemed upside down

The streets of town were paved with stars;
It was such a romantic affair.
And, as we kissed and said ‘goodnight’,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

When dawn came stealing up all gold and blue
To interrupt our rendezvous,
I still remember how you smiled and said,
“Was that a dream or was it true?”

Our homeward step was just as light
As the tap-dancing feet of Astaire
And, like an echo far away,
A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square

I know ‘cos I was there,
That night in Berkeley Square.

Session / Album Information

1992

“A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” was recorded in June 1992 and was released that year on Perfectly Frank. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square

Listen to A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square on Spotify. Tony Bennett · Song · 1992.

This recording released on:

  • 1992: Columbia CD: CK 52965 — Perfectly Frank
  • 1992: CBS/Sony CD: SRCS-6565 — Perfectly Frank [Japan]
  • 2011: Disc #58 in The Tony Bennett Complete Collection (88697874602-JK57) Perfectly Frank

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