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somewhere over the rainbow lyrics judy garland

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz , is an iconic ballad that captures Dorothy's longing for a better place beyond her troubles. Its lyrics, written by Yip Harburg with music by Harold Arlen, evoke dreams, hope, and wistful escapism, resonating across generations.

Full Lyrics

Here are the complete, verified lyrics as performed by Judy Garland, structured by verse for easy reading:

Verse 1
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Verse 2
Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Bridge
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Verse 3
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?

Outro
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

These lyrics paint a vivid picture of yearning, with imagery like "lemon drops" and "chimney tops" adding a childlike whimsy.

Cultural Impact

This song won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1940 and was named the #1 song of the 20th century by the RIAA and NEA. It symbolizes hope amid hardship, even interpreted through Jewish immigrant lenses by its creators amid pre-WWII tensions—Arlen and Harburg drawing from personal heritage.

  • Debuted in The Wizard of Oz , nearly cut but saved by studio head Louis B. Mayer's daughter.
  • Covered by artists like Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (1993 ukulele version, over 1B YouTube views) and Ariana Grande.
  • Frequently used in films, funerals, and weddings for its emotional depth.

Behind the Scenes

Judy Garland, just 16, recorded it in a single take after one rehearsal, her youthful voice perfectly suiting Dorothy's innocence. Filmed on a farm set, it contrasted her real-life MGM struggles, including forced dieting and amphetamine use.

Forum Echoes : On Reddit's r/nostalgia (2020 post), fans shared synchronicities like hearing it play unexpectedly, tying it to loss and memory—e.g., "holy shit!! Im listening to music and over the rainbow just ended before i saw this." No major 2026 trends noted yet, but it trends cyclically online.

Fun Facts

  1. Originally titled "Over the Rainbow," the "Somewhere" prefix was added for flow.
  1. Bluebirds symbolize happiness in folklore, amplifying the "why can't I?" plea.
  1. In 2025 uploads, lyric videos on YouTube keep it viral among Gen Z for nostalgic covers.

TL;DR : Timeless escape anthem from Oz , full lyrics above—dream big, even if bluebirds beat you to it.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.